How to Remove a Virus From System Restore

Windows System Restore is a feature that allows you to save a restore point of your computer's system files. This restore point can be used to roll back your computer's files to a working condition in case of a crash or file corruptions. However, if a virus has infected your system files, your restore point may be infected with the virus, too. The only way that you can completely remove the risk of this virus is by cleaning out your system restore points.


Instructions

Windows XP
     

1. Click on the Start button, right click on the "My Computer" icon and choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu. This will open the Systems Properties window.
2. Navigate to the "System Restore" tab.
3. Click the check box next to "Turn off System Restore" and the click "OK" button.
4. Choose "Yes" when prompted to confirm that you want to make this change.
5. Allow Windows to change the setting. When it is complete, the dialogue box will close. This will delete any infected system restore points and prevent Windows from making new infected restore points until you have cleaned the virus from your computer.

Windows Vista

1. Click the Start button, right-click on the "Computer" button and choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu. This will open up the Systems Properties window.
2. Click the "System Protection" option in the top left hand corner of the window. This will open the System Protection options window.
3. Remove the check next to your computer's hard drive from the drive select box.
4. Click the "Turn System Restore Off" button when prompted to make the change. This will delete any infected system restore points and prevent Windows from making new infected restore points until you have cleaned the virus from your computer.

Windows 7

1. Click on the Start button, right click on the "Computer" button and choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu. This will open the Systems Properties window.
2. Click the "System Protection" option in the top left hand corner of the window. This will open the System Protection options window.
3. Choose your computer's hard drive from the drive select and click the "Configure" button.
4. Click the option next to "Turn off system protection" under the Restore Settings then click the "OK" button. This will delete any infected system restore points and prevent Windows from making new infected restore points until you have cleaned the virus from your computer.

Tips & Warnings

Remember to turn System Restore back on once you have removed the virus from your computer.