How to restore my Windows 8.1 to a specific date

Stephen

AFAIK you need to go to Control panel>restore>open system restore>chose a restore point>pick the date you want.  I have no idea why you think you need start>this computer (that was from an older OS)

Thank you Zigzag.

From Control Panel I do not have "Restore". I have "System", and within it "Advanced System Settings", then "System Properties" then "System Restore".

Are we understanding each other?

More importantly, in "System files and settings" I do not have the two restore options your screen shot shows, as you will see from my screen shot.

This is a licensed version bought from online from Microsoftstore China, which I understand is a simplified version originally only in Chinese which forced us to download an English language pack.

Do we have to reinstall the operating system?

Hi,

This might happen if System Protection is turned on.

Go to system protection window, under Protection settings, check if it turned on or off.

What happens when you click on the Next box of the System Restore window? Do you see the system restore points if created?

Thanks Anannya

System protection for Win 8(C):(System) is turned on.

When I click System Restore I get a box saying it can't proceed.

Hi Stephen,

Was System Protection turned off previously?

I hope you are aware that, if in case the system restore is turn off the restore points gets deleted
that may be the reason.

I would suggest you to check the disk space allotted to restore points. If very less space is allotted to store restore points, then it will automatically delete the old restore points. Refer these steps to check:
 
a.    Press Windows key + W, type “Recovery” in the search box
b.    Click on the settings tile below the search box
c.    Click on the recovery tile and click “configure system restore”
d.    Click on “Configure” button and check the disk space allotted.

Please get back with the issue status.

Anannya, System Protection may have been turned off by my Chinese wife who installed a Chinese security service, but we have removed that now and SP is now on.

Windows key + W, "Recovery" brings up this screen: I don't have a "Settings title"........

Additionally, when I go to Refresh you PC without affecting your files>Get Started, I get the following error message:

We don't have recovery media and we downloaded the OS from Microsoft Store, we do have an email link however for reinstallation...

Hi,

You can contact Microsoft Store to get assistance with the Windows media.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/DisplayHelpContactUsPage/

Anannya, System Protection may have been turned off by my Chinese wife who installed a Chinese security service, but we have removed that now and SP is now on.