HP PCs - Using Microsoft System
Restore (Windows 8)
This document applies to HP and Compaq computers with Windows 8.
This document explains how to use and troubleshoot the System Restore feature in Windows 8.
About System Restore
System Restore is a software program available in all versions of Windows 8. System Restore
automatically creates restore points, a memory of the system files and settings on the computer at a
particular point in time. You can also create a restore point yourself. Then, when you use System Restore
to restore your computer to a point in time before an issue began, System Restore returns your computer
to the files and settings from the restore point. Your personal files and documents are not affected.
You can also undo a System Restore if the restore does not resolve the issue or if the issue becomes
worse.
Differences between System Restore and HP
Recovery Manager
Microsoft's System Restore is sometimes confused with HP's Recovery Manager software.
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System Restore enables you to change a collection of Microsoft Windows system files to a
configuration that existed at a particular point in time. No personal data files, such as email,
documents, or pictures, are lost or changed.
HP Recovery Manager enables you to restore the computer's entire software configuration to its
original factory condition. It reinstalls the original operating system (such as Windows) and
removes all other software and personal data files. When recovery is complete, only the software
that originally came with your computer will be available. You will need to reinstall additional
software and any of your personal files that were backed up.
Whenever the computer suddenly develops a problem, you should first perform a System Restore to try to
resolve the issue before performing a complete recovery using HP Recovery Manager.
Enable System Restore
Microsoft System Restore is enabled by default on most, if not all, HP computers that come with Windows
8. However, Microsoft System Restore can be disabled and can cause problems if you try to restore from
a previous point. To make sure System Restore is enabled, complete the following steps:
1. Save any open files and close all open programs.
2. Press the Windows key (
) + W to open the Settings menu, then type restore in the search
field.
3. In the search results, click Fix problems with your computer . The Action Center window opens.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make
changes to the computer, click Yes .
Figure 1: Action Center window
4. Click Recovery . The Recovery window opens.
Figure 2: Recovery window
5. Click Configure System Restore , then click Next . The System Protection for OS window opens.
Figure 3: System Protection for OS
6. Click Turn on system protection , select your hard drive, then click Apply . Then click OK .
Create a restore point
Windows 8 automatically creates restore points at regularly scheduled intervals and before many
software installations. If you would like to create a restore point manually, use the following steps:
1. Save any open files and close all open programs.
2. Press the Windows key (
) + W to open the Settings menu, then type restore in the search
field.
3. In the search results, click Create Restore Point . The Create a restore point window opens.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make
changes to the computer, click Yes .
Figure 4: Create a restore point
4. Type a descriptive name for the restore point that will help you remember when you created the
restore point. Then click Create .
5. The computer creates the restore point.
Figure 5: Creating system restore point
6. When the restore point is created, a window appears stating that the restore point was created
successfully. Click Close , and then click OK to close the system restore window.
Figure 6: Success message
Restore your computer when Windows 8 starts
normally
If the computer stops working correctly, you can restore it to a previous point in time when it was working.
Use the following steps to restore your computer’s configuration.
1. Save any open files and close all open programs.
2. Press the Windows key (
) + W to open the Settings menu, then type restore in the search
field.
3. In the search results, click Fix problems with your computer . The Action Center window opens.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make
changes to the computer, click Yes .
Figure 7: Action Center window
4. Click Recovery . The Recovery window opens.
Figure 8: Recovery window
5. Click Open System Restore . The System Restore window opens. Then click Next .
Figure 9: System Restore
6. Click the restore point that you want to use, then click Next . The Confirm Restore Point window
opens.
Figure 10: Confirm your restore point
7. Click Finish to restore your computer to a previous point.
8. Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. This can corrupt your hard drive and create more
problems. Click OK in the warning that appears.
Figure 11: Do not interrupt warning
9. System Restore returns the computer configuration to a previous point in time and restarts.
Restore your computer when Windows 8 cannot start
normally
Use the following steps to restore your computer when Windows does not open normally.
1. Turn off the computer and wait at least 5 seconds with the computer in a full off state.
2. Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second, until you see
the Windows loading screen.
3. If a language selection screen opens, select the language you want to use to continue.
4. On the Choose your keyboard layout screen, select the keyboard layout that matches your
keyboard type.
Figure 12: Choose your keyboard layout
5. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot .
Figure 13: Choose an option
6. On the Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced Options .
Figure 14: Troubleshoot
7. On the Advanced options screen, click System Restore .
Figure 15: Advanced options
8. Click Windows 8 as the target operating system.
Figure 16: System Restore
9. The System Restore window opens. Click Next .
Figure 17: System Restore window
10. Click the restore point that you want to use, then click Next . The Confirm Restore Point window
opens.
Figure 18: Confirm your restore point
11. Click Finish to restore your computer to a previous point.
12. Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. This can corrupt your hard drive and create more
problems. Click OK in the warning that appears.
Figure 19: Do not interrupt warning
13. System Restore returns the computer configuration to a previous point in time and restarts.
Undo a restore
Follow these steps to undo the restore and put the files and programs on your computer back to the way
they were before you used System Restore.
1. Save any open files and close all open programs.
2. Press the Windows key (
) + W to open the Settings menu, then type restore in the search
field.
3. In the search results, click Fix problems with your computer . The Action Center window opens.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make
changes to the computer, click Yes .
Figure 20: Action Center window
4. Click Recovery . The Recovery window opens.
Figure 21: Recovery window
5. Click Undo System Restore , then click Next .
Figure 22: Undo System Restore
6. Confirm that the date and time are correct, and then click Finish .
Figure 23: Confirm the restore to undo
7. Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. This can corrupt your hard drive and create more
problems. Click OK in the warning that appears.
Figure 24: Do not interrupt warning
8. System Restore undoes the restore and restarts.
What to do when System Restore fails
Use the following steps if System Restore fails to create a restore point or fails to restore.
Step one: Disable virus scanning protection
Malware scanning software can have built-in protection systems that prevent other software programs
from altering their structure - including System Restore. When System Restore is unable to use the files
of the scanning software, System Restore fails and the following message appears:
Figure 25: Error: System Restore did not complete successfully
To successfully restore your system, temporarily disable virus scanning and the built-in protection. To
do this, most antivirus applications have a system tray icon. If so, switch to the desktop view and rightclick the antivirus' tray icon to find options that allow you to temprorarily disable scanning or virus
protection. It is a good idea to unplug any network cables and disconnect from the Internet while your
virus protection is disabled.
Step two: Enable System Restore
If System Restore does not work in Windows 8, use the following steps to make sure System Restore is
enabled and active:
1. Save any open files and close all open programs.
2. Press the Windows key (
) + O to open the Settings menu, then type restore in the search
field.
3. In the search results, click Fix problems with your computer . The Action Center window opens.
If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide
confirmation. If a User Account Control window asks if you want to allow the program to make
changes to the computer, click Yes .
Figure 26: Action Center window
4. Click Recovery . The Recovery window opens.
Figure 27: Recovery window
5. Click Configure System Restore , then click Next . The System Protection for OS window opens.
Figure 28: System Protection for OS
6. Click Turn on system protection , select your hard drive, then click Apply . Then click OK .
Step three: Create a restore point
If no restore point exists on your computer, System Restore cannot complete. The No restore points have
been created on your computer's system drive error appears. This message also indicates that there is no
data to restore from and you cannot restore to a previous point in time.
Figure 29: Error: No restore points have been created