How to disable System restore function in Windows XP
System Restore is a Windows application provided by Microsoft that allows you to return your computer to an earlier state if you have a system failure or other major problem with your computer. The main advantage of System Restore is that you can restore your computer to a workable state without having to reinstall the operating system and lose important information during this process. But why to use this feature ?
Perhaps you know, that every time you download or install a new software or drivers, you make changes to your operating system. However, sometimes these changes can make your system unstable. In case of change Windows XP records a snapshot of your computer which is stored to your hard disk. These snapshots are called restore points. For example, restore points are created at the time of significant system events like the installation of new devce drivers or software updates. You can use these restore points to return your computer to a previous state, when it was functioning correctly. Microsoft also offers users the ability to create a new restore points manually, or change the System Restore configuration.
But no matter how useful this feature, it has some shortcomings, one of which is, that if a virus infects your computer, it may be accidentally backed up and included in a restore point by the System restore feature. Here is the time to mention that most antivirus programs will detect the infected files but will be unable to clean them because the System Restore feature protects all files and folders in the Restore folder. This means that if you want to completely remove a virus from your operating system, you should disable System Restore before cleaning the system.
Follow the instructions below to disable System Restore. Note that you must be logged in as an Administrator to do this.
1. Right-click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and click Properties.
2. Click the System Restore tab.
3. Place a check mark next to Turn off System Restore on All Drives.
4. Click OK.
5. You will receive the following message saying that all restore points will be deleted if you continue. Click Yes.
To re-enable the System Restore feature, repeat the steps above, but in step 3 uncheck the Turn off System Restore on All Drives option.