Is there a way to create only fixed number of system restore ?

William654 · Mar 10, 2024

For example instead of setting a specific storage amount I want every time I create a system restore point the system keep only last 4 . Is there a way to do that ?

cereberus · Mar 10, 2024

garlin · Mar 10, 2024

No, from the System Protection UI. But it's possible to write a scheduled task script to delete older restore points.

But you don't want to do that. System Restore points can be created for a number of reasons:
- Windows Updates are installed
- drivers are updated
- new applications are installed
- user initiated checkpoint

Some of these restore points may preserve a lot of changes, and some don't. For example, a driver update means it's not keeping many old files. But it counts as one restore point.

If you limit Windows to the last 4 restores, maybe the 5th or 6th backup was more important for keeping around. That's why System Restore bases itself on how much space is allocated. Once it runs over on disk space, Windows purges the oldest copies until it frees enough room for future backups.

Kees · Mar 10, 2024

The last time I used System restore, was in the (early) Windows XP (or my even be the Win2000) years. It appeared to be rather unreliable.
Since then, I use an imaging program to make an image from the whole system partition.
And because I have my user data (document, pictures etc.) on another partition, I never will lose any data when restoring an image.

The imaging system is a far better system to return to a former state than the system restore system. It only demands some organisation around things to install or update (make notes about what you installed or updated when). And you need a third party program for it. Some of such programs are free. I use Filezilla, but that rather user-unfriendly.

wiganken · Mar 10, 2024

Agree with @Kees - I believe system restore is a very clunkey and unreliable tool. Instead I use Macrium Reflect Free to create backup images and I have 'System Protection' disabled. MRF allows you to set 'Retention rules' so that you control how many images you wish to save and when to create images. Much more reliable and controllable.

garlin · Mar 10, 2024

System Restore was never intended for making backups. It's simply a way to revert recent system changes. Nothing more.

William654 · Mar 10, 2024

garlin said:
It's simply a way to revert recent system changes.

Yes I know problem that I may install an app and the app might make windows unbootable so to speed things up instead of restore a complete backup I just use restore point. I set it at 1% =18GB was looking to save some space too

OldNavy · Mar 10, 2024

William you really should take the hints mentioned in here and use a proper backup program.
There are free options available.

Wisewiz · Mar 10, 2024

CCleaner (Free) is an excellent program when used wisely. The first thing you do the first time you run CCleaner is UN-do all the preset options.

Now, to your point: In CCleaner > Tools > System Restore, you'll find a complete list of your Restore Points, and you can select and remove as many as you wish, except for the latest one. That one is protected.

I have a scheduled task in Task Scheduler that creates a new Restore point daily. CCleaner lets me shorten the list as I wish.

But I agree with all the points made here: Use an imaging program. System Restore is a weak crutch compared to the mighty support of an imaging program.

William654 · Mar 10, 2024

Wisewiz said:
I have a scheduled task in Task Scheduler that creates a new Restore point daily

I do that too, twice a week

Try3 · Mar 10, 2024

William654 said:
problem that I may install an app and the app might make windows unbootable so to speed things up instead of restore a complete backup I just use restore point

William,

You are assuming that installing that app did not make Windows think your restore points were no longer valid.
Windows deletes restore points when it decides it is appropriate and does so without asking you or even informing you.

All the best,
Denis

garlin · Mar 10, 2024

Try3 said:
You are assuming that installing that app did not make Windows think your restore points were no longer valid.
Windows deletes restore points when it decides it is appropriate and does so without asking you or even informing you.

Typically this only happens when you run low on disk space available to System Restore. OP has 1% (18 GB) as their upper limit.

William654 · Mar 10, 2024

Try3 said:
You are assuming that installing that app did not make Windows think your restore points were no longer valid.

What you mean ? you mean the app will remove valid restore point ? no there are several ones

garlin · Mar 10, 2024

This script will delete all, except for the last 4 restore points. You can run it from a scheduled task, as Administrator.

To run the script in test mode (where nothing is removed), change the last line to read:

Code:

Delete-ComputerRestorePoint $_ -WhatIf

Wisewiz · Mar 10, 2024

William654 said:
to speed things up instead of restore a complete backup I just use restore point.

On that point: I can restore a complete image of my C: and D: drives, containing all of Windows and all of my programs, in less than half the time it takes for System Restore to run and return to a previous restore point.

William654 · Mar 10, 2024

Wisewiz said:
On that point: I can restore a complete image of my C: and D: drives, containing all of Windows and all of my programs, in less than half the time it takes for System Restore to run and return to a previous restore point.

How you do that ? how much data you have ?

Try3 · Mar 10, 2024

William654 said:
you mean the app will remove valid restore point ? no there are several ones

No, Windows does that when it decides a restore point is no longer valid.
I had not previously seen any suggestion that this action was only associated with low disk space.

Denis

garlin · Mar 10, 2024

Previous restore points are kept, unless the user deletes them or Windows runs out of disk space based on the allowed percentage.

1% of a 8 TB disk is larger than 1% of a 2 TB disk. You can't set the percentage below 1%, but someone on a smaller disk will run out of space faster.

Wisewiz · Mar 10, 2024

William654 said:
How you do that ? how much data you have ?

35 programs, not counting Windows built-ins (Paint, Notepad, ...), full install of up-to-date Windows 11 23H2 3155. Zero games, zero movies, zero music, almost zero images. Everything I have that's in those categories is on externals.

hdmi · Mar 11, 2024

garlin said:
You can't set the percentage below 1%, but someone on a smaller disk will run out of space faster.

You can set it to 1MB or greater. vssadmin resize shadowstorage

To be able to (somewhat) more clearly identify restore points, so as to be able to then freely decide what individual restore points you want to delete with vssadmin, refer to my post: Turn On or Off System Protection for Drives in Windows 11 Tutorial

Is there a way to create only fixed number of system restore ?

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