How can you return your system to a configuration from three weeks ago?


Three weeks ago, you installed a new piece of hardware that you suspect has been intermittently causing system errors. Unfortunately, you’re not 100% sure that the new hardware is the issue, or if it may be related to a new video driver that was installed after the installation of the new hardware. What Windows feature would allow you to go “back in time” and change your system configuration to be exactly as it was three weeks ago, prior to any of these new installations?

A) Security Center

B) Dr. Watson

C) Task Scheduler

D) System Restore


The answer: D) System Restore

The System Restore feature creates frequent restore points that allow you to select a day on a calendar to change your system configuration back to an earlier version. If you’re trying to recover from a bad driver or hardware installation, the System Restore feature can save you from having to perform a complete operating system reinstallation!

The incorrect answers:

A) Security Center
The Windows Security Center provides you with a central management console for your anti-virus, anti-spyware, and Windows firewall settings.

B) Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson is used to help troubleshoot application crashes, but it won’t make any changes to your system configuration.

C) Task Scheduler
The Windows Task Scheduler is designed to automate a process to occur at a particular time of the day. Although it can be used to set restore points, it will not actively revert back to previous configurations.

Want to know more? Watch “Other Windows Diagnostic Utilities.”


Some Windows diagnostic utilities aren’t used often, but they’re very useful when the right situation occurs. In this video, you’ll learn about Dr. Watson, the system restore utility, Windows security center, the task scheduler, and Windows Script Host.

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