Execute System Restore from the Command Line / Safe Boot

Contributor Icon Contributed by davak Date Icon November 29, 2004  
Tag Icon Tagged: Windows

System restore not working well for you. You’ll have much better success running it from the command line.


Running System Restore from the command line is often the only way to get a system back up and running. I’ll describe it from the initial boot.

    1. Restart your system
    2. When the system first boots, type F8 to bring up the boot menu
    3. Select the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option
    4. Log-on as administrator if needed
    5. At your command prompt type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
    6. Hit Enter
    6. This will open the system restore wizard…
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  • jimmA
    I tried this and absolutely nothing happend, just returned to a c: prompt. XP pro SP2. Any help appreciated. xflag@socal.rr.com
  • Rob
    Try

    c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

    That sould work on most systems.
  • jimmA
    I found that by typing it twice (type then enter, then type again) the System Restore window opens but it is blank, no options to do anything. Apparently my System Restore is not working either, nor is "Go back to the last good configuration (when system worked). Obviously, Microsoft has a great business: they put in features that don't work and we keep buying them. Can you imagine a bread baker who sells you bread but you can't eat the loaf, staying business?
  • Kinney
    Thanks for this tip. I bungled the installation of a new video card and my screen was blank after the post screen, which I could see. Restoring to yesterday got me back up and running.

    This tip was a lifesaver for me. Sorry about the 2 folks for whom it didn't work.
  • Anonymous
    <ul id="quote"><h6>jimmA wrote:</h6>I found that by typing it twice (type then enter, then type again) the System Restore window opens but it is blank, no options to do anything. Apparently my System Restore is not working either, nor is "Go back to the last good configuration (when system worked). Obviously, Microsoft has a great business: they put in features that don't work and we keep buying them. </ul> ok well I have had the same problem. This sucks Im losing money because iertutil.dll deleted its self. need help asap! Home Business at risk!
  • Alexandra
    It helped but the problem i that my system restore doesnt even show up! =( Any advice?
  • Bill
    Very useful information. It help me to restore my computer to a prioe time for fixing a system issue.


    Thanks
  • gp
    Tried this, rstrui.exe wont execute!
  • Jeremy
    I had a virus that was locking my computer down today. And if it weren't for this helpful tip from this site, I would have had issues. Just follow what I did below. I didn't use the cmd.exe (command prompt) function.

    Shut down your computer, and then wait a couple minutes.

    Start up your computer, and press f8 until the black screen with options pops up.

    Choose Safe Mode. You don't need the command prompt.

    And then a pop up will come up asking you a Yes or No question. It should say "Click No if you want to skip to System Restore."

    Click No. And then the System Restore program starts up, and then revert back to a date where you KNOW your computer was working and/or didn't have a virus. I hope this helps any of you.
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