System Restore Removes Files During a Restore Procedure (261716)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q261716

SYMPTOMS

After you use the System Restore utility, some files (files that are listed on the include section of the Filelist.xml file, for example, files that have .exe, .com, .drv, .dll, or .sys as their file name extension) that were on your computer before the restore procedure may no longer be on your computer.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the following conditions are true:
  • The files were not on your computer when you created the restore point that you rolled back to.

    -and-
  • The files were not stored in the My Documents folder.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, run the System Restore utility again and then click Undo my last restoration.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

To avoid this behavior in the future, store the files that you do not want to include in a System Restore procedure in the My Documents folder. You can move the My Documents folder to any location, but System Restore includes the new location of the My Documents folder unless you disable and then re-enable System Restore.

Important When you re-enable System Restore, all your existing restore points are removed. For additional information about how to disable and then re-enable System Restore, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

264887 How to Enable and Disable System Restore

Rename the file name extension of the files that you do not want to include in a System Restore procedure with a .sav file name extension. System Restore does not monitor files that have a .sav file name extension.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/23/2005
Keywords:kbACWsurvey kbprb KB261716
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