Conserve disk space by purging Restore Points in Windows XP

by Greg Shultz | Mar 30, 2005 2:26:00 PM

Tags: Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows, restore point, system restore, disk, Microsoft Windows XP

Takeaway: If you find yourself running low on hard disk space, an easy way to free up approximately 12 percent of space is by purging Restore Points from the System Restore database. Learn how to delete Restore Points in four simple steps.

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Windows XP's System Restore feature automatically creates Restore Points every 24 hours, in addition to any time that you make a major system configuration change or install new software.

In order to be able to perform its operations, System Restore claims a maximum of 12% of the available hard disk space to save the Restore Points. (Although you can alter that value from the System Restore tab in the System Properties dialog box, it's generally not a good idea.)

Once the 12% mark is reached, System Restore purges the oldest Restore Points in its database in order to make room for new ones. However, there may be situations in which you need or want to purge all the Restore Points in the database in order to free up disk space.

Follow these steps to purge Restore Points:

1. Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup.
2. Select the More Options tab in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.
3. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore panel.
4. Press the Yes button when prompted to confirm the delete operation.

The Disk Cleanup utility will allow you to delete all Restore Points except for the most recent Restore Point.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

A few other tricks to use Aaron A Baker | 03/31/05

Good advice but... johngaz | 03/31/05

Use Crap Cleaner jimbrubaker | 03/31/05

The problem with "automatic" tools ... deepsand | 04/01/05

Why don't you... elliemk@... | 03/31/05

problems with System Restore peter.byfordcommerce@... | 03/16/07

Where does Windows keep the System Restore files? shane.rapp@... | 03/31/05

Restore files rayarob | 03/31/05

Where does Windows keep the System Restore files? rdorton@... | 03/31/05

I want to save them solson@... | 03/31/05

Finding the More Options Tab... radicalceo@... | 04/01/05

Another MS space eater techr@... | 03/31/05

How do we change it? elliemk@... | 03/31/05

How to set you temporary internet file settings Andrew Martin | 03/31/05

Reduce temporary internet files space mr_aymano@... | 04/01/05

Another MS space eater thomasmac | 04/04/05

I purge all cookies and temp internet files DanLM | 04/07/05

ALL cookies? deepsand | 04/07/05

No options available! elliemk@... | 03/31/05

No Options Available flaiman@... | 03/31/05

Additional tabs NOT available! elliemk@... | 03/31/05

Finding Options on Disk Cleanup howardjcohen@... | 04/01/05

Looking for Option location Trish the Semi-Techie | 03/31/05

Try this solution Gildawie | 03/31/05

IE Window Solution richjo@... | 04/01/05

TOUCHE!!! No name specified | 04/04/05

Why stop at Restore Points lachandler2000@... | 04/03/05

"Disk Cleanup" unreliable & potentially dangerous. deepsand | 04/03/05

Remove Service Packs, too? Maricaibo | 04/06/05

Remove Service Packs? rick.fitch@... | 04/22/05