Windows restore point file recover​

I. Windows Restore Point File Recovery

A Windows restore point is a snapshot of the system settings and files at a particular moment in time. It serves as a valuable tool for system recovery, allowing users to revert their computers to a previous state in case of software installations gone wrong, driver conflicts, or other system issues. Recovering files from a restore point can be a crucial process when important data has been lost or corrupted.

A. Importance of Restore Points

Restore points can prevent data loss due to system failures. For example, if a new software update causes a program to stop working properly, reverting to a restore point prior to the update can often fix the issue and restore the system to a functional state.

They also provide a safety net for users who are experimenting with system settings. For instance, if a user changes some advanced registry settings and the computer starts to behave erratically, a restore point can be used to undo those changes.

II. How Restore Points Work

Windows creates restore points automatically during certain system events such as software installations, Windows Updates, and some device driver installations. Users can also create restore points manually through the System Protection feature.

When a restore point is created, Windows takes a snapshot of the system state, including the registry, system files, and some program files. This snapshot is stored in a protected location on the hard drive.

A. Storage Location of Restore Points

Restore points are usually stored in the System Volume Information folder, which is a hidden folder on the system drive. This folder is protected by the operating system, and normal users do not have direct access to it. The files in this folder are in a proprietary format and are managed by the System Restore service.

III. Recovering Files from a Restore Point

A. Using System Restore to Recover Files (Basic Method)

Open the System Restore utility. You can do this by typing “System Restore” in the Windows search bar and selecting the “Create a restore point” option from the search results. Then, in the System Properties window, click on the “System Restore” button.

Select a restore point. A list of available restore points will be presented, along with the date and time they were created and a brief description of the event that triggered their creation. Choose the restore point that you believe contains the files you want to recover.

Start the restoration process. After selecting the restore point, click “Next” and then “Finish” to begin the restoration. Windows will restart the computer and apply the changes from the selected restore point.

However, this method has some limitations:

It restores the entire system state to the selected point, not just the specific files you might be interested in. This means that any changes made to the system after the restore point was created will be lost.

There is a risk that the restoration process may not work correctly, especially if the restore point is corrupted or if there are other underlying system issues.

B. Advanced File Recovery from Restore Points

Using Third – Party Tools

There are several third – party data recovery tools that can access and extract files from restore points. These tools are designed to bypass the limitations of the built – in System Restore utility.

For example, a tool like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard has the ability to scan the System Volume Information folder (where restore points are stored) and locate specific files that you want to recover. It can then extract these files and save them to a location of your choice.

Another advantage of third – party tools is that they often provide more advanced filtering and search options. You can search for files by name, type, date, or other criteria, making it easier to find the exact files you need.

Manual File Extraction (For Advanced Users)

This method requires a good understanding of the Windows file system and restore point structure. It involves accessing the System Volume Information folder (which may require changing some security settings to gain access).

Once you have access to the folder, you need to locate the specific restore point you want to use. Each restore point is stored in a sub – folder with a unique identifier. Inside the restore point folder, you can find the files and folders that were backed up.

You can then copy the desired files to a safe location. However, this process is complex and risky, as any incorrect manipulation of the System Volume Information folder can cause system instability or data loss.

IV. Precautions and Considerations

A. Backup Your Data Before Restoring

Before attempting to recover files using a restore point, it’s essential to back up any important data that you don’t want to lose. This is because the restoration process can sometimes lead to unexpected data loss or overwriting of files.

For example, if you have recently created new documents or made changes to existing ones, it’s a good idea to copy these files to an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.

B. Check the Integrity of the Restore Point

Not all restore points are reliable. Some may be corrupted due to disk errors, power outages during the creation process, or other factors.

You can check the integrity of a restore point by looking at the event logs. The System Restore service records information about the creation and any issues related to restore points in the Windows event logs. If there are error messages or warnings associated with a particular restore point, it may not be a good candidate for file recovery.

C. Understand the Consequences of Restoration

Restoring from a restore point can have far – reaching consequences. It can affect installed software, system settings, and user – defined configurations.

For example, if you have installed new software after the restore point was created, restoring to that point will uninstall the software. Additionally, any customizations made to the desktop, start menu, or other user interfaces may be lost.