Large System Volume Information Folder
Posted by admin on Nov 1st, 2006
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?
Nov 4th, 2006 at 02:16 am
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?"Tim"
Nov 9th, 2006 at 08:45 am
You could reduce the amount of space reserved by System Restore, here vistasupport.mvps.org/decrease_storage_spaceallocated_to_system_restore.htm "Tim" wrote:
Nov 14th, 2006 at 07:00 pm
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:22:33 0500, "Tim" 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. Be easier to use! >
Nov 20th, 2006 at 05:33 am
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. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.Want to learn more about Windows file and storage technologies? Visit our team blog at blogs.technet.com/filecab/default.aspx. "Tim"
Nov 23rd, 2006 at 09:32 pm
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]"
Nov 27th, 2006 at 06:17 pm
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. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.Want to learn more about Windows file and storage technologies? Visit our team blog at blogs.technet.com/filecab/default.aspx. "Tim"