Vista: System Recovery Options

Source

The System Recovery Options menu in this version of Windows contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously.

The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options.

Note

If your computer does not include the System Recovery Options menu, your computer manufacturer might have provided other recovery options. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website for more information.

System recovery option	Description
Startup Repair	Fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions.
System Restore	This option helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos. If you use System Restore when the computer is in safe mode, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore again and choose a different restore point if one exists. For more information, see System Restore: frequently asked questions.
WindowsComplete PC Restore	Restores the contents of your hard disk from a backup. For more information, search Help and Support for "complete PC restore."Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore is not included withWindows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, or Windows VistaHome Premium.
WindowsMemory Diagnostic Tool	Scans your computer's memory for errors. For more information, seeHow do I know if my computer has a memory problem?
Command Prompt	Command Prompt replaces the Recovery Console from earlier versions of Windows. Advanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems. For more information about command line tools and commands, see Command-line reference for IT Pros