Windows System Restore. Windows System Restore Recovering Windows 8.1 without a disk

Due to the presence of viruses, driver or software mismatches, the OS may malfunction. If your Windows crashes, don’t rush to panic. The situation can be corrected by returning the state of files and programs to the moment when the PC was working properly.

While running OS Windows 7, 10 or 8, certain errors and problems may occur. As a result of such failures new launch operating system in operating mode becomes impossible. In this case, it is not at all necessary to do a time-consuming reinstallation of the OS. All you need to do is perform a system restore.

Recovering the OS using the recovery environment

When working we use the following scheme of actions:

  1. Reboot the computer, press the F8 key while loading;
  2. Troubleshooting;
  3. System restore, selecting an OS restore point;
  4. Click "Further" and again "Further";
  5. Press the button "Ready", we reboot the system (in the Menu, select boot with the last successful configuration).

There are several methods you can use to get your OS running again. Some of them rely on rolling back to saved settings. Others simply clear the data.

You can “reanimate” the OS in one of the following ways:

  • by selecting restore points;
  • using the command line;
  • through safe mode;
  • using a recovery environment;
  • using an image/boot disk.

Restoring the operating system using system “resuscitation” checkpoints is one of the most affordable, effective and popular options. To apply it, you need to make a series of clicks:

  1. Panel "Start";
  2. "System Restore";
  3. "Further";
  4. "Select a restore point";
  5. "Ready".

With such an operation, problems with the computer will be corrected, changes will be canceled and the system will be returned to the operating state that allowed the PC to boot normally. There is no loss of data, files and documents with this type of recovery. All data is saved. The operation is reversible. You can roll back the system to a previous computer state and use a different restore point.

Many people wonder how to make a recovery point on their own (manually) in order to choose it in the future? To do this in the same menu "Start" - "System Restore" You can create such a point yourself at any time convenient and suitable for you. It will be saved with the indication current date, which remains only to be remembered.

From restore point

In computer engineering there is such a thing as a recovery point. These are saved PC settings. As a rule, saving occurs automatically with each successful OS boot. Most easy way Windows 7 renewal is to use exactly this data.

Press F8 when your computer boots. This command will bring up a menu of system startup options. Next, you need to select the Last Known Good Configuration option.

Another method can be used. Go to the properties of the My Computer folder. Find the line System Protection, clicking on which will open the dialog box of the same name. Click Recovery – Next. We set a target date, indicate the disks that need to be fixed, and confirm the actions. After rebooting, the PC should work normally.

No restore points

You can fix problems with the OS even without restore points. To do this you will need to resort to the LiveCD program. You need to download it and burn it to a flash drive with the .iso extension.
Further all actions will take place in the BIOS. You need to configure booting from a flash drive. To do this, in the Boot section, select USB-HDD in the First boot device line.

Before proceeding directly with the recovery, copy everything necessary files on removable drive. The LiveCD program provides a special menu for these purposes.

We'll fix it system error using an archived copy. Connect the USB flash drive, open the Windows\System32\config\ folder. Files with the names default, sam, security, software, system must be moved to any other folder. In their place, transfer similar files from the RegBack folder and restart the computer.

The described method will only help if the problem is related to the registry.

Command line

You can resort to “reanimating” Windows 7 from the command line if the PC begins to freeze or works slowly, however, the system still boots. Enter the menu "Start" and use the right mouse button to run command line on behalf of the administrator. Run the rstrui.exe command, which will open the system restore program. Click "Further". In the next window, select the desired rollback point and click again "Further". Once the process is complete, the PC should work normally.

There is another way to access the utility. Let's go to "Start". To open the command line, click "Run" and enter the CMD command. We click on the found CMD.exe file and wait for it to launch. Next, enter rstrui.exe in the command line and confirm the action with the Enter key on the keyboard.

It is not always possible to play it safe and create OS restore points in advance. Problems may arise that block the option of such “reanimation” of the PC. Then you can use another, no less effective and easy option - restoration Windows systems using the system itself.

We rely on the diagram:

  1. Icon "My computer"- right mouse button "Properties";
  2. "System protection";
  3. In the new window click "System protection", recovery button;
  4. "Further";
  5. Select a restore point according to the date;
  6. Specify the system disks to be restored;
  7. We confirm the operations and reboot the system.

Restoring Windows 7 using Safe Mode

This method is preferred if the usual system boot is impossible. Then after pressing the PC power button on system unit hold down the F8 key to call "Start Menu". One of the "Menu" options is « Safe mode» . Select it and press Enter on the keyboard. As soon as Windows boots, we carry out the algorithm of actions that we described earlier.

System recovery Windows 8/8.1

If you managed to start the OS, you can resume Windows 8 via "Options". Hover over right top corner and enter them. Click on "Change computer settings" – . Chapter "Recovery" will offer several options:

  1. "Regular recovery with information preservation".
  2. “Deleting data and reinstalling the OS”.
  3. "Special option".

Decide what exactly needs to be done. Next, follow the menu prompts.

If you choose last method, in the window that opens, click on the diagnostics item. You will be offered the following options:

  • "Restore";
  • "Return to the initial state» ;
  • "Extra options". This item includes the ability to roll back to the desired resume point.

To resume Windows 8.1, press Win+R and call sysdm.cpl. In the system properties window in the tab "Protection" indicate the required system disk. Click "Restore". Clicking "Further", you will be able to see a list of rollback points. Select the one you want and click "Search for affected programs". Changes that have been made to the PC since the selected moment will be deleted. Complete the process by clicking "Ready".

If you work with Windows 8, problems may occur, incorrect work Internet, etc. To fix this, you can use the classic recovery method through restore points.

Another option is a system rollback. To do this, open the menu "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Center Windows updates» . Select an item "Removing updates". The same can be done using the command line.

So, in the list of updates that opens, we delete those from the moment of installation of which (we look by date) problems and malfunctions began. Delete unnecessary files and do a reboot.

You can perform a factory reset on Windows 8.1. Important files will not be affected during such an operation. The method is effective, but to implement it, the OS needs to boot without problems. We use the algorithm:

  1. Right side of the monitor - "Options";
  2. "Change settings";
  3. "Update and Recovery" - "Recovery";
  4. "Recovery without deleting files".

If you log in in the usual way You can’t, you need to use the disk with the system. Loading installation disk, select "System Restore". Press the button "Diagnostics", And "Restore".

If you have problems with Windows 10, press Windows + Pause. Go to "System protection" and press "Restore" – "Further". Select the desired indicator and click again "Further". When finished, click "Ready". The computer will automatically restart and the changes will take effect.

One of the advantages of the “ten” is the ability to return the settings to factory settings. This helps avoid having to install the system all over again. To reset your data go to "Computer Settings" – "Update and Security" – "Recovery" – "Return the computer to its original state". Click "Begin".

You can take care of the possibility of a rollback in case of failure in advance. You can create resume points yourself or configure their automatic creation at the desired frequency. To do this, in the settings, in the Update and security item, select Backup service. Specify where to save copies, click Add disk. After selecting the device, the function will be activated.

You can restore your Windows 10 system again by using restore points. In this case, the system will be rolled back to the moment when it loaded smoothly and worked without failures. This method recovery is described at the beginning of the article.

If the OS does not boot, a warning table with a key appears on the screen « Additional options recovery". Click it and select "Diagnostics" - "System Restore". We select a Windows restore point, wait for the system to roll back and reboot.

If such operations do not help and the computer continues to work incorrectly, you can roll back to basic settings. Some programs and utilities, personal PC settings will be reset, and personal data will be deleted.

This technique is used extremely rarely if the other options described above do not help. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  1. "Start" - "Selecting parameters"- tab "Updates and Security";
  2. Paragraph "Recovery"- button "Begin";
  3. We choose to delete all files or keep some of them.

Recovering the system after this will take 40-90 minutes.

Resuming using the installation disc

One of the radical methods of fixing the error involves using an installation disk. After launching it in BIOS, click System Restore. In the Troubleshooting section, specify the desired action. Next, follow the system prompts to complete the process.

Failures happen, and at the most inopportune moments. Incorrect settings or an error in the program lead to Windows stopping working correctly or even starting. A Windows rollback will quickly restore functionality. When asking the question about rollback, users mean several different things:

Rolling back the system to a point from the past will only change system files
  • returning the PC to its previous state before a failure caused by installing programs;
  • resuscitation of the OS after an unsuccessful update;
  • return to the original state of the OS.

Rollback Windows using restore points

Users asking a question about Windows rollback, in 7 out of 10 cases, they involve undoing changes made when installing drivers or programs using restore points. It's built-in Windows function to quickly resurrect your computer after a crash.

Let's look at the cases in which error correction points are created:

  • installation of applications;
  • changing important OS parameters;
  • driver installation;
  • update;
  • manual command launch by the user.

In any case, to roll back the system you will need control data. This method will only help in fairly mild cases.

Advice. You should not disable automatic point creation unless you are an experienced computer user. This will make solving problems much more difficult.

Windows configured as standard automatically creates backup files to undo the changes later. But the user has functionality for creating rollback points independently.

Consider a way to create a Windows 7 (8) restore point:

  • Let's go to the section for managing PC resuscitation. It is located in the Control Panel menu.
  • Click on change parameters.
  • To create a point, use the “Create” button at the bottom of the window that opens.
To undo unwanted system changes, you can restore your computer's state

This point will allow you to perform a system restore on Windows 7 or 8 using the same window.

If you need to perform a system restore on Windows 8, you should follow these steps:

  • Go to the control panel and find the section responsible for changing the PC resuscitation parameters.
  • Click on the “Run” button.
  • Select a point that suits you and start the error correction process.
Restoring the system to a previous state

Important! If the computer does not start, then try restoring the system to Windows 8 through safe mode.

You can return your computer a few days ago using checkpoints starting with Windows XP, but this method does not always work.

Rolling back updates

The company regularly releases updates for operating system. They are important for maintaining high level security and elimination of found errors. But the update may lead to failures, then you will need to roll back the updates.

There are three ways to perform a system rollback on Windows 8 if the update fails:

  1. Use management through the Update Center.
  2. Remove unnecessary packages from the command line.
  3. Use third-party utilities.

For novice users, only the first method is suitable. To do this, open the “Update Center”, click the link “ Installed updates", which is located at the bottom left and delete unnecessary ones.

On this tab you can remove the update

Important! If you reset the parameters, then installed programs will stop working.

Here is the procedure for resetting parameters:

  • Open the right panel.
  • Go to the “Settings” section.
  • Find the appropriate section in the list.
  • Run a reset while saving files.
Recovering your computer without deleting files

Recovery Images

Windows provides the ability to make a complete copy of the computer's state for restoration in the future. Such images are useful in case of critical failures, when you need to reinstall the OS in 10-50 minutes or you need to roll back the system back from Windows 8.1.

Let's consider what you should know before using this method of resuscitating a PC:

  • The image for PC resuscitation is present on laptops with the Microsoft OS installed upon purchase. It is usually recorded on HDD in a hidden section or attached on disk.
  • The user can independently create recovery images. It is placed in a hidden partition or written to disk.
  • It is allowed to include drivers and other files in the image.

If the image exists and the OS starts, then you can start system recovery on Windows 8 through the “Settings” section, using the corresponding function.

WATCH THE VIDEO

If the OS is not working, an image from the PC manufacturer allows you to restore the system through the BIOS, for which you will need to press the key combination described in the computer documentation. Now you know how to restore the system on Windows 8 and 8.1. We ask questions to the experts.

Sometimes, due to the installation of a program, driver, or virus infection, Windows may begin to run slowly or stop working altogether. System Restore allows you to return your computer's system files and programs to the state they were in when they were working correctly, and avoid lengthy troubleshooting. It will not affect your documents, images and other data.

There are times when it is necessary to perform a system rollback - restoring the main system files from a “snapshot” of an earlier state - a restore point or OS image. With its help, you can return Windows to working condition, but at the same time, all programs recently installed on drive C (or any other, depending on which drive the backup will be carried out), programs, etc. will be deleted. It is quite possible that adjustments were made during this period.

If you can login

Rollback to the last point

If, after installing a new application or update, only part of the system stopped working for you (for example, some driver crashed or a problem occurred in the program), then you can restore to the last point when everything functioned without failures. Don't worry, your personal files will not be affected.


Attention!

The recovery process will not be able to be interrupted once it is started. It can only be canceled after the process is completed.

Once the process is complete, your computer will reboot and everything will be as before again.

If the system is damaged and does not work

Method 1: Use a restore point

If, after making any changes, you cannot log into the system, then in this case you need to rollback through backup mode. Usually, in such cases, the computer itself switches to the required mode. If this does not happen, then when starting the computer, press F8(or Shift+F8).


After this, the recovery process will begin and you can continue working on your computer.

Method 2: Backup from a bootable USB flash drive

Windows 8 and 8.1 OS allow you to create boot disk restoration using standard means. It is a regular USB flash drive that boots into the Windows recovery environment (that is, limited diagnostic mode), which allows you to repair startup, file system or fix other problems that cause the OS to not boot or run with noticeable problems.


The backup may take quite a long time, so be patient.

Thus, the OS family Microsoft Windows allow using standard (regular) tools to perform a complete backup and restore of operating systems from previously saved images. In this case, all user information will remain intact.

In just a few clicks, you will return the systems to their original state, getting rid of the problems that arose after installing faulty drivers or buggy software.

Recover Windows without losing data

Soft Windows reset 8 is called " Recovery"(Refresh). To do this, first press the " Win+C» open « Miracle panel", and then call the menu " Options | Change computer settings" In the first version of Windows 8, the recovery function is located in the " Are common».

Here you will have to scroll far down the list. Windows 8.1 has better menu organization. In this system, click on " Update and recovery" and then to " Recovery" Function " Refresh» in Russian Windows versions 8 and 8.1 was called " Updating your PC without deleting files" Click the mouse on the button " Further» will start the Wizard's work.

Recovery from storage media

In the next step, your computer will start in the so-called recovery environment ( Windows Recovery Environment - RE). If this console is not configured on your PC, Windows will ask for an installation disc.

Insert the DVD or USB drive containing the installation Windows files. Windows RE will then analyze your hard drive, save your data, settings, and applications, reinstall Windows, and finally copy everything back to it. After the reboot, you will receive a “fresh” Windows with all the data saved during the update.

Hard Reset Windows

A real reset in Windows 8 is launched in a similar way. Open the Miracle Bar again and "Options | Change computer settings" On Windows 8, go to the " Are common", and in Windows 8.1 select " Update and recovery | Recovery" Function " Reset"here called" Delete all data and reinstalling Windows " Clicking on " Further" launches the Windows RE recovery environment, so keep the installation or recovery disk handy.

With such a reset, however, no data will be saved: Windows environment RE will erase and format all partitions and reinstall the system. Some manufacturers, such as Sony, have integrated a recovery function into their laptop menus that uses hidden section Recovery. On some models there is a separate button for this.

Recovery Image Configuration

The “Refresh” function does not affect only “tiled” applications; installed classic programs disappear. On your desktop you will be prompted to view a list remote applications, which can be used as a starting point for later installation of programs.

Professionals can take advantage of the customizable recovery feature. First, configure the computer to your liking, select the necessary parameters and programs, and then press the " Win + X"call the menu in the lower left corner of the screen and run " Windows PowerShell(Administrator)».

Confirm the User Account Control prompt and enter " mkdir C:\RefreshImage" After this, the command “ recimg –CreateImage C:\RefreshImage» create a new image that will be used for recovery.

Photo: manufacturing company

Although everyone understands that for stable operation of a PC it is simply necessary to keep its OS in working and healthy condition, sometimes the only way out is to restore Windows 8.1.

The recovery disk is a USB flash drive containing all the tools necessary to repair the system. It typically includes: Startup Repair, Updates, Reset, and System Restore.

To create a recovery disk, open the control panel and click on the “Recovery” section (the control panel is in the large or small icons view, this section is not in the category view). The top parameter of the window that opens is precisely responsible for creating the recovery disk we need. Click on it and go directly to creating the disc.

Clue. If you have a factory-preconfigured recovery partition on your computer, you can check the box to copy the recovery partition. True, this significantly increases the size of the recovery disk, and is only suitable for USB flash drives with a capacity of at least 32 GB, but it provides valuable additional parameter for emergency rescue of Windows 8.1.

Once the disk is created, you can start your computer from it and access recovery options. However, do not forget that USB boot must be enabled in your motherboard's UEFI firmware.

Attention. If you're using Windows RT on a tablet, such as a Microsoft Surface, you should definitely create a recovery disk containing a system backup image. There is no other way to reinstall Windows RT except from a recovery disk, so if an accident occurs, you have only one option - to return the computer to the manufacturer to re-image it, which in our reality is unrealistic. To create a recovery disk with a full Windows RT system image, you will need a USB flash drive of only 4 GB.

Backup and restore Windows 8.1.

Since the days of Windows XP, when problems arise with the OS, it has been considered common practice to completely reinstall the operating system and all software. There are now several other ways to ensure your safety. installed copy Windows and restoring it in case of a crisis.

Note. Windows 8 includes a tool for Reserve copy complete system image, Windows 7 has options for restoring files. This functionality has been removed in Windows 8.1. An alternative to these functions in Windows 8.1 was its own recovery option.

Repair Windows 8.1 using the Quick Repair option.

In Windows 8.1, Microsoft introduced new way creating a backup image that is so simple that any user can use it. This new option recovery creates backup copy operating system, which can be easily launched from the computer settings or, by inserting a recovery disc, from the OS startup options.

There is one important difference between the old system backup image and the new restore option. Even if you create your own custom recovery image, which, if anything happens, will restore all installed desktop programs, you will not be able to save their settings. This means that the software, e.g. Microsoft Outlook will be restored, but Accounts his Email will have to be configured again. Same with all other desktop applications.

However, most users don’t have to worry, Windows 8.1 synchronizes most of its settings, including for desktop applications, and the same Microsoft Office 2013 can synchronize its settings between different computers.

The easiest way to access the recovery option is in PC settings by selecting update and recovery there and then in the left navigation pane clicking recovery.

The recovery option is the first option at the top of the screen, by the way, there is an explanation of what will be done. When you are ready to restore your computer, click the GET START button. The process is fully automated.

Windows 8.1 will explain to you what will be done during the recovery process and ask you to confirm this operation. Clicking on the OK button will begin the action itself, which can take from 15 to 60 minutes, which directly depends on your created custom recovery image.

You can restore your computer during Windows startup 8.1. There are several ways to do this:

  1. If your computer fails to start three times, the repair process starts when you boot it up. If the computer cannot be repaired, he suggests additional features, including restoration.
  2. Starting the computer with a recovery disk; Please note that you may need to access boot options. You need to boot from a USB flash drive.
  3. Starting your computer from installation DVD Windows disk 8.1. On the settings screen, instead of system repair options, click the computer repair link.

Create a custom recovery image in Windows 8.1.

As mentioned above, you can create a custom recovery image. You may need to do this because by default, this function will update your copy of Windows 8.1, keeping files and applications intact, but will destroy all desktop applications.

Creating a custom recovery image will take a snapshot of your computer complete with everything software desktop.

Note. Remember that when you restore from a custom recovery image, all desktop program settings are reset, so you will have to configure them again, however, if their settings are not automatically synchronized between computers.

To create a custom recovery image, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Click Win + X by opening the administration menu.
  2. Select and run Command Prompt (Administrator).
  3. Enter recimg -CreateImage C:\Folder, where C:\Folder is the location where you want to save the backup. This place may also be on another section hard drive or on another drive. You can add additional fault tolerance to your recovery image creation.