Solved How to stop Periodic System Restore points?

To be clear, I'm only seeking to --stop the system from creating restore-points, if nothing has been added, removed or changed within the OS. I do not want to disable 'System Protection'.

Respectfully

Other than manual restore points taken by the user, System Restore Points are only created in an event triggered way by the following methods...

System Restore automatically creates a restore point before any of the following events occur:​

• Application installation (applies only to applications that use a System Restore-compliant installer). If the application installation causes system problems, the user can restore the system to a state that precedes the installation.
• Windows Update or AutoUpdate installation. Windows Update (previously known as AutoUpdate) automatically downloads and installs Windows updates. Additionally, it provides an easy way for users to manually download and install updates. System Restore creates a restore point before an update is installed, whether automatically or manually.
• System restore operation. System Restore automatically creates a restore point as a backup before any restore operation starts. For example, assume that a user accidentally restores Windows to an incorrect restore point. To undo that restoration, the user can restore Windows to a restore point that is previous to the first restore point. After Windows has been restored to its initial state, the user can repeat the process, this time selecting the correct restore point.

Those are all methods which either change the OS or applications used by the OS. System Protection will allow the OS (Win07+) to create a Restore Point once every 7-days if none have been taken previously in those 7-days. Those are the only automatic restore points I'm aware of. I don't believe the once every 7-day restore point can be turned off unless System Protection is turned off.

@Froggie , this image may contradict that thought, and/or suggest otherwise. Currently I'm looking through 'Task Scheduler', as there is more to this. In addition to this auto-restore-point, something reset the 'System Protection' configuration I saved for c:\; deleting my manually created 'points'. At this point-in-time, I need to find where this is located then, switch it off.

This box is not Inet connected, hence nothing can be auto downloaded/installed.

Respectfully

Update: Found it, see image.

Query01 said:

I need to find where this is located then, switch it off.

Click to expand...

HI Query!

If I may, how old were your first and last manual SR points?
How many were there in the system box? (points)
How much space is allocated to System Restore points?
SR will automatically delete the older restore point.
My system should create a restore point every day on it's
own and when there are too many it will also delete the
last ones to accommodate new ones.

SR Properties gives you lots of flexibility to configure it
if you click on the other tabs.

I still have to ask, is the system working properly?
I don't think this would make a difference but, have you run
a sfc /scannow and DISM after the last MS updates?

@Flashorn hi, I'm not sure this is worth continuing; the issue has been found and (hopfully) resolved. However, let's continue in case one of us is missing something. The install date was 20231028, 'System Protection' was configured 'only' for c:\ --with a generous amount of 279.53\GB of disk space for 'System Protection' use.

a) Box was never Inet connected, b) I had approx four or five manual 'points' created. c) Review the second image and its scheduled run-time. d) Look at today's timestamp. That said, there is no way (I know of) whereby, five manual restore points could use that amount of space, to cause any (one) subsequent created 'restore point', specifically the one displayed in the image, to push off (delete), --every previously generated point since the OS installation date.

With the added cherry of resetting the 'System Protection' config to its default disk space. Which is what I believe caused the loss of the previous points. The disabling of the scheduled task is a huge step (for me), to find out if this involuntary configuration change happens again. Clearly the scheduled tasks' last run history, matched exactly with the only entry in the 'restore' list.

As a side note, I've already confirmed the Win-11\Reset PC keep personal files, will in-fact touch or otherwise fondle personal files on an additional drive attached, and the desktop. I just haven't yet found a easy way to capture the video. I'm feeling this 'System Protection' experience is another undocumented feature.

Did I answer your query, did I miss anything? I'm listening ...

@Query01


Most of us disable System Restore entirely, and use 3rd party backup software instead.
Backup software... will do what you're asking.
System Restore will not.

@Ghot , I don't run much. If the data is that important, I copy it. However, since coming to Win-11 on this mach, and experienced a 4\TB gpt partition disappear during a routine cut/paste, I am thinking about Raid.

Query01 said:

@Ghot , I don't run much. If the data is that important, I copy it. However, since coming to Win-11 on this mach, and experienced a 4\TB gpt partition disappear during a routine cut/past, I am thinking about Raid.

Click to expand...

In these days of fast SSDs, RAID is more trouble than it's worth.
More than ever, with Windows 11 we are Microsoft's guinea pigs.

Do "yourself" a favor... use 3rd party backup software.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is free and simple to use.

Macrium Reflect is not free (any more), but it does much more than AOMEI.
All the necessary links are in the Guide I posted above.

Ghot said:

Macrium Reflect is not free (any more), but it does much more than AOMEI.
All the necessary links are in the Guide I posted above.

Click to expand...

Not quite true - Macrium Reflect is no longer being developed as a free version, but you can still download the last free version and use it although it is still being updated (bug fixes only) until the end of the year.

I use System Restore, along with Macrium Reflect Home, Version 8, and Easus Todo Backup Home. I have found System Restore to be especially helpful if I need to quickly undo what a new install has done to my computer. I only image my drive once a week with 3rd-party imaging software.

With System Restore, it is important to do the "restore" from Safe Mode to prevent security software from messing with it and causing a failed restore.

For me, System Restore is just an added layer of backup. A useful utility to get is Shadow Explorer. This is freeware.

Just my two cents.

Regards,
Phil

Query01 said:

Did I answer your query, did I miss anything? I'm listening ...

Click to expand...

Yep, seems that you have sorted out your issue. Good.
I ask questions so it gives you ideas on where to begin
and also hopefully , others will join in and comment on
where to look. Hope you're still listening Query!

sensible comment from @garioch7

I prefer shadowcopyview (free from nir sofer's site ) for easy access of the contents of shadow copies.

One or more of these links may be useful:

garioch7 said:

With System Restore, it is important to do the "restore" from Safe Mode to prevent security software from messing with it and causing a failed restore.

Click to expand...

Sorry but, I simply exit MalwareBytes' and proceed with the restore. Hasn't failed me yet.

I don't know why people try to turn things into rocket science when a simple question was asked...

Query01 said:

To be clear, I'm only seeking to --stop the system from creating restore-points, if nothing has been added, removed or changed within the OS.

Click to expand...

The solution can be found in "System Properties". This tutorial will show you how to get there: Turn On or Off System Protection for Drives in Windows 11 Tutorial

Query01 said:

I do not want to disable 'System Protection'.

Respectfully

Click to expand...

Be aware disabling Restore Points, also disables the System Protection. If it's an issue of storage usage, you can adjust that by moving the "Max Usage slider left or right as shown in the right image.

Anyway, I keep mine "On" for C-Drive as I occasionally do use and need Restore Points.

Dru2 said:

I don't know why people try to turn things into rocket science when a simple question was asked...

Click to expand...

@Dru2 -- this is something that is done quite frequently, across the board, when it comes to community forum's; I try to look past/beyond those entries.

Flashorn said:

Hope you're still listening Query!

Click to expand...

@Flashorn 'yes', I am listening.
I'm walking through some of these responses in an effort to understand --how/why they believe their contribution addresses the initial\original post.

Query01 said:

@Dru2 -- this is something that is done quite frequently, across the board, when it comes to community forum's; I try to look past/beyond those entries.

Click to expand...

OK, but did my post answer your question?

Dru2 said:

OK, but did my post answer your question?

Click to expand...

@Dru2 , the issue had already been resolved back on Tuesday at 8:44 PM, with images, in a response to Froggie.

OK

The problem with system restore points is that it wipes out the one I create.