Hi Johan,

Executable file types such as .exe files *are* monitored file types.
System Restore looks at file extensions, not at what the file is used for.

Text files (.txt) are *not* monitored file types, but if you change a text
file such as readme.txt to readme.exe, the readme.exe will become
monitored by System Restore.

The best solution is to stop monitoring partitions other than the one
Windows is installed on.

If you want to exclude an executable file from being monitored on the
monitored Windows drive, place it in the My Documents folder. The My
Documents folder is not monitored by System Restore. This is not true in
Windows Vista.

Please take a look at this list of files and folders that System Restore
monitors.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html

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

johan wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
> Listen to this story. The HD of my computer has two partitions, C and D.
> Beginning this week I reinstalled XP SP2 plus all my applications, all that
> on the C-partition [what a hassle, what a hassle]. The user data and
> installer files from applications are located on the D partition - there is
> no system nor any system files on the D partition.
> I installed Adobe Reader 7.0.7 on the C-partition from its installer on the
> D partition. After that I updated AR to AR 7.0.9 using the updater in the
> installed AR 7.0.7, all that happened on 16 May. That was the LAST
> installation I did, and SR made a restore point just prior to installing AR
> 7.0.7.
> Right after that, I downloaded other installer files which I found on the
> net, namely the big installer for AR 7.0.9 (20MB file), which I found after I
> updated to AR 7.0.9, also the installer AR 6.0, and some other files.
> Apparently those downloaded files where not known/recorded in the last
> Restore Point (RP).
> On 17 May I reverted back to the RP of 16 May. After that I noticed
> immediately that the installer files of AR 7.0.9 and AR 6.0. on the D
> partition were unsaved. More specifically those files are called
> AdbeRdr709_en_US.exe and AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. Undoing the SR made the
> installer files come back.
>
> Conclusion: It looks like SR considers those installer are system files and
> not as data files. If that is really the case, then there is something fuzzy
> with SR. What is the definition of *user files* and *system files*??
>
> Please reply
> thanks
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>
>>
>> johan wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I did an undo of the system restore and the files came back on the D
>>> partition. However, I went back to the 16 May restore point because of the
>>> desktop icon problem. Hence, some of the files (only those put on the D part
>>> after 16 May, which are only a few files) are missing.
>> What type of files are being affected by System Restore on the D: Partition?
>>
>>> I did not know that System Restore could be so dangerous and that only the C
>>> partition is to monitored. WinXP does not warn for those kind a problems if
>>> you monitor also other drives than the C partition. I looked it up in
>>> HelpAndSupportCenter -> PickATask -> Undo changes to your computer with
>>> System Restore but there was no info about data files being lost if you
>>> monitors other partitions than the C partition
>> System Restore does not monitor data type files on any monitored partitions.
>> Here's a list of files and folders System Restore monitors:
>> http://bertk.mvps.org/html/filesfolders.html
>>
>>> Anyhow System Restore is about the system and not about user's data files,
>>> so any System Restore should NOT remove data files. This problem is to be
>>> considered as a very serious bug in WinXP.
>>> Those kind a problems belong to an era of the mid 1990s were catalog tree's
>>> needed to be fixed from time to time. I am bit surprised that a system (anno
>>> 2007) still suffers from problems that should have been solved 10 years ago.
>>>
>>> QUESTIONS:
>>> 1) Can I undo System Restore ONLY for the D partition (and not for the C partition)?
>> No. As suggested, just stop monitoring the D partition.
>>
>>> 2) Can set the System Restore so that it creates a system restore point at
>>> particular times of the day, or when closing the computer??
>> Yes.
>>
>> VB Script to run unattended Restore Point Creation as a Scheduled Task.
>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_d...storepoint.htm
>>
>> Single Click Creation of a System Restore Point/Runs as a Scheduled Task
>> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_sysrestorepoint.htm
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
>> http://bertk.mvps.org
>> Member: http://dts-l.org
>>
>>
>>> "Detlev Dreyer" wrote:
>>>
>>>> "johan" <johan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In order to repair a background color problem of the desktop shortcut
>>>>> icons, which I ran into today, I performed a System Restore based on a
>>>>> restore point of yesterday (16May). The System Restore solved the
>>>>> problem of the desktop icons' color, but at the expense of loss of
>>>>> data files on the D partition. The lost data files where probably
>>>>> added to the D partition after the last system restore point was made
>>>>> on 16 May.
>>>> Start the System Restore tool and undo that system restore.
>>>>
>>>>> Anyhow, is that a normal thing that data files get lost after System
>>>>> Restore?
>>>> This may or may not happen. That's why you should monitor the system
>>>> partition only.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> d-d
>>>>

HEMI-Powered wrote:
> Today, when =?Utf-8?B?am9oYW4=?= uttered these immortal words,
> such was the importance of this profound pronouncement, that is
> is being saved for future reference
>
>> Hi Bert,
>>
>> Listen to this story. The HD of my computer has two
>> partitions, C and D. Beginning this week I reinstalled XP SP2
>> plus all my applications, all that on the C-partition [what a
>> hassle, what a hassle]. The user data and installer files from
>> applications are located on the D partition - there is no
>> system nor any system files on the D partition. I installed
>> Adobe Reader 7.0.7 on the C-partition from its installer on
>> the D partition. After that I updated AR to AR 7.0.9 using the
>> updater in the installed AR 7.0.7, all that happened on 16
>> May. That was the LAST installation I did, and SR made a
>> restore point just prior to installing AR 7.0.7.
>> Right after that, I downloaded other installer files which I
>> found on the net, namely the big installer for AR 7.0.9 (20MB
>> file), which I found after I updated to AR 7.0.9, also the
>> installer AR 6.0, and some other files. Apparently those
>> downloaded files where not known/recorded in the last Restore
>> Point (RP). On 17 May I reverted back to the RP of 16 May.
>> After that I noticed immediately that the installer files of
>> AR 7.0.9 and AR 6.0. on the D partition were unsaved. More
>> specifically those files are called AdbeRdr709_en_US.exe and
>> AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. Undoing the SR made the installer
>> files come back.
>>
>> Conclusion: It looks like SR considers those installer are
>> system files and not as data files. If that is really the
>> case, then there is something fuzzy with SR. What is the
>> definition of *user files* and *system files*??
>>
>> Please reply
>> thanks
>
> Bert, I honestly do not know the technical details of what you
> seek to understand, but I applaud you for wanting to know so as
> to avoid a future problem. I suppose if I wanted to find this
> stuff out, I would start by searching the MS KB, then Kelly's
> Korner of XP Tweaks, and maybe then Googling with some specific
> search strings that are germaine to your questions. I, for one,
> would appreciate you posting what you learn, as I think many
> people would like to be more knowledgeable about what System
> Restore is supposed to do, what it really does, and the best way
> (s) to make it work the way we want it to.

Hi Jerry,

Thank you, and yes, it takes a lot of research using many methods. It's an
ongoing process. :) I have shared this knowledge in several ways.

Most of what I know is in my web site. http://bertk.mvps.org

These two pages will get you started.

Here is a description of System Restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/description.html

Tips on keeping System Restore healthy:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/healthy.html

The folks at AumHa Forums have created a forum that deals primarily with
System Restore issues. http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=54

I have also shared this knowledge on the Microsoft Newsgroups.
Here's a Google group search of "System Restore" in the MS Windows XP
newsgroups.
http://snipurl.com/1l6to

So take your pick. :)


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

Answered in your previous post.

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


johan wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
> Listen to this story. The HD of my computer has two partitions, C and D.
> Beginning this week I reinstalled XP SP2 plus all my applications, all that
> on the C-partition [what a hassle, what a hassle]. The user data and
> installer files from applications are located on the D partition - there is
> no system nor any system files on the D partition.
> I installed Adobe Reader 7.0.7 on the C-partition from its installer on the
> D partition. After that I updated AR to AR 7.0.9 using the updater in the
> installed AR 7.0.7, all that happened on 16 May. That was the LAST
> installation I did, and SR made a restore point just prior to installing AR
> 7.0.7.
> Right after that, I downloaded other installer files which I found on the
> net, namely the big installer for AR 7.0.9 (20MB file), which I found after I
> updated to AR 7.0.9, also the installer AR 6.0, and some other files.
> Apparently those downloaded files where not known/recorded in the last
> Restore Point (RP).
> On 17 May I reverted back to the RP of 16 May. After that I noticed
> immediately that the installer files of AR 7.0.9 and AR 6.0. on the D
> partition were unsaved. More specifically those files are called
> AdbeRdr709_en_US.exe and AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. Undoing the SR made the
> installer files come back.
>
> Conclusion: It looks like SR considers those installer are system files and
> not as data files. If that is really the case, then there is something fuzzy
> with SR. What is the definition of *user files* and *system files*??
>
> Please reply
> thanks
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>> johan wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I did an undo of the system restore and the files came back on the D
>>> partition. However, I went back to the 16 May restore point because of the
>>> desktop icon problem. Hence, some of the files (only those put on the D part
>>> after 16 May, which are only a few files) are missing.
>> What type of files are being affected by System Restore on the D: Partition?
>>
>
>
>
> "Detlev Dreyer" wrote:
>
>> "HEMI-Powered" <none@none.en> wrote:
>>
>>>> This may or may not happen. That's why you should monitor the
>>>> system partition only.
>>>>
>>> Per your last, I fully agree, but if you don't turn it off,
>>> Windows will automagically set-up monitoring of any other devices
>>> it can see including extended partitions or partition(s) on
>>> external HDs. In my case, I have 2 extended partitions on my
>>> internal and 2 on my external. Besides wasting space on those
>>> drives, I don't want a sysstem restore accidently wiping out
>>> files that had nothing at all to do with why I did the restore in
>>> the first place.
>> "Exclude specific folders from system restore backup"
>> http://www.tweakxp.com/article37472.aspx
>>
>> In order to exclude an external hard drive permanently, assign the
>> value "X:\* /s" (w/o quotes) to the new multi-string value and replace
>> "X:" with the hard drive letter.
>>
>> --
>> d-d
>>

Answered in a previous post.

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

johan wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
> Listen to this story. The HD of my computer has two partitions, C and D.
> Beginning this week I reinstalled XP SP2 plus all my applications, all that
> on the C-partition [what a hassle, what a hassle]. The user data and
> installer files from applications are located on the D partition - there is
> no system nor any system files on the D partition.
> I installed Adobe Reader 7.0.7 on the C-partition from its installer on the
> D partition. After that I updated AR to AR 7.0.9 using the updater in the
> installed AR 7.0.7, all that happened on 16 May. That was the LAST
> installation I did, and SR made a restore point just prior to installing AR
> 7.0.7.
> Right after that, I downloaded other installer files which I found on the
> net, namely the big installer for AR 7.0.9 (20MB file), which I found after I
> updated to AR 7.0.9, also the installer AR 6.0, and some other files.
> Apparently those downloaded files where not known/recorded in the last
> Restore Point (RP).
> On 17 May I reverted back to the RP of 16 May. After that I noticed
> immediately that the installer files of AR 7.0.9 and AR 6.0. on the D
> partition were unsaved. More specifically those files are called
> AdbeRdr709_en_US.exe and AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. Undoing the SR made the
> installer files come back.
>
> Conclusion: It looks like SR considers those installer are system files and
> not as data files. If that is really the case, then there is something fuzzy
> with SR. What is the definition of *user files* and *system files*??
>
> Please reply
> thanks
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>> johan wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I did an undo of the system restore and the files came back on the D
>>> partition. However, I went back to the 16 May restore point because of the
>>> desktop icon problem. Hence, some of the files (only those put on the D part
>>> after 16 May, which are only a few files) are missing.
>> What type of files are being affected by System Restore on the D: Partition?
>>
>
>
> "HEMI-Powered" wrote:
>
>> Today, Detlev Dreyer made these interesting comments ...
>>
>>>> In order to repair a background color problem of the desktop
>>>> shortcut icons, which I ran into today, I performed a System
>>>> Restore based on a restore point of yesterday (16May). The
>>>> System Restore solved the problem of the desktop icons'
>>>> color, but at the expense of loss of data files on the D
>>>> partition. The lost data files where probably added to the D
>>>> partition after the last system restore point was made on 16
>>>> May.
>>> Start the System Restore tool and undo that system restore.
>>>
>>>> Anyhow, is that a normal thing that data files get lost after
>>>> System Restore?
>>> This may or may not happen. That's why you should monitor the
>>> system partition only.
>>>
>> Per your last, I fully agree, but if you don't turn it off,
>> Windows will automagically set-up monitoring of any other devices
>> it can see including extended partitions or partition(s) on
>> external HDs. In my case, I have 2 extended partitions on my
>> internal and 2 on my external. Besides wasting space on those
>> drives, I don't want a sysstem restore accidently wiping out
>> files that had nothing at all to do with why I did the restore in
>> the first place.
>>
>> I don't honestly understand all the nuances of System Restore,
>> but at first glance, it seems to me that it will restore ALL
>> monitored partitions to the date you specify, and quite possibly
>> un-save data files. I remember a good saying about bugs that goes
>> like this: if a program does what the programmer intends even if
>> the user doesn't like it, it is a feature, but if a program
>> doesn't do what the programmer intends even if the user does like
>> it, it is a bug. So, maybe what happened to the OP is a
>> "feature" of SR.
>>
>> --
>> HP, aka Jerry
>>

There's no need to post the same question three four times, Johan.

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


johan wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
> Listen to this story. The HD of my computer has two partitions, C and D.
> Beginning this week I reinstalled XP SP2 plus all my applications, all that
> on the C-partition [what a hassle, what a hassle]. The user data and
> installer files from applications are located on the D partition - there is
> no system nor any system files on the D partition.
> I installed Adobe Reader 7.0.7 on the C-partition from its installer on the
> D partition. After that I updated AR to AR 7.0.9 using the updater in the
> installed AR 7.0.7, all that happened on 16 May. That was the LAST
> installation I did, and SR made a restore point just prior to installing AR
> 7.0.7.
> Right after that, I downloaded other installer files which I found on the
> net, namely the big installer for AR 7.0.9 (20MB file), which I found after I
> updated to AR 7.0.9, also the installer AR 6.0, and some other files.
> Apparently those downloaded files where not known/recorded in the last
> Restore Point (RP).
> On 17 May I reverted back to the RP of 16 May. After that I noticed
> immediately that the installer files of AR 7.0.9 and AR 6.0. on the D
> partition were unsaved. More specifically those files are called
> AdbeRdr709_en_US.exe and AdbeRdr60_enu_full.exe. Undoing the SR made the
> installer files come back.
>
> Conclusion: It looks like SR considers those installer are system files and
> not as data files. If that is really the case, then there is something fuzzy
> with SR. What is the definition of *user files* and *system files*??
>
> Please reply
> thanks
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>> johan wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I did an undo of the system restore and the files came back on the D
>>> partition. However, I went back to the 16 May restore point because of the
>>> desktop icon problem. Hence, some of the files (only those put on the D part
>>> after 16 May, which are only a few files) are missing.
>> What type of files are being affected by System Restore on the D: Partition?
>>
>
>
>
> "Rock" wrote:
>
>> "Terry" <F1ComNOSPAM@pobox.com> wrote in message
>> news:eZqrVBNmHHA.3264@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> On 5/17/2007 2:44 PM On a whim, Rock pounded out on the keyboard
>>>
>>>> "HEMI-Powered" wrote
>>>>
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>>> I highly concur with your last. Now, please tell us why the
>>>>> default is to monitor non-system drives and not leave it to the
>>>>> user to turn it on if they really think it is necessary? I know
>>>>> this is true because when I mount one of my stored externals,
>>>>> within a few minutes, Windows System Restore has turn RPs on for
>>>>> the partitions it finds. I don't call that a bug, but I would say
>>>>> it is not terribly user friendly and, apparently, not all that
>>>>> obvious to people.
>>>> I don't know the reason. I can only surmise it was to err on the side of
>>>> safety since programs can be installed to any partition or drive. If
>>>> the default is off then folks would complain that SR wasn't available. I
>>>> think it would have been wise to disable it by default for external
>>>> drives but leave it on for all internal drives/partitions.
>>>>
>>> Does anyone know when SR began tracking data also? I remember years back
>>> there being a lot of discussion on how SR does NOT touch data, only the
>>> system and programs. Sure if one has multiple drives (as I do) you can
>>> disable the data drive independently, but most systems have only one drive
>>> and you can't be that selective.
>>>
>>> This is info from technet:
>>>
>>> Q. Does System Restore protect personal data files?
>>> A. System Restore does not monitor changes to or recover personal data
>>> files such as Word documents, graphics, e-mail, etc.
>>>
>>> Q. What files are monitored by System Restore?
>>> A. 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. Modifications to this list from sources other
>>> than Microsoft are not supported.
>>
>> I don't understand what happened on the OPs system. It is my understanding
>> that SR does not track user data, so I was very surprised to see effect he
>> posted about. Maybe Bert Kinney will see this thread and jump in.
>>
>> --
>> Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]
>>
>>

Hi Bert,

>
> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>

Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything that
starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a li/unix
thing.
johan

"Bert Kinney" wrote:

>
>
> Terry wrote:
> > On 5/17/2007 2:44 PM On a whim, Rock pounded out on the keyboard
> >
> >> "HEMI-Powered" wrote
> >>
> >> <snip>
> >>
> >>> I highly concur with your last. Now, please tell us why the
> >>> default is to monitor non-system drives and not leave it to the
> >>> user to turn it on if they really think it is necessary? I know
> >>> this is true because when I mount one of my stored externals,
> >>> within a few minutes, Windows System Restore has turn RPs on for
> >>> the partitions it finds. I don't call that a bug, but I would say
> >>> it is not terribly user friendly and, apparently, not all that
> >>> obvious to people.
> >>
> >> I don't know the reason. I can only surmise it was to err on the side
> >> of safety since programs can be installed to any partition or drive.
> >> If the default is off then folks would complain that SR wasn't
> >> available. I think it would have been wise to disable it by default
> >> for external drives but leave it on for all internal drives/partitions.
> >>
> >
> > Does anyone know when SR began tracking data also?
>
> It never has. No one has mentioned what file are being effected and how they
> were being stored on the partition.
>
> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>
> > I remember years
> > back there being a lot of discussion on how SR does NOT touch data, only
> > the system and programs. Sure if one has multiple drives (as I do) you
> > can disable the data drive independently, but most systems have only one
> > drive and you can't be that selective.
> >
> > This is info from technet:
> >
> > Q. Does System Restore protect personal data files?
> > A. System Restore does not monitor changes to or recover personal
> > data files such as Word documents, graphics, e-mail, etc.
> >
> > Q. What files are monitored by System Restore?
> > A. 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. Modifications to this list from
> > sources other than Microsoft are not supported.
>
>
> Regards,
> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
> http://bertk.mvps.org
> Member: http://dts-l.org
>

johan wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
>> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>
>
> Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything that
> starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
> protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a li/unix thing.
> johan

Hi Johan,

%systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will see
what I mean.

%systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml

is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml

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

Hi Bert, thanks for the info. johan

"Bert Kinney" wrote:

>
>
> johan wrote:
> > Hi Bert,
> >
> >> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
> >> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
> >>
> >
> > Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything that
> > starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
> > protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a li/unix thing.
> > johan
>
> Hi Johan,
>
> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will see
> what I mean.
>
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>
> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>
> Regards,
> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
> http://bertk.mvps.org
> Member: http://dts-l.org
>

Hey, wait a minute,
I just had a look at
%systemroot%\system32\restore\
and at
C:\Windows\system32\restore\
and there was NO filelist.xml present in the folder. I did find a file
called filelist.xml in the folder
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

However, I know SR works, so probably SR is using the
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\filelist.xml

By the way, I read filelist.xml with notepad and the number of extension is
huge. If SR is copying all the system files with those extension to a SR
backup folder, then that backup must be in the order of GB. So better limit
the number of Restore points.

johan


"Bert Kinney" wrote:

>
>
> johan wrote:
> > Hi Bert,
> >
> >> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
> >> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
> >>
> >
> > Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything that
> > starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
> > protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a li/unix thing.
> > johan
>
> Hi Johan,
>
> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will see
> what I mean.
>
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>
> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>
> Regards,
> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
> http://bertk.mvps.org
> Member: http://dts-l.org
>

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\filelist.xml is a "super-hidden" file. To see
it, you need to go to Folder Options>View menu and uncheck "Hide protected
operating system files". While you're there, make sure "Show Hidden files &
folders" is chosen, and that one should stay that way, while the "protected
operating system files" should be re-hidden when you're finished with the
job, since leaving protected OS files unhidden can cause inconveniences when
doing major file copy/deletions, and it's just bad policy.

No, filelist.xml from the I386 folder is *not* the one used by system
restore.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"johan" <johan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:10410F96-516C-46A1-86DC-6384939B5CF8@microsoft.com...
> Hey, wait a minute,
> I just had a look at
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\
> and at
> C:\Windows\system32\restore\
> and there was NO filelist.xml present in the folder. I did find a file
> called filelist.xml in the folder
> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
>
> However, I know SR works, so probably SR is using the
> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\filelist.xml
>
> By the way, I read filelist.xml with notepad and the number of extension
> is
> huge. If SR is copying all the system files with those extension to a SR
> backup folder, then that backup must be in the order of GB. So better
> limit
> the number of Restore points.
>
> johan
>
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> johan wrote:
>> > Hi Bert,
>> >
>> >> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden
>> >> file.
>> >> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>> >>
>> >
>> > Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything
>> > that
>> > starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
>> > protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a
>> > li/unix thing.
>> > johan
>>
>> Hi Johan,
>>
>> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
>> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will
>> see
>> what I mean.
>>
>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>
>> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
>> http://bertk.mvps.org
>> Member: http://dts-l.org
>>

Oh yes, I know about the setting of hidden system files and to make them
visible. I should have thought about it that filelist.xml was probably
invisible.
Thanks for reminding me and the tip.


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\filelist.xml is a "super-hidden" file. To see
> it, you need to go to Folder Options>View menu and uncheck "Hide protected
> operating system files". While you're there, make sure "Show Hidden files &
> folders" is chosen, and that one should stay that way, while the "protected
> operating system files" should be re-hidden when you're finished with the
> job, since leaving protected OS files unhidden can cause inconveniences when
> doing major file copy/deletions, and it's just bad policy.
>
> No, filelist.xml from the I386 folder is *not* the one used by system
> restore.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "johan" <johan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:10410F96-516C-46A1-86DC-6384939B5CF8@microsoft.com...
> > Hey, wait a minute,
> > I just had a look at
> > %systemroot%\system32\restore\
> > and at
> > C:\Windows\system32\restore\
> > and there was NO filelist.xml present in the folder. I did find a file
> > called filelist.xml in the folder
> > C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
> >
> > However, I know SR works, so probably SR is using the
> > C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\filelist.xml
> >
> > By the way, I read filelist.xml with notepad and the number of extension
> > is
> > huge. If SR is copying all the system files with those extension to a SR
> > backup folder, then that backup must be in the order of GB. So better
> > limit
> > the number of Restore points.
> >
> > johan
> >
> >
> > "Bert Kinney" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> johan wrote:
> >> > Hi Bert,
> >> >
> >> >> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden
> >> >> file.
> >> >> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything
> >> > that
> >> > starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
> >> > protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a
> >> > li/unix thing.
> >> > johan
> >>
> >> Hi Johan,
> >>
> >> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
> >> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will
> >> see
> >> what I mean.
> >>
> >> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
> >>
> >> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
> >> http://bertk.mvps.org
> >> Member: http://dts-l.org
> >>
>
>
>

Hi Johan,

To address restore point size, only monitored file types that have changed
will be added to a restore point. So it depends on how may monitored file
types have been changes and there size. I would normally see restore points
about 50 - 60mbs in size. This can change dramatically when large
application are installed such as MS Office, and when Windows updates are
installed.

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

johan wrote:
> Hey, wait a minute,
> I just had a look at
> %systemroot%\system32\restore\
> and at
> C:\Windows\system32\restore\
> and there was NO filelist.xml present in the folder. I did find a file
> called filelist.xml in the folder
> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
>
> However, I know SR works, so probably SR is using the
> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\filelist.xml
>
> By the way, I read filelist.xml with notepad and the number of extension is
> huge. If SR is copying all the system files with those extension to a SR
> backup folder, then that backup must be in the order of GB. So better limit
> the number of Restore points.
>
> johan
>
>
> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>
>>
>> johan wrote:
>>> Hi Bert,
>>>
>>>> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden file.
>>>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>>>
>>> Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything that
>>> starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
>>> protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a li/unix thing.
>>> johan
>> Hi Johan,
>>
>> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
>> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will see
>> what I mean.
>>
>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>
>> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>
>> Regards,
>> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
>> http://bertk.mvps.org
>> Member: http://dts-l.org
>>

Yes, that will unhide the filelist.xml file, but there's no need to as you
have already viewed the one in the i386 folder. They are the same.

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

johan wrote:
> Oh yes, I know about the setting of hidden system files and to make them
> visible. I should have thought about it that filelist.xml was probably
> invisible.
> Thanks for reminding me and the tip.
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
>
>> C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\filelist.xml is a "super-hidden" file. To see
>> it, you need to go to Folder Options>View menu and uncheck "Hide protected
>> operating system files". While you're there, make sure "Show Hidden files &
>> folders" is chosen, and that one should stay that way, while the "protected
>> operating system files" should be re-hidden when you're finished with the
>> job, since leaving protected OS files unhidden can cause inconveniences when
>> doing major file copy/deletions, and it's just bad policy.
>>
>> No, filelist.xml from the I386 folder is *not* the one used by system
>> restore.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "johan" <johan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:10410F96-516C-46A1-86DC-6384939B5CF8@microsoft.com...
>>> Hey, wait a minute,
>>> I just had a look at
>>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\
>>> and at
>>> C:\Windows\system32\restore\
>>> and there was NO filelist.xml present in the folder. I did find a file
>>> called filelist.xml in the folder
>>> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
>>>
>>> However, I know SR works, so probably SR is using the
>>> C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\filelist.xml
>>>
>>> By the way, I read filelist.xml with notepad and the number of extension
>>> is
>>> huge. If SR is copying all the system files with those extension to a SR
>>> backup folder, then that backup must be in the order of GB. So better
>>> limit
>>> the number of Restore points.
>>>
>>> johan
>>>
>>>
>>> "Bert Kinney" wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> johan wrote:
>>>>> Hi Bert,
>>>>>
>>>>>> The list of monitored file type's are located in the following hidden
>>>>>> file.
>>>>>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>>>>>
>>>>> Can you tell me how to see those hidden files? I cannot see anything
>>>>> that
>>>>> starts with %systemroot% on the C-partition, not even with the /Hide
>>>>> protected systemfiles/ box unchecked. %systemroot% looks like a
>>>>> li/unix thing.
>>>>> johan
>>>> Hi Johan,
>>>>
>>>> %systemroot% is the environment variable for C:\Windows
>>>> Go to Start - Run and paste %systemroot% then press enter and you will
>>>> see
>>>> what I mean.
>>>>
>>>> %systemroot%\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>>>
>>>> is equal to -> C:\Windows\system32\restore\filelist.xml
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
>>>> http://bertk.mvps.org
>>>> Member: http://dts-l.org
>>>>
>>
>>