System Recovery options in Windows 7

What are the system recovery options inWindows 7?

The System Recovery Options menu contains several tools, such as Start-up Repair, that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. This set of tools is on your computer's hard disk and on the Windows installation disc.

Notes

• You can also create a system repair disc that contains the System Recovery Options menu. For more information, seeCreate a system repair disc.
• If you use a Tablet PC or other computer with a touchscreen, you might need to connect a keyboard and mouse in order to use Startup Repair and the other tools in the System Recovery Options menu.

The System Recovery Options menu

What each recovery option does

System recovery option		Description
Startup Repair		Fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. For more information, see Startup Repair:
System Restore		Restores your computer's system files to an earlier point in time without affecting your files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos. If you use System Restore from the System Recovery Options menu, 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 What is System Restore? and System Restore:
System Image Recovery		You need to have created a system image beforehand to use this option. A system image is a personalized backup of the partition that contains Windows, and includes programs and user data, like documents, pictures, and music. For more information, see What is a system image?
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool		Scans your computer's memory for errors. For more information, see Diagnosing memory problems on your computer.
Command Prompt		Advanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.

Note

• Some computer manufacturers might customize the menu by adding or removing recovery tools, or including their own tools.

To open the System Recovery Options menu on your computer

1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer using the computer's power button.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter. (If Repair your computer isn't listed as an option, then your computer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.

To open the System Recovery Options menu using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or a system repair disc

If your computer's system is severely damaged and you can't access the System Recovery Options menu on your computer, you can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or using a system repair disc if you created one earlier.

To use this method, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the disc or USB flash drive.

1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, or a system repair disc, and then shut down your computer.
2. Restart your computer using the computer's power button.
3. When prompted, press any key, and then follow the instructions that appear.
4. On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next.
   • If neither the Install Windows page nor the System Recovery Options page appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
5. If you are using the Windows installation disc or USB flash drive, click Repair your computer.
6. Select the Windows installation you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.