There are a lot of troubles when you use computer. For example: When the system crashed, the computer cannot start successfully, and you cannot use the applications at all. In this situation, restoring computer to an earlier date can make your computer go back to the previous state.

Besides, the installed programs, drivers, viruses, etc can cause an unexpected change to your computer, and eventually your computer will not work normally . Usually, you will receive certain error message, including error loading operating system, your PC ran into a problem loop, computer stuck on restarting screen, etc. To solve this problem, you can use system restore. 

How to restore computer to an earlier date?

Restoring Dell/HP/Lenovo computer to earlier date is a good idea to make your computer go back to the correct state. Well then, how to restore computers system to an earlier point of time?

To restore computer to a previous date, you must create a system backup image before. Then, you can directly use it when needed. In Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, there is a snap-in tool called System Restore which can create system image backup and restore it to your computer.

If you don’t enable system restore in Windows, you still can use a third-party tool like AOMEI Backupper. Similar to System Restore, it’s a free backup and restore software, which can help you restore your computer to an earlier date. Keep reading to learn the detailed steps.

Method 1: How to restore PC to an earlier date when your computer is bootable?

Step 1. Type system restore in the search box and select it from the result list.

Step 2. Click Next in the first window.

Step 3. Select the restore point on the following box and click Next.

Tip: If you do not want to suffer a big trouble of reinstalling the programs you recently installed, you can click Scan for affected programs to find it and then backup whatever you need.

Step 4. Confirm and click Finish to restore computer settings to previous date.

Method 2: How to restore computer to earlier date in safe mode?

This method is suitable for users whose computer is unbootable. You can consider restoring Windows 7/8/10 in safe mode first.

Step 1. Go to safe mode. In Windows 7, you need to start your computer, then press F8 repeatedly until the Windows logo appear. In Windows 8/8.1/10, restart your computer 3 times, then click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart to boot into safe mode.

Step 2. Repeat the steps of system restore in normal state.

Method 3: How to restore computer to earlier date from start up?

If the system restore from safe mode does not work, you still can create a recovery drive or using an installation disc to restore your computer to earlier date from boot.

Step 1. boot your computer with a recovery drive or installation disc.

Step 2. Go to BIOS and set the bootable drive as the first boot option, then press F10 to save and restart your computer.

Step 3. Click next until you see “Repair your computer” in the lower left corner.

Step 4. Click Repair your computer, then Choose Windows 10 > Troubleshoot > Advanced options >System Restore.

Step 5. Then, the first window will appear. Just click Next to move on.

Step 6. Repeat the steps in the normal state.

Method 4: How to restore computer to earlier date using command prompt

This method is similar to the previous one. You need to restore computer settings to earlier date with installation disc or a recovery drive. The only difference is the recovery tools you are using.

Step 1. Boot from recovery drive or installation disc. Then, go to Repair your computer, click Windows 10 > Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 2. Click Command Prompt in the Advanced options interface.

Step 3. Type rstrui.exe in the command prompt window and hit Enter.

Step 4. Then, you will see the GUI screen of System Restore. Just click Next to go on and repeat the steps until the last step.