Almost every PC user sooner or later encounters a situation where the operating system does not start or begins to work incorrectly. In this case, one of the most obvious ways out of this situation is to carry out an OS recovery procedure. Let's look at the ways you can restore Windows 7.
All system recovery options can be divided into several groups depending on whether you can start Windows or the OS is so damaged that it no longer boots. An intermediate option is the case when it remains possible to start the computer in "Safe Mode", but in normal mode it is no longer possible to turn it on. Next, we will look at the most effective ways in which you can restore the system in various situations.
Method 1: System Restore utility
This option is appropriate if you can log into Windows in standard mode, but for some reason want to roll back to the previous system state. The main condition for implementing this method is the presence of a previously created recovery point. Its generation should have occurred at a time when the OS was still in the state to which you want to roll it back now. If you did not take care of creating such a point at the time, this means that this method will not suit you.
- Click "Start" and follow the inscription "All programs".
- Go to the folder "Standard".
- Then open the directory "Service".
- Click on the name "System Restore".
- The standard OS rollback tool is launched. The start window of this utility opens. Click on an element "Further".
- This opens the most important area of this system tool. This is where you have to select the restore point to which you want to roll back the system. To display all possible options, check the checkbox "Show all…". Next, in the list presented, select the point to which you want to rollback. If you don’t know which option to choose, then choose the most recent element from those that were created when you were completely satisfied with the performance of Windows. Then click "Further".
- The following window opens. Before performing any actions in it, close all active applications and save open documents to avoid data loss, as the computer will soon restart. After this, if you have not changed your decision to roll back the OS, click "Ready".
- The PC will reboot and during the reboot a rollback procedure will occur to the selected point.
Method 2: Restore from backup
The next way to revive the system is to restore it from a backup copy. As in the previous case, a prerequisite is to have a copy of the OS that was created at a time when Windows was still working correctly.
- Click "Start" and follow the inscription "Control Panel".
- Go to the section "System and safety".
- Then in the block "Archiving and recovery" choose an option "Recovery from archive".
- In the window that opens, follow the link "Restore system parameters...".
- At the very bottom of the window that opens, click "Advanced Methods...".
- From the action options that open, select "Use the system image...".
- The next window will prompt you to archive user files so that they can be restored later. If you need it, then click "Archive", otherwise press "Skip".
- After this, a window will open where you need to click on the button "Restart". But before that, close all programs and documents so as not to lose data.
- After the computer is restarted, the Windows Recovery Environment will open. A language selection window will appear, in which, as a rule, you do not need to change anything - by default, the language that is installed on your system is displayed, so just click "Further".
- Then a window will open where you need to select a backup. If you created it using Windows, then leave the switch in the position “Use the latest available image...”. If you did it using other programs, then in this case set the switch to the position "Choose an image..." and indicate its physical location. After that press "Further".
- A window will then open showing options based on the settings you selected. Here you just need to click "Ready".
- In the next window, to start the procedure, you must confirm your actions by clicking "Yes".
- After this, the system will be rolled back to the selected backup.
Method 3: Restore system files
There are times when system files are damaged. As a result, the user experiences various malfunctions in Windows, but can nevertheless start the OS. In such a situation, it is logical to scan for such problems and then restore damaged files.
Method 4: Run Last Known Good Configuration
The following method is suitable in cases where you cannot boot Windows in normal mode or it does not boot at all. It is implemented by activating the last successful OS configuration.
This method helps restore the state of Windows if the system registry is damaged or in case of various deviations in driver settings, if they were configured correctly before the loading problem occurred.
Method 5: Restoring from “Safe Mode”
There are situations when you cannot start the system in the usual way, but it boots into "Safe Mode". In this case, you can also perform a rollback procedure to a working state.
Method 6: Recovery Environment
Another way to revive Windows if you are unable to start it at all is by entering the recovery environment.
There are quite a few different ways to restore Windows 7 to an earlier state. Some of them only work if you can boot the OS, while others will work even if you can’t start the system. Therefore, when choosing a specific course of action, one must proceed from the current situation.
This option will help return the system to the state recorded at a certain point in time - the restore point. If saving such points is configured and enabled, then the system state will be recorded to the hard drive before installing updates, drivers and applications.
Returning Windows to a restore point will save all personal files, but drivers and applications that appeared after the point was created will need to be reinstalled.
To start Windows Recovery, right-click on Start (Win + X) and go to Control Panel → System and Security → System → System Protection. Click "Restore" → "Next" and select the desired restore point.
Another path option: “Control Panel” → “All Control Panel Items” → “Recovery” → “Run System Restore”.
If the restore point is not found, it means that system protection is disabled, and you will have to use other methods.
To avoid troubles in the future, enable the creation of restore points. To do this, in the same “System Protection” menu, select the system drive, click “Configure” and enable system drive protection.
2. Return the computer to its original state
If there are no restore points or going to them does not help, try returning the system to its original state. You can roll back while saving the files or completely delete everything and . Also, some computers - often laptops - have an option to restore factory settings.
In Windows 8 and 10, you can start restoring to its original state by going to Settings → Update and Security → Reset your PC → Get Started.
In Windows 7, to do this, go to “Control Panel” → “System and Security” → “Backup and Restore” → “Restore system settings or computer” → “Advanced recovery methods” → “Return the computer to the factory-set state.”
3. Restore Windows using a disk
A recovery disk is useful, for example, for rolling back to a saved point or returning to its original state if Windows fails. An ordinary flash drive, external hard drive or DVD can serve as such a disk.
The recovery disc should be written in advance and stored in case of system failure. Under Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → Recovery, click Create a recovery drive. In the menu that appears, check the “Back up system files to a recovery disk” option, and you can use the USB drive not only to fix errors and rollback, but also to reinstall Windows.
You can create a recovery DVD in Windows under “Control Panel” → “System and Security” → “Backup and Restore” → “Create a system recovery disc.” The same method works in newer versions of the system, only the name is different: “Backup and Restore (Windows 7)” instead of “Backup and Restore”.
To correct errors, boot the system from disk. In the recovery environment that opens, click Troubleshoot. Start returning to a system restore point in the “Advanced options” → “System Restore” menu.
4. Restore Windows using a full system image
Another option for restoring Windows is to roll back to a previously created system image. The image is written to a hard drive, DVD, or network share.
Unlike a rollback or point-to-point restore, using a full image preserves all files, applications, settings, and drivers installed at the time it was created.
The most appropriate moment to create such an image may be when all the necessary applications are installed on the system, but there is nothing superfluous. This way you can continue working immediately after recovery.
To create a full system image, in the Control Panel, select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) → Create a system image. (In Windows 7: Control Panel → System and Security → Backup and Restore → Create a system image.)
In the menu that appears, you can choose which of the existing partitions and files to include in the system image and on what media to burn it.
With a complete system image at your disposal, you can quickly return Windows to the state you want. You can start image-based recovery when you restart the computer: “Diagnostics” → “Advanced options” → “System image recovery”.
The Windows 7 operating system is reliable and stable in operation, but it happens that it may be subject to various errors and failures, or even “at one point” stop starting. There can be a lot of reasons for this: incorrect installation of drivers that conflict with the computer’s hardware, breakdown of individual components, software that is not properly optimized for the capabilities of your configuration, or an ordinary virus attack. Reinstalling Windows is not always the best way out of this situation, since it will inevitably lead to the loss of all data, drivers, programs and applications located on the system disk (and not only on it).
Below are four methods for the most effective recovery of Win 7 OS. The first three are needed when a failure has already occurred, but the fourth method will be useful for those who have not yet encountered such troubles and want to protect their computer from loss of functionality in advance and reliably save all important data.
Method 1: Recovering the system by loading the last known good configuration
It often happens that the computer was working fine in the evening, but in the morning it gives an unpleasant surprise in the form of a blue screen or a constant reboot with the inability to start the operating system. This can be either a consequence of “cleaning” the PC of viruses and spyware, or an incorrect termination of a work session (for example, due to a sudden drop in network voltage or a power outage). The most rational action in this situation would be to load the “last known good configuration”. In many cases, this simple step will help restore the computer's functionality, but even if it does not solve the problem.
Method 2: Restoring the system using standard Windows 7 tools
This option will also not take up much of your time, and in general does not cause any difficulties in implementation.
Important: to prevent the situation from recurring in the future, it is strongly recommended not to disable the “System Restore” option; it can be very useful to you.
Method 3: Restoring the Windows 7 operating system without “Restore Points”
A “restore point” is, in simple terms, a saved copy of the operating system that works without failures or errors. In other words, Windows “on its own” remembered its optimal stable state just in case there was a need to roll back during a critical failure. So, if, for example, you have already tried the previous method and made sure that the “System Restore” option on your computer was disabled and that there were no “Access Points”, then follow the following algorithm:
Method 4: optimal
For this method, you will first need to create a “Restore Point”. The well-known principle “prepare your sleigh in summer” applies here. The fact is that if you carry out a similar procedure yourself at least once every one and a half to two months, this will help to avoid many possible problems, in particular, reinstalling the operating system with the loss of most important data.
This is important: why do “restore points” disappear?
Even if you took care of the security of the operating system in advance and saved a stable copy of Windows by creating an “Access Point,” this does not at all guarantee that it will not disappear in the future. This trouble can happen for the following reasons:
- Various system optimization and cleaning utilities, such as Ccleaner or FreeSpace, can “destroy” the access point, mistaking it for unnecessary trash. To prevent this from happening, it is best to configure them (the utilities) yourself. The System Volume Information folder must be added to the exceptions.
- If your hard drive operates in a FAT 32 or FAT system, then the “Restore Point”, unfortunately, will not be saved, since these systems, in principle, do not save information about the changes made.
- Some laptops, when disconnected from the network, can automatically delete information about “Access Points” in order to save energy.
- If two operating systems are installed on your PC at the same time, for example, Windows 7 and the earlier Windows XP, then when you decide to run the “younger” version, it will most likely remove all “Access Points” of Win 7. Therefore, before you launch XP make the "Seven" unchangeable.
Returning to the fourth method
So, now you know how to create an “Access Point” and how best to secure it from accidental deletion and reset. Therefore, we return to our method.
Greetings, dear readers.
Computers often fail for a variety of reasons. If this problem is directly related to the operating system, the best solution is to reinstall. But what to do if there are important files left on the main disk or desktop? After all, when you reinstall everything, everything will be deleted. The solution is a tool such as Windows 7 system recovery from disk. This function allows you to restore the functionality of the operating system when the latter refuses to load.
In addition to a malfunctioning computer, we will also need a Windows boot disk. And this can be either a plastic carrier or a flash drive. Moreover, it is desirable that this be the same image from which the current shell was installed. Otherwise, due to a mismatch of versions, the process may not proceed.
If the element from which the current system was installed is lost, try to find it on the Internet on another computer. Download the disc and save it to your hard drive.
After the system image is on one of the partitions, it must be scanned for viruses using Comodo Internet Security, then correctly written to a portable device. To do this, use one of the many programs. For example, I like Rufus. The application allows you to complete the task as quickly as possible. It has an intuitive interface, so anyone can create a disk.
Procedure( )
There are many reasons why Win 7 can become so faulty that it stops loading. To solve the problem, you need to use a tool that allows you to return everything to its place. It runs through BIOS:
Reboot or turn on the computer.
After the first characters appear on the screen, press “ Del" The section we need will load. Sometimes the keys " F2», « F10», « F12"or others - it all depends on the motherboard manufacturer. The corresponding prompts usually appear on the monitor.
After getting to the right place, go to the “ Boot».
Here we need to set “”. We make sure that the computer boots from a portable device, be it a CD or flash drive.
After this, the system will restart and an inscription should appear on the black screen, which says that you need to use any button to start from the recovery disk.
Windows installation will then begin. We set the language, time and other elements. Click " Further».
We get to the main installation window. At the bottom, select the link “ System Restore».
Next, a search will begin for all installed operating systems on the computer. A dialog box will then appear with various options. Click " Further" As a result, we may be offered two options (it all depends on the initial distribution): a tool selection window or system diagnostics will start running.
The first makes it possible to choose one of several directions for future movements. You will find all the necessary information in the tips.
The second causes the tool to launch and attempt to fix the existing problems on its own. This usually takes some time. If everything went well, users can only reboot the device. You can find out the reason in advance by following the link “ Display diagnostics...».
Has your computer or laptop started to glitch badly? Or doesn't it turn on at all? First of all, try restoring the Windows 7 OS system. The operation takes 10-15 minutes, but it can really help. Indeed, in this case, the Windows 7 system is rolled back to a couple of days ago, when the PC or laptop was still working perfectly.
This is an operation during which all settings and system files are restored from a backup created by Windows. That is, if you accidentally deleted important files or changed settings (for example, installed a new driver), and after that the computer began to slow down (or did not turn on at all), then this can be corrected. It's at least worth a try.
Restoring to a previous version of Windows is carried out using checkpoints that are created every week, as well as after making any changes (installing or removing programs). Typically, this feature is enabled automatically. Plus you can create control points manually.
There are at least 3 ways:
- Windows means;
- via safe mode;
- using a flash drive with Windows 7.
Let's look at each of them in more detail.
When you downgrade Windows 7, all your personal files will remain in place. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about this.
But there is one nuance here. When restoring, files recorded between today and the day you decide to roll back to may be lost. Therefore, if you recently (today, yesterday, the day before yesterday, etc.) downloaded important documents onto your PC, it is better to save them to a flash drive. Just in case.
How to return the system back using Windows 7?
The first way to roll back Windows 7 is through the OS itself. But it is only suitable if your PC or laptop turns on. It doesn’t matter whether it glitches or freezes, the main thing is that you can load the desktop.
So, do the following:
After this, the Windows 7 system rollback will begin. When the operation is completed, the computer or laptop will reboot and you will see a message that everything was successful.
If this doesn't help, try enabling Windows 7 recovery by selecting a different checkpoint. But in this case, you will need to check the “Select another point” checkbox and click “Next”. And after that, the familiar window from step 4 will open.
Restoring the OS through Safe Mode
If your PC or laptop does not turn on at all, then you can try restoring Windows 7 startup in safe mode. To do this, when turning on (or restarting) the PC, press the F8 key repeatedly until the menu appears. Next, select “Safe Mode” and click Enter.
However, there are some nuances associated with different versions of Windows. Therefore, to avoid any difficulties, I recommend that you read –?
You wait until the computer or laptop turns on, and after that you perform all the same steps as in the previous option. That is, to roll back the Windows 7 system, follow steps 1 to 7 described above.
And the third method: recovery from a flash drive (or disk) with installation files
The disadvantage of this option is that you need to write it to a Windows flash drive, which is on your computer or laptop. And the plus is that in this way you can try to return the Windows 7 system, even when the PC does not turn on and safe mode does not start. That is, this is your last chance.
If you did everything correctly, the Windows 7 installation window will open.
Wait until the procedure is completed and click on “Reboot”. Then immediately pull out the flash drive from the connector (or the disk from the drive), after which the PC should turn on in the usual way.
By the way, restoring Windows on a laptop and computer is the same. So you can try any method you choose.
That's all. Now you know how to roll back a Windows 7 system. I hope one of the 3 methods will work and you will be able to restore the functionality of your PC or laptop.
