Although a Restore computer option appears in Backup and Restore Center, you can’t actually trigger an entire PC restoration from within Windows. Instead, you will need to reboot your system and utilize the Windows Recovery Environment, which should be installed on your system, or the Windows Vista installation DVD. The reason for this is that the recovery process literally overwrites all of the data on your hard drives. Obviously, you will want to be sure you’ve backed up any crucial data before attempting this process.

Follow these steps to restore your entire PC using a system image:

1. Reboot the computer.

2. After your PC has finished its BIOS sequence, hold down the F8 key. If you don’t see an option for the Windows Recovery Environment, just boot up your computer with the Windows Vista DVD instead.

3. After Windows Vista Setup begins, you’ll be brought to the Install Now screen. Instead of installing Vista, however, choose the System Recovery Options link.

4. You’ll be guided through a series of steps. Choose your keyboard layout (US for US residents) when requested to do so.

5. Setup searches for Windows installations to repair. When you are asked what type of repair task you’d like to accomplish, select Windows Complete PC Restore.

6. The Windows Disaster Recovery Wizard launches. If you haven’t already attached a hard drive or DVD containing the system image, do so now. The wizard will step you through the process of recovering the system image, rebooting, and loading your newly recovered system. As with creating a system image, this can be a very lengthy process. For this reason, you should budget an hour or more to complete this recovery.