Windows 7: Win 7 Sys Restore not adding new restore points as it should.

I had reason to check my System Restore function today and found only 3 points to choose from. One from July 15, 2012, another from 2011 and the last from 2010. Obviously two of them are worthless. I understood that a new restore point should be added each week, or at a major change of some sort. How do I change this so that more points are added as time goes by? One each week would be just fine. I can't find this option in Win 7 as I recall was available in XP. Thnx. Roving

Make sure that System Protection is enabled (turned on.)

System Protection - Turn On or Off

You could also see if the suggestions in this Microsoft forums thread aply to your situation:

Windows 7 System Restore, is not creating automatic restore points - Microsoft Answers

I did as you suggested and found that System Protection is "On". the proper drives were selected and that Shadow was set at Manual, which can't be changed to Automatic, however I did "Start" it. I also put a Restore shortcut on my desktop. It appears that all settings were proper yet only three restore points are available: 9/25/2010, 12/4/2011, and 7/15/2012. So it does function, but not often. Is this reasonable? Certainly doesn't seem to be when it is supposed to be adding one weekly or thereabouts. Any further suggestions or instructions? Many thanks for your assistance. Roving

Can you create a manual restore point?

System Restore Point - Create

You could also try running a system file checker scan to see if your computer has any damaged or corrupt system files. Run from an elevated command prompt (option two) and if any problems are found run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Go to Start and type in restore, tick system restore> next, in the lower left tick (show more restore points). With the dates you show I don't know if it will help but it doesn't cost anything.

I just installed the Instant Restore shortcut and I tried it and it worked perfectly as it showed up in the list of available restore points. Today's point is shown as an "Install" Type. The other 3 are "Backup" Type.

I the entered a cmd prompt, and the black screen appeared and I typed in sfc/scannow. Its response said "you must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility". I am the only user and Administrator, so what do I do now?

And I did change Volume Shadow Copy Startup Type to 'Automatic'. Would having it as 'Manual' prevented the regular making of Restore Points?

You need to right click on cmd.exe and Run as administrator.

Just what I needed to know. I often forget the value of the right click as I rarely need to do so and the memory isn't what it used to be. All of you guys are great to help those of us who get lost.

Scannow found no integrity violations. What should I do next? All seems to be set up correctly at this point. Have restarted.