Large System Volume Information Folder

[Tim]

I've got a 2nd drive (D that I use just for backing up Drive C. There is
a System Volume Information folder on that drive that is taking up 60GB. My
understanding is that this folder contains restore points. The problem is
this: when I go to System Properties, System Protection tab, Drive D is not
checked and it says there are no restore points for that drive. (Of course
C: is checked, and there are restore points for that drive.) In looking at
the System Volume Information folder on Drive D, restore points are being
created about once a week. Since restore points are already disabled for
that drive, how do I stop these from being created? Are the files safe to
delete?

 

[Tim]

In doing a little more research, it appears that Complete PC Backup
automatically creates shadow copies, and this is probably what I'm seeing on
Drive D. I'm not sure I understand the usefullness of Complete PC Backup
creating shadow copies. Since it's already backing up the entire drive, it
seems redundant. And there are daily shadow copies already being created on
Drive C. In any event, I have no problem with them, as long as they will be
automatically deleted in the event my Complete PC Backup file needs the
space. Anyone know the answer?

 

[Guest]

You could reduce the amount of space reserved by System Restore, here
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/decrease_storage_space-allocated_to_system_restore.htm

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

In doing a little more research, it appears that Complete PC Backup
automatically creates shadow copies, and this is probably what I'm seeing on
Drive D. I'm not sure I understand the usefullness of Complete PC Backup
creating shadow copies. Since it's already backing up the entire drive, it
seems redundant.

It's the other way round; the only way backup can backup files that
are "in use" is by spawning a shadow copy and backing that up instead.

You'd think it would clear them when done, tho.

--------------- ---- --- -- - - - -

Saws are too hard to use.
Be easier to use!

 

[Jill Zoeller [MSFT]]

Incremental Complete PC Backups are stored as restore points on the target
volume. These are basically the deltas/changes on the volume since your last
Complete PC Backup. We set aside up to 30% of your volume to store these
(versus the default 15% for other volumes). When you hit that 30% limit, the
oldest restore points will be deleted.

 

[Tim]

Still, it appears that the vhd file contains the entirety of the backup
(I've mounted it and looked at the contents using vhdmount). So aren't
these restore points duplicative of what's in the vhd file?

 

[Jill Zoeller [MSFT]]

Yes, the vhd file contains the latest backup, but the changes between that
backup and the previous backup are saved as shadow copies. So if you wanted
to restore your computer to an earlier date than your last backup, you can
do so.

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