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How to run a System Restore in Safe Mode on Windows 7 - Micro Center
<main> <article class="userContent"> <p>This article shows how to run a system restore in safe mode. This is useful if there is an infection on the computer, if it is not able to boot into windows normally, or for various other reasons. System Restore should not affect any of your data files, however any programs installed since the date and time that the computer will be restored to will need to be reinstalled.</p><p><strong>NOTE: Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft or Micro Center as the operating system has reached its end of life, this guide is available for those still looking for assistance with Windows 7. Further troubleshooting outside of this guide for Windows 7 is not available from Micro Center.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>1. Completely power down the computer; do not restart it yet and locate the F8 key on the keyboard:</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/679_HOW5000633B-001.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/679_HOW5000633B-001.jpg" alt="Keyboard, F8 Function Key" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>2. Turn the computer on and repeatedly tap the F8 key on the keyboard at a rate of about once per second, until the <strong>Windows Advanced Boot Options</strong> screen appears. If it fails to appear and the computer boots in to Windows, shut down and turn the computer off and try again.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/680_HOW5000633B-003.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/680_HOW5000633B-003.jpg" alt="Windows Boot Screen Advanced Options" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>3. Use the arrow keys to highlight <strong>Safe Mode</strong> on the list and press enter.</p><p>4. Wait a few minutes as Safe Mode loads. If Safe Mode fails to load, it indicates deep Operating System issues. It would be recommended at this point to take the computer in to your local Micro Center store or look in to a System Recovery to wipe out the system and restore it to the factory settings.</p><p>5. Once Safe Mode loads and an account is chosen, a What Is Safe Mode box appears. Close this window and proceed.</p><p>6. In the bottom left corner of the screen, click on the Start button and then choose All Programs.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/681_HOW5000633B-005.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/681_HOW5000633B-005.jpg" alt="Windows Start Button, All Programs" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>7. On the All Programs menu, locate the Accessories folder.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/682_HOW5000633B-007.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/682_HOW5000633B-007.jpg" alt="Windows Programs, Accessories Folder" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>8. Within the Accessories folder, locate the System Tools folder and click System Restore, then wait a few minutes as the program opens.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/683_HOW5000633B-009.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/683_HOW5000633B-009.jpg" alt="Windows Accessories, System Tools, System Restore" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>9. Look at the recommended restore point and determine if the computer was working properly at that time. If it was, click on Next. If not, check the “Choose A Different Restore Point” option.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/684_HOW5000633B-011.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://www.microcenter.com/Content/Content%20Graphic/Images/684_HOW5000633B-011.jpg" alt="Windows System Restore" height="180" width="320" loading="lazy"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><p>10. On the next screen, verify that the settings are correct and click Finish to start the restore process. It may take upwards of 20 minutes to complete and will reboot one or more times during the restore process.</p> </article> </main>
