When Windows XP stops functioning correctly, you may have no choice but to run a System Restore. Before you run a system restore, you’ll want to check for viruses to make sure that your PC issues are virus and not OS related.

Alternatively, you may also want to run the SFC (System File Checker) first to make sure that your protected Windows files haven’t been damaged. Using the SFC may allow you to correct the current issue without you having to do a System Restore. You can find out how to run SFC here.

There are many reasons why you would want to run the System Restore tool, for example, if software that was working correctly a day or two ago stops workings or is crashing often and reinstalling it isn’t correcting the problem.

All System Restore does is restore a system snapshot (also called a restore point), from a previous date, over the current Windows configuration. Please note that doing a System Restore may prevent software that you installed after a “Restore Point” from working correctly. The great thing about System Restore is that it will not affect data that you saved, like Word Documents or PDF files.

Here’s how to do a System Restore On Windows XP (Note: System Restore on Vista is even easier and very similar):

1. Click Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools
   
2. Click System Restore to start the System Restore Wizard
3. Click Next And Choose the Date When Your Computer was working properly (Available dates are in bold)
   
4. Click Next And follow the Wizard through the rest of the steps
5. Your Computer will reboot and copy the restore point over your current configuration

That’s all there is to it.

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