Just to close up and answer my own question - yes using a automated restore point prior to running a system image reinstall, will revert computer back to its state prior to the image re-install. However the real reason for trying this was trying to revert back to windows 7 from 10 due to finding out the laptop in question (Dell Vostros 3500) was in fact incompatible to windows 10 and caused USB port crashing that won't revert through all the normal repair attempts. However not being a windows 10 person to begin with and only gave in and upgraded as it was ending and thought it passed the compatibility test, I didn't realize I had just crossed the magic 30 day window (nor realized it existed). So what I was after wasn't going to be possible, without a reset, but switching machines shortly anyway. Thought I'd share the answer to the original question.