How does system restore work?

[clicknext]

I'm just wondering what system restore really backs up when I create a restore point, and if it can really restore EVERYTHING, then how does it work?

If I, for example, accidentally deleted a file that was part of a program, would I be able to restore it if I had created a restore point prior to that? What about if I deleted a personal file like a picture or text file? What if I deleted a file that's necessary for windows to start? Is there a way to use system restore outside of windows?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: clicknext
I'm just wondering what system restore really backs up when I create a restore point, and if it can really restore EVERYTHING, then how does it work?
If I, for example, accidentally deleted a file that was part of a program, would I be able to restore it if I had created a restore point prior to that? What about if I deleted a personal file like a picture or text file? What if I deleted a file that's necessary for windows to start? Is there a way to use system restore outside of windows?

System restore is targeted at windows components, generally it won't restore a change third party application, and it doesn't restore user data (such as stuff in My Documents)
Bill