Recovery files

[Notatechie]

I've used System recovery several times before and since I have photos, music etc. on my computer I've always chosen the nondestructive recovery. While this has helped me keep those files I've wanted, other files (like the old system files) just take up space. How do I delete them? the traditional drop in recycle bin? Well needless to say I'm left with maybe 5 past system settings (if thats what they're called) that I don't plan to use since I can always just use system recovery again right? Well my most recent system recovery left me with a folder that won't let me delete it. Any help on deleting them would, well help

Also the first time I used system recovery, the proccess unistalled microsoft works which came with the computer and left me with no way of reinstalling it. I have numerous files saved in that format and would like to know if there is anyway of reinstalling the program or maybe even going back to those settings with those programs??

I know its alot to read, but thank you all for your time and any help is appreciated

 

[PC eye]

What you are referring to there is the System Restore feature where you use restore points to go back on the calendar. For cleaning off now useless files many point at a free program called CCleaner that will also clean out your browser history and offline content as well unless you uncheck those options. You can find that at http://www.ccleaner.com/

For cleaning up the system registry itself from "orphans" there to get rid of clutter the registry cleanup option found in RegCleaner works far better for that. The main window shows the main registry keys for all programs instaled. It works well in Vista too from what has been seen so far. http://www.dewassoc.com/support/useful/regcleaner.htm

For other folders created by Window the access denied error is common and requires you to have full administrator's priviledges in order to remove some of them. A right click on the folder and unchecking the hidden or read only box can often see them removed.

 

[Notatechie]

thanks

Thanks for the advice PC Eye. I actually have ccleaner already lol .
But I was indeed referring to system recovery not system restore, which saves past system settings and programs etc. under the local disk under a folder labeled my backup. I have to insert a disc whenever I choose system recovery (unlike restore), that I assume reinstalls windows and saves the "backup" folder under the local disk. I don't know much besides that..... thanks for the suggestion tho

 

[PC eye]

For a prebuild you would have the system recovery option with the disk provided. On a custom build you would perform a repair install. Since the recovery disk is used for Windows you would also need the software disk that came along with the system for any programs that were preinstalled. That would be needed to see MS Works restored. Without the software disk you would have to buy a new disk for it.