Windows is generally pretty good at updating itself without any issues. However, there may be instances where you have a hardware issue or install software that doesn’t work as intended.
You may even find you have a malware infection that stops your computer from functioning anywhere near as it should.
In our guide, you can learn how to use the restore computer to earlier date Windows 10 function, and fix any issues you may have. In most cases, it can fix your problems or give you a chance to back up any information before you factory reset computer and start again.
By the end, you should know how to select create for a restore point and how to use restore points to get your computer running again. (Read How to Install Active Directory Users And Computers On Windows 10)
If anything goes wrong, you will also see how to use the next step and other safe mode options to fix settings problems on a broken boot-up sequence.
How Do I Restore Windows 10 to an Earlier Time?
One of the main times when you need to take a step back to an earlier point in time is when a Windows update doesn’t work correctly or affects your computer.
Rollback a Windows Update
You can take a step back to repair your computer by merely uninstalling that particular operating system update that causes the issue.
- Open the Windows 10 system settings by selecting the Windows Start Menu and click the system settings gear icon. You can also press ‘Windows key+I’
- Click “Update & security”
- Open the “Windows Update” tab
- Select the “Update history,” and then click “Uninstall updates”
- In the next screen, locate the update you want to remove (under “Microsoft Windows”) and then right click “Uninstall”
Go Back Using a Restore Point
This option takes your PC a step back to an earlier point. You do this using a system restore point.
You don’t need to create a Restore point most times, as these are made automatically (and click the create button to do so manually) when you install new apps or drivers.
If you use this method to restore your PC, it doesn’t affect your files. It does remove apps, drivers, and updates that have been installed after the last restore point was recorded.
- In your taskbar search box, type’ control panel.’ Select it from the results list
- In your Control Panel search box, change the view to large icons
- Select System
- Once in the ‘Restore system files and setting box,’ click the System Restore button
- Select the restore point you want to use from the resulting points, you wish to restore. Click Next to scan for affected programs.
Restore Point Notes:
- If there is no restore point, you wish to use, select ‘Show more restore points’ to display more restore point options.
- If there are none listed, you may have ‘System protection’ disabled.
- Here’s how to check if you have system protection turned on.
- In the System Protection tab, you can see any hard drives on your system. Under protection, it will say ‘ON or Off’
- If none are ‘On,’ it is disabled
- Select a drive and click on ‘Configure’ here; you can enable or disable system protection and set the amount of space to use on your hard drive. Click the create button, and you manually create a restore point.
- If you have no restore points created, you may need to use another option. If your data isn’t backed up off your hard drive, now is a good time to do so.
If the Turn on system protection option is selected, continue with the on-screen instructions.
How Long Does it Take to Restore a Computer to an Earlier Date?
In most cases, it can take around twenty minutes up to approximately one hour, or a bit longer. It does depend on how far back you had your restore point set.
Will Restoring My Computer to an Earlier Date Remove Malware?
Unfortunately, using advanced options system restore won’t clear any malware or viruses from your computer.
It is possible to re-infect your computer using this method, or if the worst happens, you can find your system restore hangs, and you need to take further steps to get back to a working computer. (Read How to Scan For Malware On Website)
If you open system properties and follow the steps to reset the PC, then this will erase any virus or malware. Your Windows 10 will be as it came from the factory.
How Do I Restore My Computer to an Earlier Date Without a Restore Point?
If your device doesn’t start correctly, you need to use the Advanced start-up to access System Restore.
Booting into Advanced Setup
- Power on your computer.
- Once you see the Windows logo appear on screen, press your power button. This interrupts the boot sequence.
- Repeat step 1 and 2 another couple of times or until you see the screen change, and your device enters the recovery experience.
- You can use System Restore in safe mode from here, or if there are no points for you to select, you can use the later steps to reset your computer.
Accessing System Restore
To access System Restore if the PC won’t start, use these steps:
- Click the ‘Advanced Options’ button
- Click ‘Troubleshoot’
- Click ‘Advanced options’ and then click ‘System Restore’
- Click ‘Next’
- Choose any restore point on your computer
- Click Scan for affected programs and see the apps which will be deleted.
- Click the Close button and then click Next button. Make sure you click ‘Finish’
While this is mainly for Windows 10, the feature has been there since Windows 7 or Windows 8 version of Windows.
If your computer hard drive experiences issues or you have corrupted files, you won’t recover Windows, and any files not backed up could be lost.
If you need to reset Windows, use the guides here to perform a factory reset. You also have the option to do this from booting into advanced, though these steps are inside the Windows interface.
- Click your Start Menu, then select the gear icon to the lower left
- In the Settings window, click Update & Security
- Select the ‘Recovery tab’ then select Get started under Reset this PC.
- You now have 2 options. One is to keep all your files. Two is to ‘Remove Everything’ and start again.
Wiping everything is a good option if you wish to be sure no programs are installed, and you want all the settings back to the default. This isn’t a recovery method, and you do need to make sure all your data is backed up to date.
If you are about to wipe everything and need to backup your data online, you are best to do so using a VPN. These encrypt your data and are very handy against keeping malware from your computer. (Find the Best Australian VPN)
Once you create a restore point on a new installation, you should install a VPN right away. One thing is for sure, these premium VPN’s don’t affect your system properties, though it is wise to create a restore point after installation.
