HELP: System Restore - detailed explaination of "personal files"

[Andrew Wan]

Where is all the data kept for the System Restore?

I had 2 partitions where C:\ is XP system partition, and D:\ is my personal
files (both C & D were being monitored for System Restore). I have an
external portable HD that I synchronise/mirror my personal files with D:\
using folder/file comparison software. I made sure my external portable HD
was up-to-date with D:\.

I did a System Restore to an earlier date. Then I realised "what happens to
D:\"? I did a folder/file comparison on D:\ with my external portable HD.
What?? My personal files structure in D:\ has been changed to that earlier
date.

I thought System Restore only changes "system" files and not personal files.
I didn't get the chance to see whether it changes contents of "personal"
files, but it definitely moved/changed/reverted files.

I googled for System Restore for detailed explainations on what really
happens to your "personal" files, but all MSDN/MS KB pages describe is the
benefits of System Restore. Can anyone enlighten me with the full details on
System Restore regarding "personal files".

Cheers

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

From: System Restore FAQ:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/newsgroups/faqsrwxp.mspx

Does System restore protect my personal data files like word documents, email etc.?

Answer: System Restore does not monitor changes to or recover users' personal data
files such as documents, drawings, e-mail, and so forth. Also see 'What files are
monitored by System Restore?'.

What files are monitored by System Restore?

Answer: System Restore monitors only a core set of specified system and application
file types (e.g. .exe, .dll etc), archiving the states of these files before system
changes are made. System Restore does not monitor any user/personal data files. To
view the included files specified in System Restore, see Monitored File Extensions in
the System Restore section of the Platform SDK available from
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/sr/sr/monitored_file_extensions.asp.
Modifications to this list from sources other than Microsoft are not supported.

How does System Restore handle passwords?

Answer: System restore handles passwords in the following manner:

Passwords That Are Not Restored:

• Windows XP passwords and hints are not restored. This behavior is by design
to prevent confusion and to prevent you from getting locked out of your computer
because the restore point includes an old password that you do not remember.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer and Content Advisor passwords and hints are not
restored. This behavior is by design to prevent confusion and to prevent problems
that could occur when you browse the Internet, in the event that you restore your
system to a point with an old password that you do not remember.


Passwords That Are Restored

• Program passwords are restored, such as Windows Messenger, AOL Messenger,
Yahoo Messenger, and other Web server-based passwords. This behavior is by design:
The programs simply cache these passwords on the machine; the actual passwords are
stored on a Web server. System Restore does not actually change the password, but it
changes the password that is remembered by the program locally. You still need to use
the current password for the program to log on to the server.

• Domain and Computer passwords for the machine are also cached in a similar
way and are restored by System Restore. As System Restore only rolls back the local
machine state and part of the information about joining domains resides in Active
Directory which is not rolled back by System Restore, the restored cached password
will be updated to the current password as soon as the machine reconnects to the
domain.



etc etc

--

==================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
==================================
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| Where is all the data kept for the System Restore?
|
| I had 2 partitions where C:\ is XP system partition, and D:\ is my personal
| files (both C & D were being monitored for System Restore). I have an
| external portable HD that I synchronise/mirror my personal files with D:\
| using folder/file comparison software. I made sure my external portable HD
| was up-to-date with D:\.
|
| I did a System Restore to an earlier date. Then I realised "what happens to
| D:\"? I did a folder/file comparison on D:\ with my external portable HD.
| What?? My personal files structure in D:\ has been changed to that earlier
| date.
|
| I thought System Restore only changes "system" files and not personal files.
| I didn't get the chance to see whether it changes contents of "personal"
| files, but it definitely moved/changed/reverted files.
|
| I googled for System Restore for detailed explainations on what really
| happens to your "personal" files, but all MSDN/MS KB pages describe is the
| benefits of System Restore. Can anyone enlighten me with the full details on
| System Restore regarding "personal files".
|
| Cheers
|
|

 

[Andrew Wan]

What files are monitored by System Restore?

Answer: System Restore monitors only a core set of specified system and application
file types (e.g. .exe, .dll etc), archiving the states of these files before system
changes are made. System Restore does not monitor any user/personal data files. To
view the included files specified in System Restore, see Monitored File Extensions in
the System Restore section of the Platform SDK available from
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/sr/sr/monitored_file_extensions.asp.
Modifications to this list from sources other than Microsoft are not supported.

Ah, that explains why my setup exe files were changed. Thanks TaurArian.

 

[Rock]

Where is all the data kept for the System Restore?

I had 2 partitions where C:\ is XP system partition, and D:\ is my
personal
files (both C & D were being monitored for System Restore). I have an
external portable HD that I synchronise/mirror my personal files with D:\
using folder/file comparison software. I made sure my external portable HD
was up-to-date with D:\.

I did a System Restore to an earlier date. Then I realised "what happens
to
D:\"? I did a folder/file comparison on D:\ with my external portable HD.
What?? My personal files structure in D:\ has been changed to that earlier
date.

I thought System Restore only changes "system" files and not personal
files.
I didn't get the chance to see whether it changes contents of "personal"
files, but it definitely moved/changed/reverted files.

I googled for System Restore for detailed explainations on what really
happens to your "personal" files, but all MSDN/MS KB pages describe is the
benefits of System Restore. Can anyone enlighten me with the full details
on
System Restore regarding "personal files".

Turn off system restore on data only drives.

 

[Bert Kinney]

In addition, it's of little value to let System Restore monitor the D:\
partition.

As for the external drive, take a look at the following link.
Tips Fixes & FAQs - Should I let System Restore monitor my external hard drive?
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org