System Restore Management: Is it actually possible?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 426
    Win7 Ultimate SP1
       #1

    System Restore Management: Is it actually possible?


    I've used System Restore since XP days and it's rescued me from system problems many times. So I'm a fan of the process.

    My new W7 system runs on a 240GB SSD, and, of course, it's into this limited space that Windows saves the Restore Point files.

    I'd prefer to store these somewhere else, like my 2TB storage drive.

    I'd also like to selectively delete older Restore Points from time to time. Yes, I'm quite aware that one can control the amount of space used for this purpose, but that's not the same thing as selective deletion.

    So I got quite excited when I saw an app called 'System Restore Manager' on the Window's Club website, that purported to fulfill those two requirements. Sadly, it didn't work. Turns out, the developer disappeared before he got the bugs ironed out. No personal system restore, perhaps?

    My questions then, are:
    Is it actually possible to control where Windows 7 stores its Restore Point files?
    Is it actually possible to selectively delete individual Restore Points?

    Or is it just just pie in the sky?

    Helpful answers only, if you don't mind.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #2

    UVK can delete any selected system restore point. I hesitate to recommend it just for deleting them because it also does a whole lot more stuff that can screw up your system if not used correctly.

    System Restore Management: Is it actually possible?-uvk.jpg

    I don't use system restore as it's never been 100% reliable and it only monitors certain files and folders hence there are no system restore points shown in the screenshot. If they exixt they are listed and can be individually deleted.

    RE: Moving restore points. Not sure about that one. The way windows works it's probably set to look for system restore points on each monitored drive so I don't see how it would find those if moved elsewhere.

    RE: TheWindowsClub System Restore Manager. It always worked for me in the past when I used to keep system restore enabled. What's the problem with it?
    Last edited by Callender; 24 Feb 2016 at 17:52. Reason: correction
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 426
    Win7 Ultimate SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Callender, 'System Restore Manager' just didn't work. Like, I'd select some restore points and click 'Delete' and nothing would happen.
    It did occur to me later that I should perhaps have deleted them one at a time, rather than as a group. Comments?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    It's been 2 years since I last used it. I guess deleting them one at a time would be the way to go. Also you'd probably want to create an Elevated Shortcut to run the program.

    See: Elevated Program Shortcut - Create for Standard User

    It's a lot easier to use this: ElevatedShortcut for Windows 7 and Windows 8
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #5

    I've done a little research and everything I've seen so far suggests that system restore points must be created on the monitored partition.
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    From my experience I would say NO to both questions.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #7

    If you want more control of what is backed up, where, and for how long, consider using an imaging program such as Macrium Reflect.
    MR free has Differentials, for me "they run fast and create small files", and i consider them a better option than a Restore Point.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 259
    Win7 sp1 Pro 64bit / XP sp2 Pro (games only)
       #8

    C-Cleaner works very well to select and delete any restore point except the latest one.
    Art.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #9

    yep Ccleaner works well for me selecting which Restore point to remove.

    I would recommend leaving Restore Points on the "C" partition so Windows 7 can find them if need be.
    5% of hard drive space will hold a lot of Restore Points.

    System Restore Management: Is it actually possible?-ccleaner-restore-points.png
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #10

    Good you posted that. I forgot all about the CCleaner deal.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:46.
Find Us