Viewing Windows System Restore Points

[richc46]

You may want to read this. Once, again, TY.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2342534,00.asp

 

[whs]

Ralph, again, please do not apologize. This is a completely legitimate question. A shadow is a restore point - just another (system) name for it. And the shadowstorage is where the restore points (shadows) are being kept. The default size of the shadowstorage in Vista is 15% of the disk/partition. In Win7 it is variable depending on the size of the disk/partition (3 to 15%). But in both cases you can set it yourself - with different methods though.

 

[ralphjramirez]

Ralph, again, please do not apologize. This is a completely legitimate question. A shadow is a restore point - just another (system) name for it. And the shadowstorage is where the restore points (shadows) are being kept. The default size of the shadowstorage in Vista is 15% of the disk/partition. In Win7 it is variable depending on the size of the disk/partition (3 to 15%). But in both cases you can set it yourself - with different methods though.

Again, thank you so much. I have learned quite a bit in this forum. It is just wonderful the assistance you give guys like me.
Best Regards..........Ralph

 

[ralphjramirez]

You may want to read this. Once, again, TY.

Controlling Shadow Copies in Vista (and Windows 7!) - Tips by PC Magazine

Thanks again for all your help. I have thoroughly read the information provided at the link you provided. Amazing how helpful this forum and you and your group are to us non-technical Windows users.

Best Wishes................Ralph

 

[Povey]

Similar Problems

Do it again. When you see the point that was created; I think on the bottom left, there is a box, "see more points". Just take your time look at each screen, you will see what I mean. Good luck

Hi Richc46, i know this is an old post but im having similar problems and need advice as i am not great on computers.

Basically i was on the laptop, checking a forum my friend told me about. As soon as i was on it my Internet Explorer crashed, and my computer died. Ive done several scansand deleted several virus'es, but my laptop is still very slow and certain programs like windows media wont load at all.

So i thought lets do a system restore, it told me i did not have any past restore points, so i created one, before realising that it would be useless as the restore wont take me back to before my computer crashed. So i did as you said and clicked the box that is titled 'see more points' and nothing happend, it just still shows the manual one i did, and 2 more since then where ive downloaded some programs.

Please help, as i like this laptop and want it to be running smoothly again.

Mike

 

[whs]

If there are no restore points, there is nothing you can do. In the future I suggest you do frequent imaging ( http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I ). Then you always have a place to fall back to. Relying on restore points is pretty wreckless because there are many instances/operations where all your restore points can get wiped out. But images always stay because you control them yourself.

In your current situation you probably look at a reinstall. I know that is a bit painful, but better than proceeding with a limping PC. Unfortunately that's what you have to do if you did not make any prior provisions for cases like that.

 

[richc46]

Unfortunately, WHS is correct. It appears that with back up you will have to start over again. Be sure to back up in the future.

 

[whs]

Forgot to stress that you must save your own data first before reinstalling. There is no windows.old like in an upgrade.

 

[Povey]

Laptop Problems

Thanks for getting back to me so soon! Yes i know i have been wreckless with my laptop by not making sure i have restore points, but i definatly will do in the future. Ok so it so if i have to do a reinstall, how do i do so? Again sorry for my lack of computer knowledge, but havent had this problem before, and have no idea what so ever how to reinstall this computer.

Please Help

Mike

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Mike, welcome to Seven Forums!


You may care to have a look at this tutorial at the link below to help you auto-create system restore points whenever needed, the Windows Task Scheduler can even be used to create points daily if the PC isn't restarted that often.

System Restore Point : Create at System Startup


To use the Task Scheduler add this extracted file to "C:\Program Files" then create the task.

   Note

2) To create a restore point without a description click the button below and save the file to the desktop.
​

Instant_Restore_Point.zip file (without description)
​

 

[Povey]

Thanks for the information, yes i will need to use it to create auto restore points in the future, but right now i need to get my laptop virus free in order to have clean restore points.

Mike

 

[whs]

Thanks for getting back to me so soon! Yes i know i have been wreckless with my laptop by not making sure i have restore points, but i definatly will do in the future. Ok so it so if i have to do a reinstall, how do i do so? Again sorry for my lack of computer knowledge, but havent had this problem before, and have no idea what so ever how to reinstall this computer.

Please Help

Mike

Hi Mike,

The easiest way to reinstall is from the recovery partition. Have a look in Computer wheather you see it. It is usually D:.But the procedure is slightly different with each make of PC. So give us the make PC you have and we will tell you.

 

[Povey]

Its a dell studio, 17 i think, windows 7, not sure what other information you might need, ask and i will find out.

Mike

 

[whs]

OK, that is easy. Here are detailed instructions by Dell and here is my own little summary:

· Save all your important files.

· Unplug all the devices and drivers from your CPU (except the keyboard and the mouse), including your printer, camera and memory stick.

· Shut off the computer and then turn it on, or simply restart it.

· As soon as you see the Dell logo at the start keep on hitting the F8 key repeatedly. Do not stop until you see the screen that says "Repair your computer." There will be other options too but chose this option and hit Enter.

· Next you will see a prompt window giving you options to select the keyboard layout select from the drop-down menu "US" and click "OK."

· On the next screen you will be asked to select the user ID and the password of your Windows account. Select your user account, but make sure your user account has administrative functions. Type in your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and click "OK."

· Now you will come to a window with multiple options. Choose the one at the bottom that reads, "Dell Factory Image Restore." By clicking "Dell Factory Image Restore" , it will generate an operation that will take about 45 minutes to complete.