On the PC we use a multitude of applications on a daily basis that allow us to carry out all kinds of tasks in Windows. We install these as the need and use of the equipment grows, but sometimes they can be a major focus of problems. Thus, these programs that we install, can translate into general failures in Windows , or even damage it significantly.
That is something that most of us unfortunately know first hand, as many of us have had to suffer the malicious applications that we occasionally come across. Well, the top managers of Microsoft are fully aware of all this, so they present certain measures to help us correct it. With this what we really mean is that Windows itself presents us with a series of implemented functions to help us overcome these possible problems.
In fact, in these same lines we are going to talk about one of the most important functions in this same sense. Specifically, we refer to the useful restoration points that Windows itself allows us to carry out. As you can imagine, these will be very helpful in the event that we detect any serious failure in the system.
How to access the restore points function
These can be given for a multitude of reasons: an external attack , its own failure, due to the installation of malicious software, etc. Therefore, what these Windows restore points allow us, is to return the operating system to a time when it worked without problems.
Well, to start we will tell you that to access this section, we can do it directly by typing Recovery in the search box.
This will give us direct access to a window that corresponds to the Control Panel of the operating system itself. Well, as we see in the beginning, in it we will obtain everything necessary to be able to manage in the best way the restoration points that we are talking about here.
How to create a recovery drive
As you can imagine, in order to make use of these restoration points that we refer to here, we will need to have access to the system as such. Even if Windows doesn’t work well at the moment, for whatever reason, you must boot to be able to use these points. But that is not always the case, since it may be the case that we cannot even start the operating system .
Well, to prevent this serious problem, the functionality we are talking about allows us to create a recovery unit.
This what it actually does is allow us to access the computer from another external drive in order to solve the problems that have arisen. Therefore, in this way, even if the computer does not start, we can access the operating system through this recovery unit, which we should keep in a safe place. Once the process begins, the first thing it does is detect an external drive that we have connected to the computer. This is essential, you must also have several gigabytes available to create this recovery unit .
Differences between restore points and recovery drive
Below we are going to talk about everything you need to create and manage Windows restore points. But first of all, what should be clear is the difference between these restore points and the recovery drive we just saw. To start, the first section, the restore points, let’s say they are a kind of backup that is stored on the PC’s own disk so that it can be used in case Windows does not work well.
As we will see later, we can create several of these elements, as well as delete or manage it and customize it to our liking. But of course, to be able to access all this, we need the PC to boot , and the system works, even if it is bad. But that does not always happen, since there are times when we can access the operating system, that is, it does not start. That’s what the recovery unit we just talked about is for. This is another system backup, but it is stored on an external device, such as a USB memory.
Thus, in the case of Windows not booting, we will have the possibility of using this memory as a recovery unit, thus making Windows return to a previous state in which it worked correctly.
Access the restoration points
First of all, we must be very clear that Windows restore points can be created in two ways. On the one hand, we must know that the operating system itself is responsible for creating these each time we make a major change. For example, when installing a transcendent application, or with system updates. But of course, in the same way we can make ourselves create such an element at any time.
Thus, in the event that we notice that the operation of the operating system is not correct and we want it to return to some previous state, in this case we click on Open restore system. At that time Windows itself shows us, or advises, a specific restoration point that we can use at that moment. At the same time it teaches us when it was created, as well as the change that took place for it.
But that is the one that Windows advises us to use, so we also have the possibility of selecting some other that has been created over time. For this, what we have to do is check the box Choose another restoration point that is located at the bottom of the window . At that time a list will appear with all the points of this type that we have access to right now. We will also see the date of its creation, or if they were automatically generated when installing or uninstalling something in Windows.
Therefore we only have to click on the one that interests us at that moment, and click on the Next button.
Configure the use of restore points
Change storage drive
In case you do not know, these elements that we are talking about here, how could it be otherwise, occupy a certain space in the disk drives, several gigabytes. That is why it may be the case that we want to save them in other units . By default this is something Windows does on the main system drive , usually C :. However, as we say, this is something customizable.
To do this, in this case we must click on the link called Configure system restore. In the new window that appears, we can see a list with the units of the equipment , but of course, in order for us to use them for this purpose, they must be enabled and valid for it.
How to create a point manually
It is also important to know that from this same window, specifically from the Create button, we have the possibility of creating a new restore point manually.
Once we have clicked on the commented button, all we have to do is assign a representative name to the element we are going to create. Both the time and date are automatically attached, so we can do without this information .
Customize the space to be used by the function
As we mentioned before, these elements take up disk space, so if they are created automatically, we should control this. In fact by clicking on the Configure button within Configure system restore, this is something that we can adjust. What’s more, from that same window that appears, we can activate or deactivate the functionality as such, in addition to adjusting the maximum disk space that we want to use from here.
In this way and making use of the slider bar that we find here, we will have the possibility of establishing a maximum disk space to be used by these elements. Keep in mind that as we allocate more disk space , further back in time we can go to restore a damaged system.