schedule restore points

[andy32901]

I am having a problem with trying to schedule System Restore Points in the Task Scheduler . I can make a restore point manually, and if I run the Restore Point .VBS manually it shows up in the System Restore Points screen. If I set the Restore Point.VBS to run in the Task Scheduler at a scheduled time it shows in the History section as ran but I can't find it in the System Restore Points. Where is the restore point being stored? What do I have to set to make it show up?

Andy

 

[whs]

The restore points are being stored in the shadowstorage. Open an elevated command prompt (run as admin) and type the following command:

vssadmin list shadows - then hit Enter

That will bring up all the restore points you have (they are dated). This is the only way to look at them.

 

[andy32901]

I checked the vssadmin list shadows and the restore points are the ones that show up in the system restore screen. These are manual restore points and software install points.
I scheduled 2 restore points in the task scheduler as a test and both say it was completed according to the history section but they dont show anywhere.
I have only had Windows 7 for a week now so I am learning.
Andy

 

[whs]

OK, go to Start > right click on Computer (in the right pane) > Properties > in the left pane on top go to "System Protection" > System protection tab > Configure > on top of the little window check " Restore system settings and previous versions of files" > on the bottom of the little window set the slider (Max Usage) to 10 or 15% > Apply > OK. Now the system will take care of the restore points automatically. You will get one restore point per day and one whenever something is being installed (program or update). That is your best strategy. Then you do not have to worry about the restore points until you need them.

 

[andy32901]

I just increased it to 15%. We'll see if that helps. The original problem was that I was not getting one restore point a day. It would only show a restore point if I had a Windows update or program install. Some days I did not have anything. Thats why I was trying to get at least one a day.

Andy

 

[whs]

I just increased it to 15%. We'll see if that helps. The original problem was that I was not getting one restore point a day. It would only show a restore point if I had a Windows update or program install. Some days I did not have anything. Thats why I was trying to get at least one a day.

Andy

I think you are right. I observed that too. Although the theory is that you should get one per day, they sometimes do not seem to show up. If I may make a suggestion: Use imaging. That is a lot more reliable and flexible and you can schedule it yourself. Plus, you image to an external drive which is safe when your HDD dies. Have a look at this for further details: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

 

[andy32901]

Thank you WHS for your help. I'll look into Macruim.

Andy

 

[richc46]

Thank you WHS for your help. I'll look into Macruim.

Andy

You may also be interested in Paragon. I cannot say it is better than Macrium, but I think each is equally recommended on this site. Look them both over, maybe even give them a try and you can judge for yourself.


Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

 

[whs]

Thank you WHS for your help. I'll look into Macruim.

Andy

You may also be interested in Paragon. I cannot say it is better than Macrium, but I think each is equally recommended on this site. Look them both over, maybe even give them a try and you can judge for yourself.


Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview

Paragon is an excellent program which is, however, very different to Macrium. It was mainly intended for servers and can make differentials very, very fast (on a server you want to image very frequently - like every hour). Paragon is more complex to use than Macrium but also has more function (at least when compared to the free Macrium).
I have chosen Macrium for it's simplicity and because I am not a friend of differentials or incrementals. I always take full images and at 17 minutes per image for both the system and the data partitions @ 40% CPU load in the background, that is no issue for me.
But again, Paragon is worth trying. Other people have other priorities.

 

[huntscomputer]

Windows Image Backup

Why would you not just use Windows Image Backup that is built into Windows 7 ?:sarc::tip:

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http://huntscomputer.com

 

[stormy13]

I just increased it to 15%. We'll see if that helps. The original problem was that I was not getting one restore point a day. It would only show a restore point if I had a Windows update or program install. Some days I did not have anything. Thats why I was trying to get at least one a day.

Andy

There is a reason you aren't getting a restore point a day,

Restore Points (Windows)

Scheduled restore points

System Restore can be configured to create restore points at regular intervals. Users can also manually create and name a restore point at any time from within the System Restore user interface. These restore points are saved and compressed, and these choices are available to the user through the System Restore user interface. System Restore in Windows 7 creates a scheduled restore point only if no other restore points have been created in the last 7 days. System Restore in Windows Vista creates a checkpoint every 24 hours if no other restore points were created that day. System Restore in Windows XP creates a checkpoint every 24 hours of absolute time.

When System restore is working in its default configuration, System Restore will start at the scheduled time and only create a new restore point if one hasn't been created in the past 7 days.

 

[whs]

Why would you not just use Windows Image Backup that is built into Windows 7 ?:sarc::tip:

************************
http://huntscomputer.com

Because it only works when it wants to - very unreliable, especially on the recovery part. And that is deadly. Just read all the complaints on the forums. I rather use something I can trust. In fairness I should mention that it also seemed to have worked for some people. But why take the risk.
Then there are some other complications - e.g. you cannot mount the images without jumping thru 9 hoops. Who needs that.