How to Do a Windows 2000 System Restore

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

System Restore is a troubleshooting feature built into Windows ME, XP and Vista, allowing vast and simplified restoration to older Windows settings and software configurations. While this feature is not available in Windows 2000, its predecessor, Directory Services Restore, works very similarly. This utility restores most of what would be restored using System Restore in later versions of Windows, and it may prevent you from having to reinstall Windows 2000 in the event of a difficult problem.

Advertisement

Step 1

Restart the computer. Pay close attention after your computer shuts down, and as soon as it begins booting up again, start tapping the "F8" key. Stop tapping it when the boot menu loads.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Scroll down to "Directory Services Restore Mode" in the boot menu and press "Enter."

Advertisement

Step 3

Press "Enter" on the next screen to confirm that you would like to restore Windows 2000.

Step 4

Type in the administrator password if prompted to do so at this point; then press "Enter."

Advertisement

Step 5

Click the "OK" button on the dialog box notifying you that you are in Safe Mode.

Step 6

Click the "Start" button, expand "All Programs," expand "Accessories" and then expand "System Tools." Click the "Backup" icon.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Step 7

Click the "Restore" tab in the Backup utility; then click the "System State" bubble. In the section where you're asked where the system files should be restored to, click the "Original Location" bubble.

Step 8

Click the "Start Restore" button. Wait as your computer reverts to the restore point, which should take several minutes. At the end of the process, Windows will prompt you to restart. Click the "Restart Now" button to complete the process.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references