Create a Shortcut to System Restore

While helping a reader with something else today, I found a tip we wrote back in June 2016 that still works well on all versions of Windows 10, including Fall Creators Update. Because System Restore is a valuable tool that can help you recover from many near-disasters, keeping a reminder of System Restore in front of you is a good way to make sure you don’t forget it.

System Restore is one of the best, but most underused features of Windows. It’s been available on Windows computers since Windows ME. System Restore should be the first thing you think of when you notice your computer is not running like it use to, or like it should, or if it starts acting strangely all of a sudden. But Windows 10 users, keep in mind… don’t use System Restore if you have problems with a Windows version update (like going from Windows 10 Creators Update to Windows 10 Fall Creators Update). Always use Windows Recovery feature for that. Read this article for more info on that.

System Restore can fix a lot of PC problems by going back in time to before the problems started. When you first notice you’re having computer problems or something does not seem right – the first thing you should do is restart your computer. If that does not help, then the next thing you should think of is System Restore. And the sooner you call upon System Restore the better the odds that it will be able to correct problems with your computer.

System Restore can be run in several different ways, but, by default, it’s not right at your fingertips, so you may forget about it. We’re going to make sure System Restore is always right where you can see it, so when you need it you’ll think of it — and use it.

The following will work on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10:

1.Right-click on an empty place on your desktop
2.Choose New–> Shortcut
3.For the location of the item, enter:

control.exe sysdm.cpl,,4

(Make sure you enter it exactly as shown with the double commas. Best idea? Copy & paste it)

4. Click “Next”
5. Enter a name for the shortcut – System Restore would be a really great name ?
6. Click “Finish”

Now if you want to add System Restore to your Start menu (Windows 10) right-click the Shortcut and choose “Pin to Start”.

You can use this shortcut to access System Restore to:

1. Adjust the amount of space allocated to System Restore
2. Create a Restore Point
3. Restore your computer to an earlier time to fix recent computer problems<

With the shortcut to System Restore right in front of your eyes on your desktop and in your Start menu too, you’ll be sure to think of it if/when you need it. And it’s the 2nd thing you should think of the minute you start having serious computer problems. The first thing you should do is restart your computer. Then if that does not fix your problem, use System Restore. But remember if you have problems after a major Windows 10 Version update, System Restore won’t work to fix that, but this will.