When some newly installed program gets out of control and starts wreaking havoc on your system, it can be frustrating trying to get it back under your control. Luckily, there is a solution available for both Windows and Mac users that keeps files intact while undoing any negative system changes. Read this guide to learn how to restore your Mac or PC.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Restore Windows
Step 1. Understand how the restore process works
Windows creates a restore point every 7 days and every time a new update is installed. Windows can revert to its previous settings without affecting the files you've edited or created since.
System Restore does not back up files, so it cannot be used to recover files that have been deleted
Step 2. Start “System Restore”
Open the "Start" menu and type "System Restore" in the search bar. Select "System Restore" from the list of programs. Close all programs that are running on your computer during the restore process.
Step 3. Select the restore point
The "System Restore" feature will present you with a calendar or list of restore points on your computer. Select a restore point prior to the date your computer started malfunctioning and click "Next."
Step 4. Wait for the restore process to complete
When the restore process is complete, Windows will restart the computer.
Method 2 of 2: Restore Mac OS X
Step 1. Understand your recovery options
Mac has several recovery options, but in order to perform one, you must have previously configured a backup of “Time Capsule”. Otherwise, your options will be limited to repairing the hard drive, formatting, and reinstalling a fresh copy of OS X.
Step 2. Set up a “Time Capsule” backup
Connect an external hard drive to your Mac that is the same size or larger than your Mac's internal hard drive. If you've never set up a "Time Capsule" before, OS X will ask you if you want to set up the newly connected drive as one. Select "Use as backup disk."
Select "Encrypted Backup Disk" if you want to add a password to your backup file
Step 3. Wait for the backup to complete
You can schedule automatic backups and specify certain files in the "Options" menu.
Step 4. Restore a “Time Machine” backup
Restart your Mac and hold "Command" + "R" while the system boots. This will open the OS X recovery tool. Here you can choose your recovery option. Select "Restore from Time Machine Backup" to load the most recent disk image from the external drive.
- If you have multiple backups stored in “Time Capsule”, you will be given a list to choose from. Pick one that's older than when you started having computer trouble.
- Unlike the "System Restore" feature in Windows, you can use a "Time Capsule" backup to recover files that have been deleted in the past, as long as you have a backup from when the file existed.
Step 5. Restore without the “Time Capsule” backup
If you don't have a backup of "Time Capsule," then the only way to restore OS X will be by formatting it and reinstalling it. You can do this with the OS X recovery tool. Press "Command" + "R" when restarting the Mac. Select "Reinstall Mac OS X".
- Note: You will need to be connected to the Internet in order to successfully reinstall your copy of Mac OS X without the disc.
- Reinstalling the operating system will erase all saved data, programs, and settings.