The System Restore utility included with the latest versions of Microsoft Windows is one of the most wonderful tools Windows users have at their disposal. It works somewhat like a time machine, allowing you to restore your Windows installation and software back to the state they were in at any point in time at which a Restore Point was created. If you make a change to your system that renders it unbootable or if a virus or other problem causes issues with Windows performing the way it should, a System Restore can almost always save the day.
If System Restore is turned on, the system creates Restore Points automatically from time to time. Restore Points are also created before updates are installed or other major changes are made to your Windows installation. What’s more, you can create a Restore Point manually should you feel the need to do so for any reason. [Read more…]
1 – Click the “Show Desktop” icon located in the Quick Launch toolbar in the lower left corner of the screen. In the screenshot at right the “Show Desktop” icon is the first icon to the right of the “Start” orb. It might be in a different position on your screen. To restore the windows back onto the screen, simply click the icon again. Note: Windows 7 doesn’t display the Quick Launch toolbar by default so you’ll need to use option 2 below…
2 – Hold down the “Windows” key and press the “D” key. You’ll typically find the “Windows” key at the lower left corner of the keyboard between the “CTRL” and “ALT” keys. (Refer to the image at right.) Pressing Windows-D again will restore all the windows back onto the screen.
If your PC came with Windows 7 pre-installed, chances are you didn’t receive a System Repair Disc or Windows installation DVD along with it.
Well, leave it to Microsoft to get us used to using a feature in Windows, then take it away from us! That’s exactly what they’ve done with Windows 8 by removing the exceedingly useful “Start” button.