Where in the hell does Windows 7 save my physical 'restore point' files?

[TheDarkKnight]

I created a 'restore point' in Windows 7 about a month ago. When I recently tried to restore back to this point in time the Windows 7 'restore point' software never even showed the last 'restore point' I saved. So I created a new 'restore point' to see if it would show up in the list and it does.

Can somebody tell me under which folder these 'restore point' files are being saved so that I can back them up somewhere for extra security. Apparently, Microsoft went in and deleted the last restore point without asking me by some default setting.

Also, if someone could give the file extension of my 'restore point' saves as well. I am gonna make damn sure this doesn't happen again. You think you have everything covered when you really don't. Thanks Microsoft.

 

[Imaginer]

Restore points are "very temporary", "short lived", rollback points to immediately jump to a state before changes that do not agree with proper operation are made. What you want to do, is backup your OS/programs drive if going on a month fallback conputer insurance plan.

 

[WilliamM2]

Restore point files are stored in the System Volume Information folder, which is a hidden system folder. IIR even if you un-hide the folder, you will have to change the properties and take ownership before you can do anything with it.

You would be better off to write a system image stored on another drive. System restore is worthless if your drive fails, or you can no longer boot into Windows for any reason.

Any type of backup stored on your boot drive is as far from having "everything covered" as can be.

 

[Matt1970]

Restore point files are stored in the System Volume Information folder, which is a hidden system folder. IIR even if you un-hide the folder, you will have to change the properties and take ownership before you can do anything with it.

You would be better off to write a system image stored on another drive. System restore is worthless if your drive fails, or you can no longer boot into Windows for any reason.

Any type of backup stored on your boot drive is as far from having "everything covered" as can be.

You can still access system restore by booting to a Windows DVD.

 

[WilliamM2]

You can still access system restore by booting to a Windows DVD.

If the drive fails?

 

[Matt1970]

If the drive fails?

No, if it fails you are done. The Windows DVD can however access your restore points and get you back to whichever you select. I am increasingly using that on machines I get in with the dreaded ransomware where you can't get to the desktop in safe mode.

 

[denis280]

Only make restore point before you install new stuff.in case it fails
O! and Matt really like your hair man:biggrin:

 

[Matt1970]

Only make restore point before you install new stuff.in case it fails
O! and Matt really like your hair man:biggrin:

It's the humidity.

 

[Ketchup]

It's the humidity.

Nice!

 

[VirtualLarry]

No, if it fails you are done. The Windows DVD can however access your restore points and get you back to whichever you select. I am increasingly using that on machines I get in with the dreaded ransomware where you can't get to the desktop in safe mode.

Does system restore really work for ransomware? Maybe I should have tried that, rather than go for a two-day re-format job.

 

[denis280]

It's the humidity.

Yeah!right

Nice!

Sure! that's since we when out for a drive in your car.Matt with is head out of the window.and you guys left me on that island.Thanks alot.loll

 

[Dahak]

Does system restore really work for ransomware? Maybe I should have tried that, rather than go for a two-day re-format job.

I have had it work once, shortly after they got it. But some times it does not. I had not tried very often either. I might depend on the ransomware and how it loads

but back to the topic, as mentioned above, they are in a hidden folder and even if you did back them up there is not likely a way to restore them and then do the restore

And it is meant for a immediate(week or so) repair more than a fix that you would do a month later or as a backup as it is NOT a backup

 

[mikeymikec]

I'm wondering whether the OP should look into the Windows Backup 'Create system image' feature rather than system restore.

System Restore IMO is a newbie feature to get them out of trouble. I would advise only using System Restore if you can't fix the problem yourself (perhaps obvious-sounding, but it's a blunt 'fix all' tool which kind of does and doesn't), and restore back as few days as possible. Otherwise you run the risk of SR doing a little too much, for example, doing a partial restore of your security software's files and causing it to seriously burp.

The 'create system image' feature allows one to reset the system back to some pre-determined 'ideal' state (onto the same hardware as before, unless you know what you're talking about). Keeping separate backups of your personal files is strongly advised though, because the system image feature is basically one step away from a wipe and clean install.

When/if I put a boot SSD into my system, I'll do a clean install of Windows, then after the day or so of applications installs and configuration, perhaps I'll create a system image then. I can't think of a more tedious way to spend my time these days than doing a clean install on my own PC.

 

[Matt1970]

Does system restore really work for ransomware? Maybe I should have tried that, rather than go for a two-day re-format job.

Yes it does. And it's quicker than a scan from a repair DVD that sometimes doesn't work or taking the drive out and scanning it which also sometimes doesn't work.

For those who don't know how to access it:

Boot to your Windows 7 DVD or USB drive.

Click next at the language/keyboard options screen.
Select "Repair your computer" at the next screen.
The next screen will scan for your existing windows installations. Make sure "use recovery tools...." option is selected and your installation is highlighted and click next.
Select "system Restore" on the next screen, and then of course another click here dummy screen you have to click next on, and then and make sure you pick a date before the infection occurred. Click next and you are done.

I still follow it up with my usual malware scans.

 

[Matt1970]

Yeah!rightSure! that's since we when out for a drive in your car.Matt with is head out of the window.and you guys left me on that island.Thanks alot.loll

It was a tropical island with hula dancers. I am sure you found a way to pass the time.....

 

[Raduque]

Yes it does. And it's quicker than a scan from a repair DVD that sometimes doesn't work or taking the drive out and scanning it which also sometimes doesn't work.

For those who don't know how to access it:

Boot to your Windows 7 DVD or USB drive.

Click next at the language/keyboard options screen.
Select "Repair your computer" at the next screen.
The next screen will scan for your existing windows installations. Make sure "use recovery tools...." option is selected and your installation is highlighted and click next.
Select "system Restore" on the next screen, and then of course another click here dummy screen you have to click next on, and then and make sure you pick a date before the infection occurred. Click next and you are done.

I still follow it up with my usual malware scans.

I imagine this would be pretty useless against that one that encrypts your files. Nobody's really figured out how to beat that one yet.

Edit: by "beat" I mean "decrypt the files" You can do everything right and remove the infection and set the system back to working condition, but the encrypted files are still encrypted.