a question about WinXP System Restore

[quangdaika]

If I use it to restore my computer to an earlier date, will it delete any files I've downloaded since I created the restore point? Or will it just restore the system files only?

 

[oog]

it affects only system files (and drivers, etc), but not data files for the most part.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: quangdaika
If I use it to restore my computer to an earlier date, will it delete any files I've downloaded since I created the restore point? Or will it just restore the system files only?

As long as you put the files in the 'normal' locations, they will be fine. System restore excludes rolling back:

%cookies%
%favorites%
%History%
%internetcache%
%nethood%
%personaldocuments%
%ProgramFiles%\WindowsUpdate
%windir%\Downloaded Program Files
%windir%\SoftwareDistribution
%windir%\Offline Web Pages
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Config
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Database
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\DataColl
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\System
%windir%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Vendors
%windir%\pchealth\ErrorRep\UserDumps
%windir%\prefetch
%windir%\temp
*:\~MSSETUP.T
*:\$WIN_NT$.~LS
*:\$WIN_NT$.~BT
%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$
%windir%\security\Database
*:\System Volume Information
*:\SIS Common Store
*:\TEMP
*:\TMP
*:\W95UNDO.INI
*:\W98UNDO.INI
*:\W9XUNDO.INI
*:\WININST0.400
*:\WINLFN.INI
*:\WINUNDO.INI
%SRDataStoreRoot%
%windir%\system32\wbem\repository
%windir%\system32\wbem\repository.tmp
%windir%\system32\wbem\repository.bak
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Favorites
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\All Users\Documents
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\My Documents
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\NetHood
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Favorites
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Cookies
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Cache
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Local Settings\History
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temp
%SystemDrive%\Documents And Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

 

[Smilin]

bsobel you have a doc on that somewhere? That's a nice list.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Smilin
bsobel you have a doc on that somewhere? That's a nice list.

There is a hidden file called filelist.xml in c:\windows\system32\Restore (obviously adjust your path if your not on c:\Windows). That is the xml file that drives system restore and shows what is included and excluded.

Best,
Bill

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Smilin
bsobel you have a doc on that somewhere? That's a nice list.

There is a hidden file called filelist.xml in c:\windows\system32\Restore (obviously adjust your path if your not on c:\Windows). That is the xml file that drives system restore and shows what is included and excluded.

Best,
Bill

:thumbsup: