How "clean" is it to use XP system restore?

Hi Guys!

I've got a question about the Windows System Restore function: How "clean" will it restore my sytem to the desired point? Will it be perfectly as if nothing happened since that point or will some crap stay on my machine?

I ask because since now I used it only one time. That time it worked well and now i wonder, if i couldn't use it more often when I worry, I could have put some crap on my system. Just one example:

- I download a programme and try to instell it, but installation aborts at some point. So this programme doesn't seem to be on my computer, but I can't be sure if there isn't already something in the registry or somewhere.

or

- I install a programme and really don't like it, so I don't want that any files or registry entries stay on my machine...

I know tha there are other ways and programmes to clean the sytem, especially the registry, but I don't like them very much, as sometimes, they mess up the system even more in my opinion and experience.

So would it be an option just to use the system restore in these cases to keep my system clean? Or will some crap stay on the system so it's even worse to use the system restore regularly? I talk about once every few months or something like that, that's how often i have scenarios as described above.

Perhaps there are people out there who use it more often then me and can tell me their experiences.

Thank you for your answers!

 

I hate to say it but, after using the Microsoft System Restore function there will still be program particles and registry entries among other things left behind.

 

I have noticed sometimes when I run a spyware scan, it finds spyware in the restore folders. So YES, whatever you had on your PC when it set a restore point is what will remain when you restore your PC using that restore point. And YES, Reg will go back to how it was too.

When I do a fresh install of a OS, I load ALL my programs & drivers, Config everything, and scan for viruses and spyware. Then I manually set my own restore point. This way I always have a Clean restore point, And I Update my restore point sometimes after making sure my PC is clean.

 

Tobi - I had the same concerns about Restore.

But I used it twice, crossing my fingers I wasn't opening a 5 hour computer fix session.

Whola, it worked perfect. It's extremely fast, I don't know how, but it is.

Now, after some new software installs, a virus check, and a registry clean-up, I do a restore point, and I'm not afraid to use it!

It's become as easy as clicking "Undo".

 

when my computer was infected by a spyware.... i tried doing some system restore and still the same spyware was there...

 

Hi!

Perhaps the restore point you used wasn't back far enough to fix the problem?

I read somewhere else that the registry is completely restored to the state of the restore point and also certain file types are restored back to that point, while personal files as pictures or music are kept.

I'd guess it's a pretty good tool to undo little accidents or experiments (as I described above), but it is not an almighty saver. When the system is really messed up reformatting is probably the better choice.

Greets
Tobi