System Restore - what happens when it runs out of space?

Does it automatically start removing the older Restore points and replacing them with the newest ones?
I've been creating restore points before installing any new software, but that's given me about 20 of them in the past week (new computer!). Everything still seems to be working fine, and I'm wondering if I should turn System Restore off and then on again to wipe the slate clean. If, on the other hand, SR will automatically get rid of the older restore points when it starts running out of room, then I'll just let it be.

 

rebecca--It depends on how many months in the past for which you want to keep Restore Points. They do use up harddisk space. You can limit the amount of space used (and therefore number of Restore Points), if you want. Simultaneously click Winkey+Pause/break|System Restore tab. Set the slider to no more than half way to Max|Apply. My guess is that will allow you to keep at leasttwo or maybe three months worth.

 

I must ask a question or two here because this seems to be a matter of personal choice.

What good are system Restore Points over a few days old ?

Especially if you have made changes ?

Or. Maybe more important. If you have had and fixed any problems. WHY would you want a RP from before then ?

I just looked and I only have three RPs. One from yesterday ( made by me ) before a major housecleaning. One ( by me ) after cleaning and before the installation of a piece of new software. And one from today that windows itself made this AM. ( much to my surprise )

Now if I were to restore the RP made before the Cleaning I would have wasted time cleaning. And I would most likely lose my new software. And I may well need to do the cleaning and the new software all over again.

OOPS !!! I almost forgot. I installed the several Windows Updates last evening also. So that looks like yesterdays RPs might be a problem if used and I forgot to reinstall the updates.

In my way of thinking Restore points are nothing other than a backup. And if backups are not kept up to date they can be useless also.

No matter how you spell it. Backups are only as good as they are kept up to date.

BillyBob

 

BB, the older Restore Points can be of value when you need to roll back to a time before some obscure problem raised its ugly head. You may have to reinstall some programs or updates but that's much easier than reinstalling the System, which might be required otherwise.

Personally I keep System Restore disabled and run GoBack instead.

 

I will not argue with that point. I have done that too.

But if the case be that you find and fix that problem. Why would you want to keep the old RPs ?

I have made that mistake. Without thinking and I put back not 1 but 2 problems that I had fixed. ( can't print my language )

The Restore Points are an area where THE USER has to evaluate his/her situation and work accordingly.

I do not believe there is any real cut-n-dried rule here.

BillyBob