If Windows Vista installed on your computer is not working properly because your system has crashed or has been infected with a virus, you can restore your Windows Vista system using the methods listed in this wikiHow. You can run System Restore, restore computer data using the System Restore feature available on the Windows Vista installer disc, reinstall Windows, or restore Windows Vista to factory settings. In addition to repairing your computer, you can follow the methods listed in this article if you plan to format your hard drive or restore Windows Vista to factory settings.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Running System Restore
Step 1. Click the Start menu and select “All Programs.”
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Step 2. Click the “Accessories” option and select the “System Tools” option
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Step 3. Click the “System Restore” option
” After that, the System Restore window will appear on the screen.
Step 4. Select the restore point option available on the System Restore window
You can choose a restore point (certain dates used by Windows to back up the system and Windows settings at that time) recommended by Windows or another restore point.
Step 5. Click the “Next” button
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Step 6. Make sure you see a tick next to the "C: partition"
/ when prompted to select the hard disk partition you want to recover.
Step 7. Click the “Finish” button
” The computer system files (files) will be restored to the previously selected date. This process will not affect any personal files.
Method 2 of 5: Performing System Restore Using the Windows Vista Installer Disc
Step 1. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the DVD-ROM
Step 2. Click the Start menu and click the arrow icon next to the lock icon
Step 3. Click the “Restart” option
” After that, the computer will restart and start the boot process from the Windows installer disc.
Step 4. Press any key on the keyboard when prompted by Windows Vista
Step 5. Select the language you want to use and click the “Next” button
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Step 6. Click the “Repair your computer” option
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Step 7. Click the name of the operating system you want to repair
The option to select may be named “Microsoft Windows Vista.”
Step 8. Click the “Next” button
” After that, the System Recovery Options menu will appear on the screen.
Step 9. Click the “Windows Complete PC Restore” option
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Step 10. Select the desired restore point
Step 11. Click the “Next” button
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Step 12. Make sure the selected restore point information is correct and click the “Finish” button
” After that, Windows will restore all computer data, such as system files and settings, to the selected restore point.
Method 3 of 5: Performing System Restore without Using the Windows Vista Installer Disc
Step 1. Turn on the computer
When the computer is turned on, click the Start menu and select the “Restart” option in the drop-down menu next to the lock icon
Step 2. Press the F8 key continuously while the computer is booting up
After that, the Advanced Boot Options menu will appear on the screen.
If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear on the screen, restart the computer and press the F8 key continuously before the Windows logo appears on the screen
Step 3. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the “Repair your computer” option
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Step 4. Press “Enter” key
Step 5. Select the type of keyboard display from the available options and press the “Next” button
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Step 6. Select a username from the drop-down menu and type in the Windows account password
Step 7. Click the “OK” button
” After that, the System Recovery Options menu will appear on the screen.
Step 8. Click the “Windows Complete PC Restore” option
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Step 9. Select the desired restore point
Step 10. Click the “Next” button
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Step 11. Make sure the selected restore point information is correct and click the “Finish” button
” After that, Windows will restore all computer data, such as system files and settings, to the selected restore point.
Method 4 of 5: Reinstalling Windows Vista
Step 1. Turn on the computer
Step 2. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the DVD-ROM
After that, the “Install Windows” window will appear on the screen.
Step 3. Click the “Install now” button
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Step 4. Read and re-check the Windows Vista License Terms and check the "I accept the license terms" box
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Step 5. Select the “Custom” option when you are prompted to choose a Windows installation method
Step 6. Select partition "C:
/ when you are prompted to select the partition on which to install Windows Vista.
Step 7. Click the “Next” button
” After that, the Windows Vista installation process will start and the computer settings will be returned to their default settings.
Method 5 of 5: Restoring Windows to Factory Settings
Step 1. Disconnect all external devices from the computer
External devices that must be unplugged include: printer (printer), USB flash drive (flash drive), and scanner (scanner).
Step 2. Turn on the computer
Step 3. Press the F8 key continuously while the computer is booting up
After that, the Advanced Boot Options menu will appear on the screen.
If the Advanced Boot Options menu does not appear on the screen, restart the computer and press the F8 key continuously before the Windows logo appears on the screen
Step 4. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select the “Repair your computer” option
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Step 5. Press the “Enter” button
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Step 6. Select the language you want to use from the available options and click the “Next” button
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Step 7. Log in to your Windows Vista account using your username and password
Step 8. Select the available options by which to run Image Restore
For example, if you are using a computer made by Dell, select the “Dell Factory Image Restore” option.
Step 9. Click the “Next” button
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Step 10. Check the box next to the “Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system software to factory condition” option
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Step 11. Click the “Next” button
” After that, the computer will be restored to factory settings.
Step 12. Click the “Finish” button when the recovery process is complete
After restarting, the computer can be used again.
Tips
- You can run System Restore when your computer is infected with a virus, malware, or other malicious program. System Restore will restore registry files and other Windows settings that your computer needs to work properly.
- If you plan to sell or give your computer to someone, we recommend that you restore your computer to factory settings. This is done to prevent others from accessing any personal data left on the computer.
- If you have reinstalled Windows Vista or restored your computer to factory settings, you should immediately reinstall the antivirus program on your computer to prevent malware and virus attacks.
- To run Image Restore, you must have a system image pre-created on your hard disk or a folder stored on the network. You can create a system image using the "Backup and Restore" feature of Windows Vista.
Warning
- Before performing the methods and steps listed in this article, you should first back up your personal files. Most of this procedure will delete all files stored on the hard disk.
- Note that restoring the computer using a system image will replace all files stored on the computer with the files available in the system image. This will replace your computer's programs, settings, and files with their previous data.
