What feature allows a computer to restore itself to a previous state?

The feature that allows a computer to restore itself to a previous state is System Restore. System Restore is a recovery tool in Windows that creates restore points, which are snapshots of the system files and settings at particular points in time. If an issue arises due to software changes, such as a faulty application installation or a problematic Windows update, users can revert the system back to one of these restore points. This process does not affect personal files but can solve issues caused by system configuration changes.

File Recovery primarily focuses on recovering lost or deleted files rather than restoring the operating system to a previous state. Disk Imaging involves creating a complete image of a drive, which may be used for recovery, but it is not the same as the automated, point-in-time restoration provided by System Restore. Backup Management refers to the processes and tools that deal with creating and managing backups of files and data, rather than specifically focusing on restoration of the system state. Each of these options serves distinct purposes, but System Restore is specifically designed for reverting system settings to a prior state, making it the correct answer.