System Restore and Driver Rollback Instructions

Option 1: Backup Your System Using System Restore

System Restore works a lot like the Undo command in Microsoft Word. You can use System Restore to return to your previous driver version if you create a restore point prior to installing the driver. System Restore does not affect your personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or email) so you won't lose changes made to these files after the restore point is created.

Windows XP steps to create a restore point (before installing the new driver):

  1. Click Start
  2. Point to All Programs
  3. Point to Accessories
  4. Point to System Tools
  5. Click System Restore
  6. Click Create a restore point, and then click Next
  7. Type a name to identify this restore point and click Create
To return to this restore point, from the same System Restore Wizard select Restore my computer to an earlier time. Then select the date you created the restore point from the calendar in the Select a Restore Point screen. All of the restore points you created and you computer created on the selected date are listed by name in the list box to the right of the calendar.

Windows Vista or Windows 7 steps to create a restore point (before installing the new driver):

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Control Panel
  3. Windows Vista: Click System and Maintenance and then System or simply System (in Classic view). Windows 7: Click System and Security and then System.
  4. In the left pane, click System Protection
  5. On the System Protection tab, Click Create
  6. Type a name to identify this restore point and click Create
To return to this restore point, select System Restore on the same System Protection tab as above. Next select Choose a different restore point and click Next. Then select the date and name of the restore point that you created and click Next. Finally select Finish.

Option 2: Roll Back To Your Previous Driver

If you install the newer driver without first uninstalling the previous version, you may be able to simply roll back your driver to the previous version using these steps:

Windows XP steps to roll back your driver:

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Control Panel
  3. Click Performance and Maintenance and then System (in Category view) or System (in Classic view)
  4. Select the Hardware Tab
  5. Click Device Manager
  6. Double-click on Display Adapters
  7. Double-click on your NVIDIA GPU
  8. Select the Driver Tab
  9. Click on Roll Back Driver
Windows Vista or Windows 7 steps to roll back your driver:
  1. Click Start
  2. Click Control Panel
  3. Windows Vista: Click System and Maintenance and then System or simply System (in Classic view). Windows 7: Click System and Security and then System.
  4. In the left pane, click Device Manager
  5. Double-click on Display Adapters
  6. Double-click on your NVIDIA GPU
  7. Select the Driver Tab
  8. Click on Roll Back Driver