How to create a restore point in Windows 8 and 8.1 easily?

Since releasing Windows ME, Microsoft designed the Windows operating system to track software installations, changes in drivers, and software updates, so that users get to revert their PCs to a prior state once they encounter a problem. Well, this is how the System Restore program came to be.

In any case, before Windows works to restore your computer to an old state, you have to choose from the available restore points. A restore point is basically a representation of the state of your computer files at a specific period.

By default, Windows is programmed to create a record of the changes introduced by a system or software event (or the alterations associated with them) in the form of a restore point, but things do not end there. You too can create restore points manually any time you like.

How do I create a guaranteed restore point on Windows 8 or Windows 8.1?

To create a restore point whose existence you can be sure of, you have to initiate the operation yourself. In this guide, we will show you how to create a restore point in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

Perhaps, you are about to perform a major system upgrade or execute a potentially problematic operation. In that case, you will do well to get a restore point that mirrors the current state or condition of your computer. This way (with the new restore point in place), if things go wrong, you can easily restore normality and lose nothing.

How do I create a restore point?

You can create a restore point manually using the System Restore utility accessed through the System Properties panel. Follow these instructions:

• Click on the Windows icon that is visible at the bottom-left corner of your PC’s screen (or give the Windows logo button on your computer’s keyboard a tap).

Type Restore point into the text field (that appears on the Windows Search screen once you begin to type). On the results list, you should see the Create a restore point entry, which you have to click on to continue.

Windows is supposed to bring up the System Properties window now on your screen.

• Assuming you are on the System Protection tab, you should see the System Restore menu. Click on the Create button (that is situated close to the bottom of the window).

If the Create button is missing or greyed out, then the System Restore feature is disabled on your computer. In that case, you have to get it enabled first. You will need to skip the instructions below, check the next guide and then move on to create a new restore point later on.

• Assuming the Create a restore point window is up on your screen, you have to fill the field for Name (for the restore point) with some text.

You have to use a name you can remember easily. We recommend that you add enough details so that you will be able to recall why the restore point was created.

You can include some information about the programs you installed recently, applications you are about to install, the changes you already made, or the changes you are about to make.

• At this stage, you have to click on the Create button again.

Your computer will now initiate the operations necessary to create a restore point. It might take a while (depending on the stuff you have on your computer, its specs, and so on). Be patient and wait till you see a message stating that the operation was successful.

• Click on the Close button.

Once the restore point has been created, it will show up in the list of available restore points in the System Restore utility, which means you will be able to select and use it to perform a restoration operation. The TYPE column will read Manual for the restore point you just created there.

What to do when System Restore is disabled; What to do when the System Restore or Create button is grayed out.

You have to turn on system protection to enable System Restore. Go through these steps:

• Bring up the System Properties window (as you did at the beginning of the previous procedure).
• Assuming you are on the System Protection tab, you should see a list of the drives available on your computer. Click on your system drive to highlight it and then click on the Configure button.

The System Protection for the selected drive window will be displayed now.

• Click on the radio button for ‘Turn on system protection’ to select this option.
• Drag the slider for the ‘Max usage’ parameter to tell Windows how much space you intend to allocate to System Restore.
• Click on the Apply button, then OK. Now, you can return to the previous procedure and continue from where you left off to create a new restore point manually (as you intended in the first place).

If the Turn on System Protection button is grayed out (or appears to be unusable), then System Restore is probably grounded with administrative rights. You might want to get in touch with your computer administrator, if you have one.

If you control the admin account yourself, then you can make the necessary changes on your own. We will show you how to use the Enable-ComputerRestore cmdlet to enable the System Restore feature.

Follow these instructions:

• First, you must log into Windows using your admin account. You must understand that a regular or local account does not possess the privileges required to execute the proposed operation.
• Here, you must launch an elevated PowerShell program window (one with administrative rights):

Use the Windows logo button + letter S key to get to the Windows Search menu. Type PowerShell

into the text box (that becomes visible once you start typing). Right-click on the relevant item on the results list to see some options and then click on Run as administrator.

The Administrator: PowerShell window should be visible by now.

• Type in the following code: PS C:\> Enable-ComputerRestore -Drive “C:\”

(where C: is your system drive. If your system drive is represented by something else, you have to replace the C: part of the code with the appropriate letter or symbol).

• Hit the Enter key. Windows will run the code now.

Invariably, the System Restore feature will become available for use on the selected drive. Now, you can return to the previous procedures you struggled with earlier and reattempt to create the restore point.

TIP:

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