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
reenable it after the system is clean.
Follow the instructions below to disable
System Restore.
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.
NOTE: 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.
Once you have cleaned the virus or other problem from the
computer, reenable System Restore by following these
directions
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.
Disabling System Restore on Windows XP
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- 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.
- Turning off System Restore will clear out all previous
restore points.
To turn off Windows XP System Restore:
NOTE: 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.
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click
Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off
System Restore on all drives" as shown in this
illustration:
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.
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.
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