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System Restore provides several types of restore points
The list below describes each type of restore point and how System Restore works with each type.
Initial System checkpoints
This restore point is created the first time you start your computer after you upgrade it to Windows XP Home Edition or when you first start a new computer. Selecting this restore point reverts Windows XP Home Edition and programs to the state they were in at that time. All files with data file name extensions (such as .doc, .htm, .xls, etc.) and all files in the My Documents folder are not restored.
If System Restore must remove all old restore points to make room for new changes, a new restore point is created and restore points creation resumes from that time.
System checkpoints
System Restore creates restore points on a regular basis even if you have not made any changes to the system. System Restore automatically creates these restore points:
every 24 hours of calendar time
or
every 24 hours your computer is turned on
If your computer is turned off for more than 24 hours, System Restore creates a restore point the next time you start the computer. The computer must be idle for a few minutes before System Restore creates a scheduled restore point.
Selecting a scheduled restore point restores Windows XP Home Edition and programs to the state they were in at that time. Any files with data file name extensions (such as .doc, .htm, .xls, etc.) and all files in the My Documents folder are not restored.
Program name installation restore points
When you install a program by using the latest installers such as InstallShield and Windows XP Home Edition Installer, System Restore creates a restore point. Use these restore points to track changes made to your system or to restore your computer to the state it was in before you installed the program.
Selecting this restore point removes installed files and registry settings, and it restores programs and system files that were altered by the installation. Any files with data file name extensions (such as .doc, .htm, .xls, etc.) and all files in the My Documents folder are not restored.
To revert the changes made by a program that does not use one of the specified installers, select the most recent restore point before the program was installed.
Windows XP Home Edition automatic update restore points
If you use Windows XP Home Edition automatic updates to receive downloaded updates, System Restore creates a restore point before installing the updating software. If items are downloaded, but not installed, a restore point is not created. A restore point is created only when the components start to install. Use these points to track changes you made to your system, or if these updates might conflict with other products on your computer.
Manually created restore points
You can manually create your own restore points in the System Restore Wizard. When a created restore point is listed in the Select a restore point screen, it includes the name you gave it and is prefaced with the day, date and time it was created. You can create a restore point when you like the way your computer is functioning or before you make changes on your computer, like installing programs, that might make your computer function differently.
Restore operation restore points
Each time you perform a restoration, it is a change made to your computer. System Restore creates restore operation restore points to track the change and the restoration. You can select these restore operation restore points in the Select a restore point screen in the System Restore Wizard to undo the restoration.
Unsigned device driver restore points
System Restore immediately creates a restore point if it detects that you are installing a driver to your computer that has not been signed or certified by Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). If the installation of the driver makes undesirable changes to your computer, you can select these restore points in the Select a restore point screen in the System Restore Wizard to undo the changes and restore your computer to the state that existed before you installed the driver.
Notes
If you restore to a restore point before a program was installed, that program does not work after restoration. If you want to use the program again, you must reinstall it.
System Restore does not replace the process of uninstalling a program. To completely remove the files installed by a program, you must remove the program using Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel or the program's own uninstall program. To open Add or Remove Programs, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
System Restore does not monitor or restore contents of redirected folders or any settings associated with roaming user profiles.
System Restore monitors and restores only the partitions and drives that it is configured to monitor, not partitions or drives that are redirected or excluded from System Restore monitoring.