Windows 7: Why no system restore point

Today I downloaded some software that I wish I hadn't. I thought, no problem, I'll just restore to a point prior to the download. I seemed to remember that my system was setup so that whenever I install software a restore point is created automatically.

To my surprise, however, I did not have a system restore point of any kind for the last several days. I wonder if I invertantly changed some settings or what?

Type create rest into the start menu and see if system restore is on - configure it as necessary.

To be on the safe side run a virus scan, its probably ok, but who knows.

Regarding the SR point, did you shut it off? Go to task scheduler and see when SR is scheduled to operate. Go to start menu and type in task scheduler.
Is the partition where your backups are stored, full, due to system image or something else?

It's odd that you mention this today. I had the exact same thing happen to me earlier today. I installed something, regretted it, and looked for a restore point. Normally, I have one or more every day. To my surprise there hasn't been one since 12/20 and I have no idea why.

Did you guys check what is going on with your shadowstorage? Type vssadmin list shadowstorage into an elevated command prompt and hit Enter. Have a look what's allocated and used. If there is a fair amount used, then type vssadmin list shadows to show you the restore points that are in there - they are time stamped. Once you have those facts, we'll go from there.

I just check and System Restore tells me there have been NO restore points created on this system... Funny, I have 6 or 7 of them two days ago...

Here's my results running "vssadmin list shadowstorage" and "vssadmin list shadows: Something very wrong with this picture, like system restore may be something you can't count on!

Hmm, indeed there are nil shadows. Go to Computer > Properties > Advanced System settings (in the left pane on top) > System Protection Tab. There you can set it on (Configure) and also create a first restore point.
Note: By default, the system backup is turned off.

7 will only create a restore point if there hasn't been one in the last 7 days.

None at all is a different issue.

I manually created a restore point and that was successful. I also looked at configure and increased the allotted storage space although the default should have been more than sufficient. I also went into Task Scheduler and setup a restore point to be created every 24 hrs.

With that said I've been seeing this problem come and go since the original Win 7 install, including all the betas in the last 6 months... Additionally, I installed 3 apps yesterday and would normally expect restore points to be created prior to those installs.

Based my experience and the constant post I see regarding this issue, I'm thinking there's an inherent problem here. I won't lose much sleep over it as I have a good backup routine so until it's resolved all is fine.

But it's cool feature and it would be nice to know it's reliable...