Can you back up your systme restore points

dstebbins

Member
My system restore only keeps points for up to two weeks.

If these restore points are actually files that the "System Restore" app draws from, then I should be able to back these points up and keep them as long as I want, assuming I have an infinite replenishing supply of storage space.

Does anyone know where I can find these files, for me to back up?
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
If you want to keep them longer, just increase the amount of disk space system restore can use.
 

dstebbins

Member
If you want to keep them longer, just increase the amount of disk space system restore can use.

Are you TRYING to troll me?

First of all, you're not even answering my question! How do you even know that this solution is better for my particular needs, especially when I haven't told you what those needs are?!

Second, the alternative suggestion you're giving me is extremely vague. It's almost like you're expecting me to just magically read your mind and figure out exactly what you're suggesting.

"Just increase the amount of disk space system restore can use?"

A) How do I do that?

B) Doesn't that take away from the disk space I can store other files in?

C) Doesn't my motherboard have a maximum amount of internal hard drive space it can even accommodate at all? I know that's the way it works with RAM.

D) System Restore sessions are few and far between with me. Keeping them for long term, but still separate from the rest of my hard drive (so viruses and other things cannot corrupt them) is ideal for me. Again, don't second guess what solutions are best for me when you don't even know why I need this solution in the first place!

Look, I typically try to be respectful, but this is ridiculous. Your pompous response is based entirely on the self-absorbed delusion that everyone thinks, lives, and uses their computers EXACTLY the way you do! If that's not good enough for my needs, well then ... Phuket. Nobody has the right to have customized computer usage except you!
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Well excuse me, but I wasn't expecting you to fly off the handle there. I was simply expecting another simple question, such as how to do that. But instead you decide to assume I'm being pompous and arrogant. I don't know how much you know, which is why I usually give the basic answer and the more complicated one with steps afterwards.

First of all, you're not even answering my question! How do you even know that this solution is better for my particular needs, especially when I haven't told you what those needs are?!

This was another issue. Maybe if you state all the details in the first post, you'd get a better answer more suited to your needs. I can't read your mind, so I don't know what your needs are.

So, here's another solution. If you like it, fine. If you don't like it, that's fine too. We can find another solution.

If you're looking for a good backup solution, system restore is not the right way to go. It's too vulnerable and has issues recovering sometimes (quite often, actually). You'd be better off making system images (a main full one, then incremental backups daily, weekly, or monthly - up to you) with something like Acronis True Image.

But if you want to increase your system restore usage, right click Computer>Properties>System Protection>Configure System Restore. Then drag the slider to allocate more disk usage.
 
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dstebbins

Member
I usually give the basic answer and the more complicated one with steps afterwards.
No, you WEREN'T giving the basic answer! You were giving an answer that was completely unrelated to the basic question!

That's like me asking "how hot do I make my oven to cook a potato wrapped in tin foil, and how long do I leave it in there?" and then you respond with "Oh, just call Pizza Hut and order a pizza! That's a lot easier!"

This was another issue. Maybe if you state all the details in the first post, you'd get a better answer more suited to your needs.
I asked "Where are the system restore files located, so I can back them up?" How is that question even slightly ambiguous?

I can't read your mind, so I don't know what your needs are.
Why do you need to? I asked you a question; why can't you just give me the answer to that question?!

So, here's another solution. If you like it, fine. If you don't like it, that's fine too. We can find another solution.
Or... you can just stop with the alternative solutions I never asked for and give me the answer I actually asked a question about!

But if you want to increase your system restore usage, right click Computer>Properties>System Protection>Configure System Restore. Then drag the slider to allocate more disk usage.
How ... do ... I ... move ... the ... points ... to ... a ... back ... up ... stor ... age ... de ... vice?!
 
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Geoff

VIP Member
No, you WEREN'T giving the basic answer! You were giving an answer that was completely unrelated to the basic question!

That's like me asking "how hot do I make my oven to cook a potato wrapped in tin foil," and then you respond with "Oh, just call Pizza Hut and order a pizza! That's a lot easier!"


I asked "Where are the system restore files located, so I can back them up?" How is that question even slightly ambiguous?


Why do you need to? I asked you a question; why can't you just give me the answer to that question?!


Or... you can just stop with the alternative solutions I never asked for and give me the answer I actually asked a question about!


How ... do ... I ... move ... the ... points ... to ... a ... back ... up ... stor ... age ... de ... vice?!
Your post came off quite clear to me, I'm not sure what the deal is with the above posters.

To answer your question, the system restore points are stored in a hidden folder on the root level of the OS drive, under "System Volume Information". Just as a word of advice, I have not tried this personally so I do not know if you can reliably copy these to an external drive and then back and restore from them, you may want to test this out.
 

dstebbins

Member
the system restore points are stored in a hidden folder on the root level of the OS drive, under "System Volume Information".
See? Now, was that so hard?!

Heck, I'm not even upset at the extra advice ... because Geoff gave it AFTER answering my question in the first instance!

Just as a word of advice, I have not tried this personally so I do not know if you can reliably copy these to an external drive and then back and restore from them, you may want to test this out.
Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?!:D

EDIT: I couldn't find the place you're talking about. If it helps, I'm using Vista Home Premium. As I did a keyword search for the phrase "System Volume Information," the only search results I got were PDF documents and a file located in my Firefox Folder.

Can you be so kind (since you're the only one who seems willing to assist me) to give me step-by-step directions, starting from the START button?
 

Geoff

VIP Member
See? Now, was that so hard?!

Heck, I'm not even upset at the extra advice ... because Geoff gave it AFTER answering my question in the first instance!


Well, there's only one way to find out, isn't there?!:D

EDIT: I couldn't find the place you're talking about. If it helps, I'm using Vista Home Premium. As I did a keyword search for the phrase "System Volume Information," the only search results I got were PDF documents and a file located in my Firefox Folder.

Can you be so kind (since you're the only one who seems willing to assist me) to give me step-by-step directions, starting from the START button?
You will first need to make the folder visible, as it's a hidden folder. Open up an Explorer window, go to folder options (I believe under tools or edit), and check show hidden files and folders and uncheck hide protected operating system files.
 

dstebbins

Member
Ok, I did everything you said, but I still can't find "System Volume Information."

Again, step by step directions, starting from the "START" button, would probably be ideal.
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Once you have hidden files and folders enabled, you should find them on the root of the C:\ drive.

So if you explore the C:\ drive, you should see "C:\System Volume Information"
 

fade2green514

Active Member
-click the start button
-search for folder options
-click folder options
-click the view tab at the top of folder options.
-under advanced settings you will see "hidden files and folders"
-click the radio button that says "show hidden files, folder, and drives"

that should allow you to see any folder even system folders.

furthermore, you should really take a class in this or something. its very basic.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
Ok, I did everything you said, but I still can't find "System Volume Information."

Again, step by step directions, starting from the "START" button, would probably be ideal.

Once you have hidden files and folders enabled, you should find them on the root of the C:\ drive.

So if you explore the C:\ drive, you should see "C:\System Volume Information"
This.

If you still can't get it to work, when I get home from work I can try and take some screenshots to show you.
 

dstebbins

Member
Once you have hidden files and folders enabled, you should find them on the root of the C:\ drive.

So if you explore the C:\ drive, you should see "C:\System Volume Information"

ErrorMessage_zpsd4dd232e.jpg
 

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Try going to C:\Windows and looking for the Explorer exe. Right click and choose Run As Administrator. Then naviate to C:\System Volume Information.
 

Geoff

VIP Member
That folder is there, I looked for it myself, the problem is I also get the access is denied error. I can't seem to take ownership of it either.
 
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