One of the best features of Windows ME or XP is the System Restore option, however if a virus infects a computer with this operating system the virus may be accidentally backed up because of this feature. In order to completely remove a virus on these operating systems, you should disable System Restore before cleaning the system, then re-enable it after the system is clean.
Disabling System Restore on Windows ME
1. Click Start, Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon. The System Properties dialog box appears. If the System icon is not visible, click “View all Control Panel options” to display it.
3. Click the Performance tab, and then click File System.
4. Click the Troubleshooting tab, and then check Disable System Restore.
5. Click OK. Click Yes, when you are prompted to restart Windows.
To enable Windows Me System Restore:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System, and then click the Performance tab.
3. Click File System, and then click the Troubleshooting tab.
4. Uncheck Disable System Restore.
5. Click OK. Click Yes, when you are prompted to restart Windows.
To turn off or disable Windows XP System Restore:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties. If you are using the classic Start menu, then right click My computer icon on your Desktop.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check “Turn off System Restore” or “Turn off System Restore on all drives”.
5. Click Apply.
6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
8. Proceed with what you need to do; for example, virus removal. When you have finished, restart the computer and follow the instructions in the next section to turn on System Restore.
To turn on Windows XP System Restore:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. If you are using the classic Start menu, then right click My computer icon on your Desktop.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck “Turn off System Restore” or “Turn off System Restore on all drives.”
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
Note 1: You must be logged in as an Administrator to do this. If you are not logged in as an Administrator, the System Restore tab will not be displayed.
Note 2: These instructions assume that you are using the default Windows XP Start Menu and have not changed to the Classic Start menu. To re-enable the default menu, right-click Start, click Properties, click Start menu (not Classic) and then click OK.
Re-enabling System Restore in Windows XP via the Group Policy Editor
In some cases, System Restore is disabled via the Group Policy Editor. In these cases, System Restore does not show up as a tab under My Computer Properties in Windows XP. If it doesnt show up, the question becomes how do you turn it on in the first place. To re-enable System Restore via the Group Policy Editor, follow these directions:
1. Start the Group Policy Editor by clicking on Start, Run and typing gpedit.msc in the Run box and pressing Enter
2. In the left hand column, click on Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, System, System Restore
3. In the right hand column, set Turn off System Restore and Turn off Configuration to Disable
4. Minimize the Group Policy Editor
5. Right click on My Computer and Select Manage
6. In the right hand column, double click on Services and Applications, then Services
7. Find the System Restore Service and double-click to open
8. On the General tab set [Startup Type] to Automatic using the drop down list
9. Click the Start button to start the service
10. Close the Computer Management console
11. Maximize the Group Policy Editor and set Turn off System Restore and Turn off Configuration to Not Configured
12. Close Group Policy Editor and reboot the system.
13. Once the system is rebooted, Click on Start, Right-click on My Computer, click on Properties and the System Restore tab should appear again.
