F-Secure Virus Descriptions : Disabling System Restore on Windows XP

In Windows Millenium there was a new feature introduced called System Restore. The new Windows XP has this feature. It creates backup copies of the essential system files so they can be restored if they get corrupted. Sometimes this makes disinfection difficult as backup files can get infected and copied to System Restore folder by Windows. Then after disinfection Windows will copy the infected file back over the clean ones.

System Restore feature can be disabled using the following steps:

1. Select Start/My Computer.

2. Click on "View system information".

3. Select the tab "System Restore".

4. Check the "Turn off System Restore on all drives" checkbox and click "Apply" button.

5. The program asks if you want to turn off System Restore. Click "Yes" button.

6. "Drive settings" has now turned to grey. Click "OK" button.

7. Windows XP System Restore feature is now disabled.

The System Restore feature can be enabled again with the same steps. At step 4. you have to uncheck the Turn Off System Restore on All Drives checkbox.