Run System Restore from the Command Line
It sometimes happens that you install some new hardware or program which then wreaks havoc on your computer. You may experience unusual program crashes or error messages, and they can sometimes be difficult to diagnose.
Usually the easiest option is to run System Restore and return your computer to a state prior to the offending outsider. Sometimes your PC is so messed up that you cannot even get to the System Restore program, even in Safe Mode. Now what do you do?
Just because Windows has a nifty user interface doesn’t mean that you can’t run the program from the command prompt. Everything you can do from the graphical user interface can be done through a command prompt, so let’s run System Restore that way.
If necessary, you may need to start your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F8 during startup. When the boot option appears, select “Safe Mode with command prompt.” You can then login to your computer using an account with administrator access.
Once you’re at a command prompt, type the following command to run System Restore:
C:WindowsSystem32rstrui.exe
Now you’re presented with the familiar System Restore wizard, and can get your PC back to the way it was before everything went to hell.
6 Comments
thanks so much…i downloaded a f***** program and it messed my computer up…thank u sooooo much!!!
What does you downloading a program have to do with this article?
cuz this article got rid of the program and fixed his computer after that program messed it up
Oh, I misunderstood… wasn't sure if trent was being sarcastic or not. Sometimes I can be a tool.
It didn’t work, I couldn’t find system restore and now my favorite computer is now malfunctioning slowly and it may crash! Somehow my system restore was deleted it you didn’t f**king help me out! Good-bye favorite old computer! *CRIES*
What about reinstalling Windows? It will keep everything in "My documents" and move your windows folder to Windows.000 or something like that. You can get your PC back up and then delete the old installation.