Why can't I rely on System Restore for backups?

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A related question if someone can answer. Restoring from full image backup would restore even the user data and files to that previous date. Or is there a way to restore ONLY the programs and settings?

More specifically, is there a way to somehow backup the windows updates (and even the MS Office updates) so that when we reinstall it from the recovery DVD (factory fresh image) we do not have to download the hefty updates again?

If yes, does the method involve downloading all the updates again or the already downloaded updates can be used?

The ONE thing that I don't really like about Vista is the inability to decide how many restore points/memory is used (as I could in XP). Every week, I run maintenance, and when I run disk cleanup, there are at least 5 gb of restore points saved. Waste of disk space.

Leo, Does Restore (XP) roll back Windows updates? I have a problem with a program that suddenly developed unusual behaviour after a packet of Windows updates was installed. I want to Restore to a date prior to the Windows update to test program behaviour. And if the problem goes away, I will re-install each of the updates testing for the "baddie". Will this work?

You can uninstall MS updates from the Add/Remove programs area. You probably will have to put a check in a box at the top to display them.

The best registry backups are made by the free ERUNT progam. Works with Vista and XP. I put this on every customer's computer. Do some googling. Packrat1947

Thanks RonH. Yes, I was looking to use Add/Remove programs but I could not identify the kbxxx updates that were loaded at the time the problem began. When I selected Update History from Windows Update, the only thing listed was Microsoft Update download (!!!!) and looking in C:\Windows listed about 10 kb's. I decided to first test my theory of the problem being caused by an update, by Restoring to an earlier date (which I assumed would roll back those updates). The time it would take to uninstall each likely kb, then reinstall the program, would be wasted if an update was not my problem.
So I would still like to know if Restore does roll back Windows updates. Leo???
Thanks, Bevin.

Dear Leo,

This is do with back-ups. I have some difficulty with finding my current active files which must be miniscule compared with your gargantuan back-up base. Can you please give some tips on your 'filing' system as regards finding specific files in the mass of those that must accrue from your nightly back-up ?

Thank you

Robert George Douglas

I am slightly confused regarding the statement that "System Restore does not backup your data". If I inspect my shadows in the shadowstorage (e.g. with Shadow Explorer) I can see all my files that existed at the time the shadow was written and I can even reimport them. The same goes for system files. How does that relate to your statement that I quoted above? Thanks in advance for your answer. WHS

Hi Leo, thanks for the answer. You are right in the sense that a true backup must be to another media. That's why I use Norton Ghost PLUS a very handy Maxtor One Touch disk that I leave disconnected. However, as long as the HDD stays alive (and that is the base case for most folks), it is possible to recover files and folders from the shadows in shadowstorage. And that has come in handy in several instances - especially if they are system files.

Hello Leo,

I heard that having System Restore on could be a security issue. Is this true?

Thank you

I'd like to ad one point: be aware about making a system backup image...it's best to FIRST run all your "anti" software to get rid of all the viruses and malware you have. Otherwise, if you end up having to use the backup image, you're going to have all the junk you had before you started.

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