Just saved 300GB...Make sure you check it, too!

[Cattykit]

While System Restore Point can benefit most of users, it's the first thing I turn off after installing Windows. Because they were always off, I didn't think it'd sitting there taking up space. I was wrong.

Even if it's turned off, the space that was reserved for this feature remains! In other words, the space reserved by default remains even if you manually turn it off.

In my case, Windows 7 or Vista that I was using before automatically reserved 300GB out of 850GB drive and, after all this time, it's been sitting there for nothing.

Just in case, click the "configure" tab on the System Restore Point option to see if any or too much space is being reserved.

 

[13Gigatons]

I turned it off and use Acronis True Image. Don't really need both going and eating up resources.

 

[SimMike2]

I think system restore automatically re-sizes the restore size as the drive gets fuller, or the partition is smaller to begin with. So while you had 300GB, the only reason it was that big is because you weren't using the space anyway. In my opinion, most people don't have to worry about this.

 

[sivart]

I have my system restore on Windows 7 set to 10GB. You can run cleanmgr.exe (I think that is the executable name) at anytime and delete all but the last system restore point. Just checked mine and even with about 12 system restore points, my total install was only 27GB (Windows, Apps, Media Center, etc)

 

[Red Squirrel]

lol 23GB. You know, this is one of those XP features I know about but always always overlook. In fact mine is actually enabled. Might be time to free up some space.

Where does it store the data anyway?

 

[Cattykit]

I think system restore automatically re-sizes the restore size as the drive gets fuller, or the partition is smaller to begin with. So while you had 300GB, the only reason it was that big is because you weren't using the space anyway. In my opinion, most people don't have to worry about this.

I don't know if it does that but I know I only had small remaining spaces: I had 65GB left out of 851GB. Now it's 365GB

 

[Dahak]

also the other downside to completely turning off system restore is that in windows 7 it needs to be on to be able to use the previous versions option. But you can set it so it will only be enabled for that alone and not for a full system restore point

 

[ViRGE]

Bear in mind that you can adjust the amount of space allocated for System Restore data. I would not advise disabling it outright; even I have run in to occasions where it's been handy to have a very recent backup of my system data. If you need more space you can reduce the amount of space allocated to free up some space, but you should leave it turned on.

 

[Cogman]

Vistas restore point has saved my butt more then once, Thanks, but no thanks. I'm leaving it on.

 

[Cattykit]

I recommand System Restore for others, but for me, I find it useless. I'd rather use VHD I made if I ever want to go back to certain stage.

 

[Modelworks]

Backup service does this too if you set it to do it automatically at certain times. It just keeps creating new total images of the drive.

 

[flexy]

Vistas restore point has saved my butt more then once, Thanks, but no thanks. I'm leaving it on.

this! And i bet 99,9% if i turn it off i might run into a problem tomorrow where i wish i had a restore point

 

[Mem]

this! And i bet 99,9% if i turn it off i might run into a problem tomorrow where i wish i had a restore point

Hehe.... never had to use system restore since XP years and years ago,however I know if I disabled it on Vista and my Win7 PCs I 'll probably get a problem pop up ,so better safe then sorry as they say,never tempt fate .

 

[brocks]

Bear in mind that you can adjust the amount of space allocated for System Restore data. I would not advise disabling it outright; even I have run in to occasions where it's been handy to have a very recent backup of my system data..

I can see the use for it on the system drive, but does it do anything on the other drives?

 

[13Gigatons]

I can see the use for it on the system drive, but does it do anything on the other drives?

It also creates older versions of files so if they get modified and you need to jump back in time you can.

 

[Phynaz]

Just use ccleaner to clean up the old restore points.