Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Individual System Restore Points in Windows

Windows continuously creates system restore points automatically—until it reaches a specified limit. This process can often result in numerous restore points that you may never end up using. Although it’s easy to delete all restore points simultaneously, knowing how to individually remove selected ones can help you save space and safeguard sensitive information. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to effectively delete individual restore points in Windows.

Removing Individual Restore Points Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt offers a reliable method for deleting specific restore points via the vssadmin command-line tool. This versatile utility is designed for creating and managing shadow copies, allowing you to not only view your existing restore points but also delete them one at a time.

Step 1: Accessing System Restore Points

To do this, you’ll first need to identify the restore points through their creation dates. Follow these simple instructions:

Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog.
Type rstrui.exe and hit Enter to launch the System Restore interface.
Select the option labeled Choose a different restore point before clicking Next.

Next, enable the Show more restore points option to display all available restore points. Take note of their corresponding dates and times for future reference.

List of Restore Points in System Restore

Step 2: Finding the Shadow Copy ID

Now that you’ve noted the restoration dates, you’ll need to access the Command Prompt:

Search for “cmd” in the Windows Search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Within the Command Prompt window, input the following command and press Enter:

vssadmin list shadows

The output will provide a list of restore points along with pertinent details. Identify the restore point you want to delete by checking its creation time and copying its Shadow Copy ID (ensure you include the braces), for example: {5e5429e7-e601-4e8a-b94f-5ec1df105b12}.

Shadow Copy ID And Creation Date in Command Prompt

Step 3: Deleting the Restore Point

Now you can delete your chosen restore point. Input the following command, ensuring to replace the placeholder with your specific Shadow Copy ID:

vssadmin delete shadows /shadow=(Shadow Copy ID)

Your command should resemble this format:

vssadmin delete shadows /shadow={5e5429e7-e601-4e8a-b94f-5ec1df105b12}

Upon executing the command, you’ll be prompted to confirm your decision; simply type Y and hit Enter.

Deleting Shadow Copy using Vssadmin in Command Prompt

Alternative: Utilizing Third-Party Software for Restore Point Management

If you frequently need to delete multiple restore points, doing so one by one in Command Prompt can quickly become tedious. A more convenient option is to employ CCleaner. While primarily designed for cleaning up junk files, CCleaner offers an efficient feature for managing restore points.

To use this tool:

Launch CCleaner and navigate to Tools > System Restore.
Here, you’ll find a list of all existing restore points. Select the ones you want to remove.
Click on Remove located at the bottom of the window. For multiple selections, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking.

For your safety, CCleaner prevents the deletion of the most recent restore point, ensuring you always retain at least one option for system recovery.

Bonus Tip: Managing Space with Windows Disk Cleanup

If your goal is to free up disk space without risking the deletion of all restore points, Windows Disk Cleanup allows you to remove only older restore points while retaining the latest versions. To access it, search for Disk Cleanup in the start menu, navigate to the More Options tab, and click Clean up under the System Restore and Shadow Copies section.

Proper management of restore points is crucial, particularly given their potential to consume significant disk space. Employing the vssadmin command is advisable for singular deletions, while a third-party application like CCleaner is more practical for frequent use. Should you encounter issues with restore points, consider looking into comprehensive solutions for System Restore troubleshooting.

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