Windows XP has a feature System Restore which allows users to restore Windows settings and configurations to an earlier point in time (called Restore Points). An administrator can turn off the System Restore feature. This tip gives you the registry hack to disable user access to the System Restore menu option in the Start menu and Control Panel. This does not turn off System Restore but removes user access to create new restore points or restore via the Start Menu or Control Panel dialogs.
To disable access to System Restore via the Start menu (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore), use the following registry hack:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore
Name: DisableSR
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1=enable restriction;0=disable restriction
To disable access to System Restore via the Control panel (Control Panel > System > System Restore), use the following registry hack:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore
Name: DisableConfig
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1=enable restriction;0=disable restriction