Windows 7 - System Volume Information 109 GB !!

So, I set configs to allow 111 GB for System Restore, thinking I'd buy some extra insurance, on a 1.5 TB HDD. And now looking why I can't create Drive Image backup on 250 GB Drive, when I used to. Turns out, the last "critical" update for Windows 7 restore point is using a whopping 70 GB of space. What's up with that? Usually the restore point directories are in the single digits. Windows 7, Home Premium, x64.

If we are talking about shadows and shadowstorage, this would be very strange. Usually a shadow (restore point) is between 250MB and 1GB (approximately). Are you sure that those 70GBs are only 1 shadow. I suggest you do the following:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (run as admin) and type: vssadmin list shadowstorage That will show 3 numbers - Used, Allocated and Maximum. Allocated is the amount that has been reserved at this point in time and Maximum should be your 111GBs.

2. Again in Command Prompt type: vssadmin list shadows That will list all the restore points you have (on all partitions). They are dated. If you want a convenient program to look at your restore points, get Shadow Explorer.

It appears correct, *vssadmin list shadows* shows 8 restore points, the same shown by Windows 7 Restore points, with "show more restore points" clicked. TreeSize (personal edition) will read the "system volume information" dir, screen shot below.

Should I delete all restore points ? and Create new one to start over. My system is pretty stable right now, and I don't anticipate needing the restore points, besides I have a Disk Image current. Windows 7 system restore configs will let you delete restore poiints, it looks like.

Also, do you have any opinions on Disk Imaging. I've only had to use it once in my life, an old Win2000 box, but since then I'm a believer. I used Acronis, until their 2010 release which was too full of bugs to use. Now using Macrium Reflect. Is the Windows 7 create boot disk and disk imaging better ?

I also show a strange "Account Unknown -----" from many of my shortcuts > Properties > Security .. Doesn't seem to show up on the actual file properties, or not listed in my User Accounts. Any ideas?


---- Results ---------

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Russell>vssadmin list shadowstorage vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool (C) Copyright 2001-2005 Microsoft Corp.

Shadow Copy Storage association
For volume: (C\\?\Volume{e3fa1bca-3333-11df-8b8d-806e6f6e6963}\
Shadow Copy Storage volume: (C\\?\Volume{e3fa1bca-3333-11df-8b8d-806e6f6e6963}\
Used Shadow Copy Storage space: 105.636 GB (7%)
Allocated Shadow Copy Storage space: 106.008 GB (7%)
Maximum Shadow Copy Storage space: 111.048 GB (8%)



http://picasaweb.google.com/rga.dawg...62791961455778


Thanks for your response and assistance.

- R

1. Why delete the restore points. You are not hurting for disk space. You never know when you may need them. Disaster always strikes when you least expect it.

2. Imaging is the ultimate. I make an image every day. That is much more reliable than all the windows facilities. But do not use Windows 7 imaging. That is for the hard core experts. Have a look at my Macrium tutorial - very simple and straight forward. And extremely reliable.

Thanks, yes simple is probably better. The 70 GB point just shocked me a little, last several have been between 1 - 2 GB, or less. I'm just not able to get a DriveImage onto my WD 250 GB USB now, but I guess I allotted the 111 GB restore space, so it's time to move up to a 1TB external, newegg has one for $89, Western Digital. Thanks for feedback on Image, I haven't used the Windows 7 stuff for image. Macrium is working great, very easy to use. I'm at 104 GB now with about 12 restore points, it will be interesting to see if the 70 GB point drops off at some point.

How many of these do you keep on hand at any given time?

I keep 7 (one weeks worth) on my internal HDD partition, then I tranfer the Sunday image to an external disk where I keep about 10 (10 weeks worth) and I also transfer one at the beginning of each month to another (usually disconnected) external disk - that is a big 640GB disk. I keep all those monthly ones all the way back to the original installation. The initial installation image I keep in seperate folder as substitute for the recovery partition.