Does anyone know how Windows 7 assigns names to the files that contain the restore point information? Is it possible that they have names of the form {GUID}{different GUID}? Yes, I mean that literally - two 32-character hex strings each enclosed in curly brackets. If not, does anyone know what program might generate such files? I can explain why I'm interested, but it would take some space and isn't really relevant to the question itself.

They are stored in 32 random symbol files, the registry has the date etc. When you have boot issues is when they are used, ignore them until they are needed. Windows MVP, paid Remote Assistance is available for XP, Vista and Windows 7. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. See my gaming site for game reviews etc. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews

Are you saying that the names of the restore point files are GUIDs (composed of 32 random characters) but not pairs of GUIDs? Are the curly brackets part of the name?

Why are you in need of these files? They are part of the system restore and should not be tampered with. Windows MVP, paid Remote Assistance is available for XP, Vista and Windows 7. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. See my gaming site for game reviews etc. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews

Vegan, I think you replied to a similar question I posted on another forum, where I was concerned about backing up huge files (>2GB) with the Retrospect backup program. I don't want to tamper with them, I just want to know what and where they are so I can decide whether I need to back them up. Just before finishing this answer, I finally had the courage to give myself access to the system volume information folder, and I THINK I confirmed that the files there do indeed have names of the form {GUID}{different GUID}. I gather that these files contain copies of files with certain types of extensions, generally system type files, and that they are generated as system restore points at the end of each 24 hours of computer use even if no new programs have been installed. So in a week of use between Retrospect backups, there could easily be three or four huge files that Retrospect would recognize as new and therefore include in an incremental backup, even if I had made no significant changes to the system files. Does all this seem right to you? I fully understand the reasoning behind the system restore point design and that after a system crash, I would only be able to restore to the condition just before the last Retrospect backup, not to an earlier state, if I did not also back up the system restore files. So if I want to be really safe, I should just let Retrospect back up such files, and simply deal with the extra time and storage space required per backup. If those requirements are too burdensome, I could set Retrospect to exclude these files and be satisfied with the ability to restore my system to the state just after the last backup but not earlier. Am I on the right track now?

The only files you need to worry about are documents, music, video and downloads Favorites too if you have lots rest is all system or application and not needed to worry aboutWindows MVP, paid Remote Assistance is available for XP, Vista and Windows 7. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. See my gaming site for game reviews etc. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews

As for that package, its not needed as Windows makes new recovery files regularly automatically Windows MVP, paid Remote Assistance is available for XP, Vista and Windows 7. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. See my gaming site for game reviews etc. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews

I understand that the documents, music, videos, and pictures libraries contain most of the data that are uniquely one's own and cannot be duplicated from other sources. Furthermore, I understand that any software packages that were received by download could be reinstalled from a backup of the downloads directory. That appears to be sufficient for you and probably for a lot of people, and I know some people also back up the program data area. But I am worried about such things as losing a physical installation CD or the license information for a piece of software. License information might not be stored in one of the locations you mentioned. The software company might have gone out of business. In the nearly 30 years that I've owned PCs, all of these kinds of problems have occurred, so I'm gun-shy. But it is true that it would be rather unlikely for a system crash to occur in just such a way for the restore point info to be needed in addition to the info that you would recover from a Retrospect backup. (When, you say "that package", I'm assuming you mean Retrospect.) Although I won't mark this thread as answered just yet, I probably will if you do not wish to add anything.

I burn to DVD all the installers on a regular basis I have a spreadsheet with all my CD keys etc I keep one copy on skydrive and its backup is automatic as well. That=Retrospect Windows MVP, paid Remote Assistance is available for XP, Vista and Windows 7. My page on Video Card Problems is now my most popular landing page. See my gaming site for game reviews etc. Developer | Windows IT | Chess | Economics | Hardcore Games | Vegan Advocate | PC Reviews