Author Topic: clearing system volume  (Read 12376 times)

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x2397

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clearing system volume
« on: January 06, 2012, 05:52:43 PM »
Is it a good idea to clear out the system volume every now and then?

Offline Lisandro

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2012, 06:41:29 PM »
Well... For security, maybe.
For disk usage, also.
Anyway, do not delete the files directly, but use Windows features to do so.

But the major question is, could you really rely on Windows System Restore?
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Offline Asyn

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2012, 06:52:10 PM »
But the major question is, could you really rely on Windows System Restore?

Sure. ;)
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Offline DavidR

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2012, 07:21:50 PM »
But the major question is, could you really rely on Windows System Restore?

Sure. ;)

I for one won't rely on system restore, many people think it is some sort of magic bullet that will take you back to a point in time where 'everything' will be as it was.

The truth is a different story, it doesn't cover all files nor all areas, so there the unforeseen/unexpected consequences of using it. The major problem is that the user doesn't know exactly what is covered by it. It isn't unusual to find that the restore point chosen by the user fails so another has to be chosen, etc.

For me it is the unpredictability of system restore allied with the uncertainty of exactly what it does cover that made me seek out an alternative. That alternative for me has been hard drive imaging software, it is predictable on what it covers and for me in well over 8 years has never failed me.

I run a full image backup every week (keeping the last 6 copies) saved to a second hard drive. I have a small program called mirror that I use several times a day to backup more volatile data, emails, bookmarks, .doc, .xls, image/media files, etc. etc. If you don't want to lose it back it up and often.
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Offline Asyn

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2012, 07:27:49 PM »
I for one won't rely on system restore, many people think it is some sort of magic bullet that will take you back to a point in time where 'everything' will be as it was.

Well, usually it does. ;)
The major problem is that many users don't give it the space it needs.
But I agree with you that an imaging SW is always preferable.
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Offline DavidR

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2012, 07:48:27 PM »
That is the problem, the word 'usually' and that isn't good enough for me and why I elected for an alternative.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2012, 11:42:44 PM »
I use a combination. I make regular Image backups in case the
System Restore fails, I have a sure cure.
Since System Restore is much faster, I always try it first and haven't
had any problems with a restore point except I usually have to re-install avast!  :(
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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2012, 05:48:34 AM »
 :o
i havent did a system restore yet...i havnt had any problems that needs a restore ;D

Offline Marc57

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2012, 07:38:54 AM »
I use a combination. I make regular Image backups in case the
System Restore fails, I have a sure cure.
Since System Restore is much faster, I always try it first and haven't
had any problems with a restore point.


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x2397

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2012, 06:39:05 PM »
Well... For security, maybe.
For disk usage, also.
Anyway, do not delete the files directly, but use Windows features to do so.

But the major question is, could you really rely on Windows System Restore?

What is the windows feature to do it?

Offline bob3160

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2012, 07:00:18 PM »
Well... For security, maybe.
For disk usage, also.
Anyway, do not delete the files directly, but use Windows features to do so.

But the major question is, could you really rely on Windows System Restore?

What is the windows feature to do it?

How to remove all System Restore points except the most recent one
To do this:-
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Click Disc Cleanup
Now launch this utility and click More Options tab. Under which click System Restore and followed by that click Clean Up tab a message will popup -Are you sure you want to delete all but the most recent restore point?Click Yes then OK. Finally another message will  popup-Are you sure you want to perform these actions?Click Yes.
Now, all the System Restore points except the most recent one are cleaned. As a result there will be more free space in hard disk.

You can also use Ccleaner to remove restore points:
http://www.piriform.com/docs/ccleaner/using-ccleaner/removing-system-restore-points

You can also disable and then enable system restore to remove all system restore points:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264887
« Last Edit: January 08, 2012, 07:03:51 PM by bob3160 »
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ady4um

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2012, 09:12:05 PM »
You can also use Ccleaner to remove restore points:
http://www.piriform.com/docs/ccleaner/using-ccleaner/removing-system-restore-points

CCleaner cleans the list or restore points, so they can't be used after the cleaning, but the files are still left untouched in the HDD, so for the purposes of this topic, that's not useful enough.

Quote
You can also disable and then enable system restore to remove all system restore points:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/264887

This is the simpler and more secure method, cleaning all Restore Points including the last one. In some cases, there is a chance that some files would be still left in the HDD, but it is rare. The only "con" is that it requires reboots; one after the first disabling and one after re-enabling System Restore.

Offline DavidR

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2012, 11:01:53 PM »
Well disabling system restore (even with a reboot) and manual deletion of restore points would do the same. Effectively all that they do are to remove the file reference from the file table and mark the space as empty allowing it to be used again, but the data remains there until overwritten.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2012, 11:07:26 PM »
Well disabling system restore (even with a reboot) and manual deletion of restore points would do the same. Effectively all that they do are to remove the file reference from the file table and mark the space as empty allowing it to be used again, but the data remains there until overwritten.
Thanks. :)
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x2397

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Re: clearing system volume
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2012, 05:33:46 PM »
thanks guys for all the input.