Restore Points
Restore points are created to allow users a choice of previous system states. Each restore point contains the necessary information needed to restore the system to the chosen state. Restore points are created before key changes are made to the system.
System Restore has an automatic restore point space-management feature that purges the oldest restore points to make room for new ones, while still enabling the user to recover from any recent destructive changes.
In Windows 7 on computers with hard drives over 64 GB, System Restore can take up to 5 percent of the disk or a maximum of 10 GB of the disk space, whichever is less. On computers with hard drives of 64 GB or less, System Restore can take at most 3 percent of the disk space.
In Windows Vista, System Restore can take up to 15 percent of the size of the volume or a maximum of 30 percent of the free disk space, whichever is less.
System Restore in Windows XP takes a maximum of 12 percent of the disk space in systems with hard drives over 4 gigabytes (GB), and a maximum of 400 megabytes (MB) for hard drives under 4 GB. To change the maximum storage limit in Windows XP, use the System application in the Control Panel.
The following describes the triggers that cause System Restore to create a restore point.
Event-triggered restore points
System Restore automatically creates a restore point before the following events:
- Application installation (provided the application utilizes an installer that is System Restore compliant). If the application install causes system problems, the user can restore the system to a state before the installation of the application.
- AutoUpdate installation. AutoUpdate provides an easy way for users to download critical Windows updates. After the update is downloaded, the user can install the update on the system. If the user chooses to install the update, System Restore creates a restore point before the installation of the update begins.
- System restore. For example, if a user accidentally chooses the wrong restore point, the user can undo the restore operation by choosing a restore point before the system restore took place. The user can then choose the correct restore point.
Scheduled restore points
System Restore can be configured to create restore points at regular intervals. Users can also manually create and name a restore point at any time from within the System Restore user interface. These restore points are saved and compressed, and these choices are available to the user through the System Restore user interface. System Restore in Windows 7 creates a scheduled restore point only if no other restore points have been created in the last 7 days. System Restore in Windows Vista creates a checkpoint every 24 hours if no other restore points were created that day. System Restore in Windows XP creates a checkpoint every 24 hours of absolute time.
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Build date: 9/5/2012
I am just a bit confused as task-scheduler allows me to set the system restore to set restore points at start up 'daily' and also allows for additional restore points in the schedule.
I have been having trouble getting my 'system restore' to successfully go back to the required restore point. I have Advanced system care installed which was automatically setting restore points at start up so I tried cancelled the ASC schedule, cleared all restore points in W7 and set up the W7 Task scheduler to run automated restore points at system startup and 12pm daily.
I then restarted the system expecting W7 to automate a restore point when I rebooted but no restore points at all were created.
I rebooted the system just in case on the first reboot, everything had not re-adjusted - but still nothing.
I have therefore had to set a manual restore point and I am just wondering if I should re-set ASC to automate the restore points (which it does daily on start up without problem), or wait to see what W7 does over the next week or 2.
My concern is that perhaps Advanced System Care setting the restore points automatically is interfering with the W7 system - which is maybe why I can do a successful system restore ? It's not much good is ASC smoothly sets up a restore point daily, if W7 will not revert to the date selected.
Any ideas???? Thanks Again
- 11/13/2010
- Sean Vida
- 9/19/2012
- bruce c.hoffman
My laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium (running in 64-bit mode).
I installed a superb piece of backup software from Roxio (called BackOnTrack). I am very pleased with the Roxio product because it has twice saved me:
- once from a piece of navigation software that corrupted Windows Registry & stopped my anti-virus software & my e-mail manager from working (BackOnTrack restored a "Saved State" before the navigation software had been installed)
- once when an automatic update (specifically designed for Windows 7 Home Premium in 64-bit mode) stalled at 15% installed. This was a nightmare because [Control] + [Alt] + [Delete] didn't work & my laptop wouldn't switch off (when I tapped the on/off switch as normal). Thankfully, I had purchased the Toshiba laptop from PC World with their amazing 5-year "whatever happens" service agreement, so, I jumped in the care & took the computer to their in-store Technical Support team. I strongly recommend buying through PC World for this reason. They sorted me out in minutes: by keeping the on/off switch depressed for much longer the laptop switched off & Roxio's BackOnTrack gave me the option to select its software during the boot-up sequence, so, we didn't go back into the stalled state. Brilliant ! I got my computer back from "PC death" !
So, I found this webpage about Windows "Restore Points" by contacting Microsoft's dedicated Update team.
As well as this article the Support Team Member recommended:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-HK/windows7/Create-a-restore-point
- & -
http://support.microsoft.com/select/Default.aspx?target=assistance
I hope that what I have written helps.
Good health to you all,
HappyOne_5_8_1990
- 4/14/2011
- HappyOne_5_8_1990
