Learn more about Windows XP Bring Your Own System Restore

First, the basics of system restore

By default, Windows XP enables system restore for all partitions. For non-WindowsXP system partitions, we do not need to use the restore function. To know that system restore is based on taking up a lot of hard disk space, the steps to restore some partitions are as follows:

1. Press the "Windows Logo+Pause/Break" key combination on the keyboard to call up "System Properties" window;

2. Click the "System Restore" tab, select a non-system partition in the "Available Drives", click the "Settings" button;

3. In the settings window, select the "Resume System Restore (T)" check box on this drive, and the disk space adjustment slider will be grayed out.

4. Also for other non- The system partition turns off system restore; of course, the system partition can adjust the usage of disk space through the settings window. If you do not want to use System Restore on your system partition, simply check the "Turn off System Restore on all drives" checkbox in Figure 1.

After this setting, we only use the system restore function for the C drive system partition. At this time, the partition root directory will generate a folder named "SystemColumeInformation". The file stored in this folder is the system restore. Backup file. If you use the NTFS file system format to install Windows XP, you will not be able to access the contents of the folder, only the folder properties.

Friendly Tip:

Under the default system state, the "SystemColumeInformation" folder is not visible, because it is hidden and has system attributes, and the system defaults to enable hidden protection. System files and have hidden property files. To view these files, click on "Tools → Folder Options" in the Explorer, switch to the "View" tab in the "Folder Options" window that pops up, and undo "Hide Protected Operations" in the "Advanced Settings" list. System (recommended) check box, then select "Show all files and folders" item for "Hidden files and folders".

Second, change the system restore automatic backup restore point cycle

In the default state, WindowsXP will automatically back up a restore point every 24 hours of system time, if you think this cycle is too long Or too short, we can make changes. Since the system does not directly prompt the setting options, we can only modify the relevant data in the registry:

1. Click “Start→Run”, enter “Regedit” in the “Open” text box, press Enter to open Registry Editor;

2. In the left tree, expand the primary key [HKEY_LOCAL_MacHINE\\SOFTWARE\\microsoft\\WindowsNT\\CurrentVersion\\SystemRestore] and double-click the DWord value in the right panel as "RPGlobalInterval". Modify the key value dialog box, enter the cycle time in the text box, the time here is in seconds, such as the default 24 hours you can enter "86400" (ie 60 × 60 × 24 to get, pay attention to the hexadecimal Please enter 15180,), users can refer to this data for modification;

3. Close the registry, restart Windows XP to take effect.

Three, restore files, some targeted

We only hope that the system restore is as much as possible system files, if there is important data in the system partition, and not in "My Documents", then we You also have to add these files (folders) to the protection list. Protection list? Maybe you will be confused: Windows XP has provided this function? Yes, it does, but it is directly hidden in the registry database, the old way:

1. Same as the above method to open the registry Editor;

In the left directory tree, expand the primary key [HKEY_LOCAL_MacHINE\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\BackupRestore\\FilesNotToBackup], then the right window already has related key items, add a custom file (clip) The method is also very simple, right click, select "New → Multi-string value", and then you can identify the backup folder in the key name of the key value. After two carriage returns, the Modify Key Value dialog box pops up in the text box. Enter the absolute path to protect the file (clip);

3. Close the registry, restart Windows XP, use System Restore will not overwrite these protected files (clip).

Fourth, use system restore

1. Open the "System Restore" tool: Click "Start → (All) Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Restore";

2. Create a restore point: After opening the system restore window, select the "Create a restore point" option, click "Next", enter "Restore point description", click the "Create" button, after a while prompts pop-up "Restore point has been created "The success of the prompt can be.

3. Using System Restore: There are two ways to use System Restore. The first one is directly through the System Restore tool: select the "Restore my computer to an earlier time (R)" option, click "下下" In one step, switch the restore point in the "@@@@@@@@@@@" and "@@@@dayu@@@@" buttons in the "2. Click on a restore point" button, in the corresponding calendar list Prompt date to determine the restore point, click "Next", continue to "Next" after some warning messages to confirm the restore.

The second is mainly used in the case of Windows XP system is damaged (even in safe mode), the last time the restore point is used:

After booting, if multi-system coexistence is installed Press "F8" button immediately after selecting "WindowsXP". At this time, many menu items will appear. Select "Restore the last normal configuration" to use the last restore point.