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Disk Space Used for System Protection

I noticed that the disc space used for system protection significantly increases on a daily base (more than 1GB today) even if no new restore points are created, why?  I set the maximum to 20% of my C drive (approximately 30 GB).  I suppose that when this maximum is reached the oldest restore point will be deleted.  Can this process suppress all restore points?

Gerard

I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

20% is a little high. I'd go with what the System recommends which is usually 5-10% But if you can afford it then there's nothing wrong with it.

Yes, it does delete the oldest restore point when it needs the space. You can monitor this by seeing what Restore points are available, making sure to Show More: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/how-t...

Here's how to reduce it: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reduce-space-w...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Thank you for your quick response Greg and the information too.  I am just wondering why the space keeps increasing in absence of any restore activity (e.g. restore point creation) .  What is the system doing to generate this increase.  I am just curious.  I was a Research Scientist, now retired and I like to understand things.

Gerard

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Do you have File History turned on, because it keeps a version history of all files so they can be restored to previous versions from their Properties tab?
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Thanks Greg  

Yes it is a matter of fact my file history is on.  If I turned this off what happens?  Will this impact on the system restore process?

I have a silly question.  Just imagine that only one restore point is left.  Space continue increasing (file history is on) until it reaches the limit.  Does windows delete the last restore point in such a situation?

Thanks again for your time and your help

Gerard.

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Gerard, then you found what is taking up the extra restore space - all of the Previous Versions of files saved by File History.

That's the one thing that File History does do well, as opposed to Backup or Windows Imaging which I would not rely upon. But I'd keep the Shadow copies in case you need an older file version since you've apparently got a working archive.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Hi Greg 

I have turned file history off since it does not impair the system restore process.  File history works only for my C drive since system protection is off for my D drive.  The file amount to back up on my C drive is quite little.  I still noticed a slight increase in my disc space (approximately 100 MB) .  I will monitor the increase through the day and will keep you informed of the result later today or tomorrow.  Like that I will know if the problem is solved or no.  Thanks again

Gerard

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Greg I forgot to mention than I turned file history off using the control panel menu.  However in the setting menu , back up submenu under file history the switch keeps coming back to the on position whatever I do.

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Last updated March 17, 2024 Views 9,194 Applies to: