Tutorial: How to delete a specific restore point in Windows 10
(e.g., after an errant program such as driverpack created it!)
As always, please improve so all benefit from every action you take.
Based on gory details found in this thread:
o What's the one free Windows 10 driver update tool you prefer most & why?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.microsoft.windows/-yDz26GC6zA
Here's the tutorial for deleting a specific restore point!
o In my example, it was positionally the _last_ restore point
https://i.postimg.cc/NfKgqJWP/deleterestorepoint01.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3Rv6dgr1/deleterestorepoint02.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/0NcmD3j2/deleterestorepoint03.jpg
Note that Windows does NOT give you the same restore-point name in the GUI as on the command line, so you need other hints, such as position, since you do not want to make a mistake and delete the wrong restore point.
1. Roughly identify by time stamp or order the restore point to be deleted:
o Win+R systempropertiesprotection [System Restore]
(_)Recommended restore
(o)Choose a different restore point
[Next]
[x]Show more restore points
You must first identify which of those listed restore points is
the one errant restore point that you wish to wipe out.
Positionally, I wanted to delete the most recent restore point, which is
important because the time stamps are about half a minute off between
what the GUI says and what teh vssadmin command says (and the descriptions
are completely different between the two reports from Windows).
2. Make a note of the date, time, & description
o Date and Time=9/26/2020 10:29:17 PM
o Description=Driver Booster:Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
o Type=Install
Important note: For whatever reason, those are NOT the description and
times reported in the vssadmin command, even when run moments later!
3. Run the Windows "vssadmin" command to identify the errant restore point:
o Win+R cmd {control+shift+enter}
o vssadmin list shadows
Note that lists the restore points, presumably in FIFO order...
... stuff deleted ...
Contents of shadow copy set ID: {5d53f007-fdcc-4a66-8c2f-0b12d08621f5}
Contained 1 shadow copies at creation time: 9/26/2020 10:29:44 PM
Shadow Copy ID: {41e23906-ad53-4697-b51c-6d219224f753}
Original Volume: (C
\\?\Volume{7a136a2d-0000-0000-0000-300300000000}\
Shadow Copy Volume: \\?\GLOBALROOT\Device\HarddiskVolumeShadowCopy13
Originating Machine: pcname
Service Machine: pcname
Provider: 'Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0'
Type: ClientAccessibleWriters
Attributes: Persistent, Client-accessible, No auto release, Differential, Auto recovered
... stuff deleted ...
Positionally, I wanted to delete the most recent restore point, which is
important because the time stamps are about half a minute off between
what the GUI says and what teh vssadmin command says (and the descriptions
are completely different between the two reports from Windows).
4. Use the Windows "vssadmin" command to delete the errant restore point:
o vssadmin delete shadows /Shadow={41e23906-ad53-4697-b51c-6d219224f753}
vssadmin 1.1 - Volume Shadow Copy Service administrative command-line tool
Do you really want to delete 1 shadow copies (Y/N): [N]? y
Successfully deleted 1 shadow copies.
Note that the vssadmin command doesn't list what's in the GUI,
so you kind of sort of have to guess a wee little bit on the ID.
o https://i.postimg.cc/3Rv6dgr1/deleterestorepoint02.jpg
5. Doublecheck that the errant restore point has been deleted:=
o Win+R systempropertiesprotection [System Restore]
(_)Recommended restore
(o)Choose a different restore point
[Next]
[x]Show more restore points
o https://i.postimg.cc/0NcmD3j2/deleterestorepoint03.jpg
Voila!
See also:
o How to Delete System Restore Points in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/33593-delete-system-restore-points-windows-10-a.html
o How to Delete System Restore Points in Windows 10
https://thegeekpage.com/delete-system-restore-points-in-windows-10/
o Delete a System Restore Point in Windows 10
https://winaero.com/delete-system-restore-point-windows-10/
--
Usenet is a wonderful archive of useful real-world questions & solutions.