System Restore can return system settings and related components to an earlier restore point. It can be useful when a problem began after a software change, but the restore point needs to predate that change. Selecting an arbitrary old date makes the result harder to assess.

Start by recording when the symptom first appeared and what was installed or changed shortly beforehand. Back up current documents separately. System Restore is not a replacement for personal-file backup, and it should not be confused with other Windows recovery tools that can roll back a broader set of data.

Inspect before committing

In Control Panel, open Recovery, then Open System Restore. Continue to the restore-point list and inspect the available dates and descriptions. If needed, show additional restore points. A restore point created after the problem began may not help investigate its cause.

Use Scan for affected programs for the point you are considering. Read the results and note applications or drivers that may need attention afterwards. If a critical business application appears, establish its reinstall and data-recovery requirements before proceeding.

If no suitable point exists, cancelling is a valid outcome. System Restore cannot invent historical states that were never captured. Repeatedly choosing unsuitable points adds changes without a clear diagnostic purpose.

Check the result against one symptom

When you have chosen an appropriate point and are ready, follow the confirmation prompts and let Windows complete the operation and restart. If using the recovery environment on an encrypted device, Microsoft notes that a recovery key may be needed.

Afterwards, repeat the original failing action and test essential affected software. Record whether the symptom changed and whether any application needs repair or reinstalling. Do not immediately reapply every recent change at once; that would obscure which change mattered.

If the fault remains, keep the test result for further diagnosis. A restore point targets software state and cannot establish that storage, memory or other hardware is healthy.

Reference: Microsoft Support.