| Tutorials What are the pros and cons of using Windows System Restore to help remove spyware or correct spyware problems, and how do I use Windows System Restore for this purpose?
Windows System Restore is a utility included with Windows XP and Windows Me. If you ever encounter a catastrophic failure, you can use this tool to bring your system back to the way it was before the problem started. This same tool can be used to rid your system of spyware. In a nutshell, Windows takes a “snapshot” of your system configuration at certain times. These snapshots are called “restore points.” When a problem occurs, you can then return your computer to one of these previous configurations without losing any of the data that you’ve worked on.
Windows System Restore can be a useful tool to combat spyware. If you have a new computer or have rid your current one of all spyware, you can delete all previous restore points and rest easy knowing that you have a clean system to fall back on in case of future infection. Should spyware again infest your computer, it is a simple task to use System Restore to revert to a spyware-free system configuration.
This can be a very useful feature, but it requires careful vigilance on your part since you must always be aware of exactly what software is installed on your system. This sounds easy, but in fact demands careful attention to everything you do on your computer, no matter how inconvenient at the time.
The key to using Windows System Restore to get rid of spyware is having a reliable, clean restore point. If malicious software has crept onto your machine without your knowledge, it is included in the restore point snapshot. In this case, if you use System Restore to return to a previous system configuration, the utility could easily restore the spyware along with all of your other settings.
If you are sure that you have a clean system and are willing to put forth the effort to monitor your computer, you can use the following procedure to create a new system restore point. Remember, before you do this, make absolutely certain that your computer is free from spyware.
If you are using Windows XP:
1. Click the “Start” button. The Start Menu appears.
2. Right-click “My Computer.” A popup menu appears.
3. Click the “Properties” menu item. The “System Properties” window appears.
4. Click the “System Restore” tab at the top of the window. The System Restore settings appear.
5. Check the “Turn off System Restore on all drives” check box.
6. Click the “OK” button at the bottom of the window.
7. Windows asks if you are sure that you want to turn off System Restore. Click the “Yes” button. The “System Properties” window closes and your settings are saved.
If you are using Windows Me:
1. Right-click the “My Computer” icon on the desktop. A popup menu appears.
2. Click the “Properties” menu item. The “System Properties” window appears.
3. Click the “Performance” tab. The performance settings appear.
4. Click “File System.”
5. Click the “Troubleshooting” tab.
6. Check the “Disable System Restore” check box.
7. Click the “OK” button to save your changes and close the “File System” window.
8. Click the “OK” button on the “System Properties” window.
9. Windows asks you if you want to restart your computer. Click the “Yes” button. Your computer shuts down, and when it starts back, System Restore is turned off.
When System Restore is turned off, all of the previous restore points are erased. This means that there is no risk of restoring your computer to a state that includes spyware. Now is a good time to double-check to ensure that there is no spyware on your computer. When you are confident that there is no spyware on your computer, do the following:
If you are using Windows XP:
1. Repeat Steps 1 – 4 of the Windows XP instructions above.
2. Uncheck the “Turn off System Restore on all drives” check box.
3. Click the “OK” button at the bottom of the window. The “System Properties” window closes and System Restore is turned back on.
If you are using Windows Me:
1. Repeat Steps 1-5 of the Windows Me instructions above.
2. Uncheck the “Disable System Restore” check box.
3. Repeat Steps 7 - 9 of the Windows Me instructions above. System Restore is now running again.
Stopping and restarting Windows System Restore with a clean computer erased all of the previous restore points and started a new one. If your computer becomes contaminated with spyware from this point on, it is a simple matter to return to the last, known-good restore point to undo the installation of the spyware.
If you are using Windows XP:
1. Click the “Start” button. The Start Menu appears.
2. Click “Help and Support.” The “Help and Support Center” window appears.
3. On the right side of the window is the “Pick a Task” heading. Under this heading, click “Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.” The System Restore Wizard starts.
4. Follow the prompts to pick a restore point and restore your system.
If you are using Windows Me:
1. Click the “Start” button. The Start Menu appears.
2. Point to “Programs.” A list of folders and programs appears.
3. Point to “Accessories.” Another list of folders and programs appears.
4. Point to “System Tools.” Once again, a list of programs appears.
5. Click “System Restore.” The “System Restore” wizard appears.
6. Follow the instructions in the wizard to pick a restore point and restore your system.
Although you must be very careful in keeping track of what’s happening with your system at all times, System Restore can be an effective tool against spyware.
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