Windows 7: System Restore problems?

Hi -

Is Windows 7 supposed to work this way?
I only have familiartiy with how win xp works - when xp restores, all updates (from program installs) in the 'program files' directory are reversed.

I have a new Windows 7 pro laptop and I decided to restore back to right after I first started the machine about 2 weeks ago. (it was an automatic checkpoint.)

After the restore, sub-directories for programs that I had installed, in two directories (program files and program files(x86) still existed.
There were no executables in these affected sub-directories, only files such as, .html, .txt, and .xml. It's almost like these sub-directories were kept around as stubs, or as place holders.

I de-installed Shadow Protect Desktop, just to exclude possible interference, and ran the restore again - same outcome.
I ran the restore from safe mode - same outcome.

Is this the way system restore is supposed to work in Windows 7?

If system restore does not effectively remove all items in system directories, how can I trust it to remove items from startup list; registry; services.

The exact thing happended when I did a restore from a checkpoint taken yb a program right before it installed.

Am I misremembering how system restore worked on xp?

Can I go in and delete the "place holder" -like sub-directories, and be assured that all other references to these programs have been eliminated from the registry, services, etc.?

Deb

You have 3 back up programs as part of your OS
System Restore only makes changes to the OS
System Image will make changes to the entire drive
Back up and restore will only affect your personal documents, photos, etc.

http://askbobrankin.com/what_does_sy...estore_do.html

Likely in the grey area between Programs removed and files which are preserved. This is why I now prefer to remove programs by using Revo uninstaller to get all of the leftover reg keys and files. Same with updates using Windows Updates' Installed Updates panel, and drivers using rollback.

I save Restore for reversing malfunctions of OS or other unusual situations where I don't want to reinstall/reimage.

If these leftovers bother you, then reinstall programs and remove using Revo in Advanced mode. It also sets a restore point.

This system restore can restore computer settings that have been modified after the restore point was created.

But one thing Windows 7 restore point does well is that you have the option to restore only individual folders or even files to their state when the restore point you set them to be restored was created by using the context menu rather than using a full system restore.

I don't think the single folder restore that will remove files that were added after the restore point was created but rather bring back those that were deleted.

Vertex,
Are you maybe confusing/mixing the features of System Restore and performing a restore using Win 7 Backup and Restore?

System Restore
System Restore Point - Create
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

WIN + F1 key combo | type What is System Restore | Enter key

WIN + F1 key combo | type What is Backup | Enter key