It is only possible to truly reset the Windows 7 operating system by re-installing it. Sometimes a re-installation can’t be avoided. Harmful software, hardware problems or performance issues often make a complete reset necessary. At the same time, important files should be kept. In this case, the system and your personal files can be very easily backed up using a tool provided by Windows.
Ideally, you should make these back-upsat regular intervals so that the desired files can be secured and you can refresh your operating system at any time you need to. Resetting with this back-up tool works as follows:
- In the control panel, find the option “System and Security”. Click on “Backup and restore” and then on “Set up backup”.
- Select the drive where the back-up is to be set up and the files that you want to secure.
Windows 7 will then automatically secure the selected files. Should you have to reset the system in an emergency, you will be able to recover this back-up at any time. To do this, follow these instructions:
- From the different system recovery points, select the one that you would like to return to.
- As soon as the earlier state has been restored, go back to the control panel, where you will be able to find your back-up in “Backup and restore”.
- You can now recover all of the backed-up files via “Restore my files”.
Another way of maintaining files is with manual back-ups on external hard drives or USB sticks.