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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Mac on April 05, 2006, 17:20

Title: System Restore interval settings
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2006, 17:20

The following are the standard settings.

System Restore makes a restore point every day and keep the restore points for three months...

Quote

Change Restore Point Creation Frequency

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore
Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.
Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value]  // Value Name: RPGlobalInterval
Setting for Value Data: [86400] Decimal

Change Restore Point Retention Lifespan

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore
Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.
Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value] // Value Name: RPLifeInterval
Setting for Value Data: [7862400]

I have mine set to make a restore point every hour and keep them for one day.

The time for one hour is 60 x 60 = 3600 as the RPGlobalInterval Decimal value.

And for one day is 24 x 60 x 60 = 86400 for the RPLifeInterval Decimal value.

When the settings have been changed close the Registry Editor and re-boot.

Title: System Restore interval settings
Post by: Simon on April 05, 2006, 17:59

It never seems to function for me, and it's guaranteed not to work when you desparately need it to, so I wouldn't rely on it for backup purposes, but it sometimes comes in handy in certain situations - when it works.

Title: Drive Imaging is Preferable.
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2006, 18:19

I prefer to rely on drive imaging and use TeraByte Unlimited's (http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng_screens.html) product range.

I never rely on System Restore as it has a tendency to restore any previous faults which it has picked up automatically.

If I add a program I put in an Admin Checkpoint manually before doing the installation, and that is all I use it for except to use it on an hour to hour basis during the day.

Title: System Restore interval settings
Post by: Simon on April 05, 2006, 18:45

It also tends to store recalcitrant spyware or viruses, which is why it's always advisable to switch it off before doing any spyware / virus cleaning.

Title: System Restore interval settings
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2006, 18:49

Precisely.

It can be a nuisance, removing anti-virus updates, so that when you re-boot the AV scanning engine won't start and you find that you have to uninstall the AV program in Safe Mode and re-install it.

One of the reasons why I stopped using Norton Anti Virus some years ago.

This hasn't happened so far when using AVG.