[likekinds]

If one were to set a restore point immediately (or as soon as possible) after a clean install; could that restore point be used 6 months or a year later to bring the computer back to a clean install state without having to start from scratch with an Operating System disk?

Sounds reasonable to me. Would it work? How long are restore points kept?

 

[Lead3]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

That is not likely to work since, depending on how much space you allocate to restore points, the oldest entry will be deleted as a new one is made. Windows 7 will create a restore point automatically every 7 days if no other points are created either manually, by an update, or by an application install.

The best way is to create an image of your system with Windows backup or a third party imaging tool. I prefer Acronis True Image myself.

 

[Dracia]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

Plus there's the fact that system restore doesn't erase your personal files, it just sets the registry back to the date in question, so hardly comparable to a factory reset.

 

[likekinds]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

Well, I know with Vista you can turn off the creating of new restore points. I can only assume it would keep the original you made.

As for personal files; I'm not concerned about them. If this would have worked: I would have created the restore point before I transferred my files from my XHD.

I don't always hear what I hope to hear from this forum, but I always learn something new and always get good advice.

Thanks guys. I'll look into Acronis.

 

[Lead3]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

If you turn off restore points, it will delete them all.
You would have to disable the automatic restore point task in task manager to keep the system from periodically creating points but that would not prevent new programs or windows update.

An imaging program, including the native one in Windows 7 is the way to go.
Also, if something happens to your system, there is no guarentee that the restore point will be preserved.

 

[likekinds]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

I appreciate the additional advice.

Thanks again.

An additional question along the same line; then I'll close this thread.

If a hard disk dies for mechanical reasons, and the information on the disk itself is intact; could that disk be transferred to an empty hard disk drive and be functional?

 

[Lead3]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

Removing the platters from the disk and installing them in another is not something that is practical for the end user. It would require very specialized equipment and knowledge.

 

[likekinds]

Re: Clean Install/Restore Point

I keep copies of all my important data on external drives, so this would not be an issue with me. I do think it's good to know that if one has years of 'unsecured' valuable data stored on a platter and the hard disk fails mechanically; it is at least theoretically possible to retrieve that data, even if it means consulting someone with specialized equipment and expertise in this area.

Thanks, again