Create Restore Points in Windows XP

Create a restore point

To manually set system restore points, follow these directions.

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, then System Tools.
2. Click System Restore to launch the System Restore wizard.
3. Select the box next the text labeled "Create a restore point" and click the Next button.
4. Type a description for your new restore point. Something like "Before I installed some program that may cause my system major grief" would do just fine, but you don't have to be that descriptive.
5. Click Create.
   

Access restore points

When you need to access a restore point, boot into safe mode by pressing F8 during the boot. Then select "Last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)" and press Enter.

If you want to pick your restore point by creation date, boot into safe mode and launch the System Restore wizard. Now you can restore your computer based on when restore points were created.