User's Manual

224 Advanced Features
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• Manual checkpoints (created by you as needed)
Scheduled Automatic Restore Points
By default, System Restore creates a restore point every day that the
computer is running. If your computer is off for more than a day, a new
restore point is created the next time you turn the computer on.
Event-triggered restore points
Event-triggered restore points are created before key changes are made to
the system. System Restore automatically creates a restore point before the
following events:
• Application installations — A restore point is created before installing
an application program designed for Windows XP. You may wish to
create a manual restore point before attempting to install an older
program.
• AutoUpdate installation — When you choose to install the update, the
System Restore feature creates a restore point before the actual
installation of the update begins.
• Restore operation — The restore operation itself also creates a restore
point for undo purposes.
• Microsoft Backup Utility recovery — Before Microsoft Backup Utility
(only available in Windows XP Professional) performs a backup
recovery, System Restore creates a restore point.
• Unsigned driver installation — The INF installer of Windows detects
unsigned device-driver installations. Drivers that are signed
(electronically certified by the device manufacturer) do not generate a
restore point.
Manual Restore Points
If you are logged on to the computer as computer administrator or a user
with administrator rights, you may create and name an on-demand restore
point. (For information on types of user accounts, see “How to Add Users.”)
This is useful to create a checkpoint to return to before making a
particularly risky change, before leaving a shared system to other users, or at
a particular state you believe is optimal.
To create a restore point, perform the following steps: