How to Disable System Restore in Windows ME or Windows XP
One of the best features of Windows ME or XP is the System Restore option, however if a virus infects a computer with this operating system the virus may be accidentally backed up because of this feature. In order to completely remove a virus on these operating systems, you should disable System Restore before cleaning the system, then reenable it after the system is clean.
Follow the instructions below to disable System Restore
Disabling System Restore on Windows ME
1. Click Start, Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon. The System Properties dialog box appears.
NOTE: If the System icon is not visible, click "View all Control Panel options" to display it.
3. Click the Performance tab, and then click File System.
4. Click the Troubleshooting tab, and then check Disable System Restore.
5. Click OK. Click Yes, when you are prompted to restart Windows.
Once you have cleaned the virus or other problem from the computer, reenable System Restore by following these directions
To enable Windows Me System Restore:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System, and then click the Performance tab.
3. Click File System, and then click the Troubleshooting tab.
4. Uncheck Disable System Restore.
5. Click OK. Click Yes, when you are prompted to restart Windows.
Disabling System Restore on Windows XP
IMPORTANT NOTES:
You must be logged in as an Administrator to do this. If you are not logged in as an Administrator, the System Restore tab will not be displayed.
Turning off System Restore will clear out all previous restore points.
To turn off Windows XP System Restore:
NOTE: These instructions assume that you are using the default Windows XP Start Menu and have not changed to the Classic Start menu. To re-enable the default menu, right-click Start, click Properties, click Start menu (not Classic) and then click OK.
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" as shown in this illustration:
5. Click Apply.
6. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this.
7. Click OK.
8. Proceed with what you need to do; for example, virus removal. When you have finished, restart the computer and follow the instructions in the next section to turn on System Restore.
To turn on Windows XP System Restore:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives."
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
Microsoft Article on Viruses and _Restore Folder
You may want to read the following Microsoft Article on Viruses and why they cannot be cleaned in the _Restore Folder
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q263455
Thanks .. but that didn't work .. it came back
Create a couple extra user accounts that have full administrative powers. Restart on one of those accounts.
Repeat the the cleaning steps, including the dis-abling and re-enabling of System Restore.
Use the computer for a while in order to see if the problme has persisted --- probably not. Then, restart on your perferred user account if you wish, though you might now prefer to continue operations by way of one of the new user accounts.
Then install ZoneAlarm Pro. You can purchase it online, here:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_zap.jsp;jsessionid=AYisWylvMio6aWkfVZ5Do1CVJcpzlpRnT3NF3Af9F2qAggicbm7u!1965445848!-1062696905!7551!7552!1463396273!-1062696904!7551!7552?lid=zasskulist_pronav
Use the default settings; during the setup, err on the side of automation and do not fret.