Vista - When doing a system restore, what gets backed up?

I don't know what happened, but one second I was trying to download SP1 and the next second my computer shuts down and now it only boots up into the restore menu. I don't know if somehow all my drivers got wiped out or what, but I cannot get it to boot into Vista for the life of me. All of my system restore points failed and now I don't even have any points showing, so that is pretty frustrating too. I've been able to see the folders when I attach the hard drive to a caddy and plug them into a computer at work, but the folder I need to access is apparantly requiring password access and I don't have administrator rights on this machine. So... That is my situation.

There are files on this computer that I desperately need access to ASAP, so what I need to know before taking it to someone to pull files off is what gets backed up when you choose the "Recovery with automatic data backup" option? I did this once before and it created a backup folder with a whole lot of stuff in it. I didn't notice if large folders on the desktop were backed up or not and that is what I need. I need my Document folder, a couple personal folders on the desktop, and the pictures folder. If I can get these out myself without having to drive across town and spend an entire evening with a techie friend who I'm sure could find a way to access the folder, then I'd like to do it. I don't mind doing a system restore as long as my files will get saved, but I was under the impression that you get a ton of stuff nuked when you do that. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

Did you get SP1 in your windows update, or did you manually download it?
Do you have those files you need access to encrypted? (i.e., lettering is green)
Have you tried startup repair on the advanced O/S disk options?


If you manually downloaded sp1 and it did not appear in you updates that means you have incompatabilites, and should not have installed it.
If you did a system restore this can cause lockout of EFS encrypted files if you had recently changed your admin password and restored it to a point before you changed it/ or reset password and/or attempted access from another admin account. EFS protected files require the admin password for access, and are tied to the admin account/password.

Automatic data backup (unless you specified otherwise) will back up you user files which includes documents, Pictures, desktop and can be restored from the backup. BUT if any of the files were encrypted, and you do not have the admin/EFS certificate password, then they will not be recoverable.

Hello ocdetails, welcome to Vista forums!

Have a look at this.

So what exactly does System Restore do? Let's start with what it doesn't do... System Restore WILL NOT remove or modify any personal data files such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, music & photos, web favorites, emails, etc. More specifically, files in the Documents folder will never be touched. If you are unsure as to whether a file will be affected by System Restore, keep it in that folder. System Restore WILL affect your Windows system settings (the Windows Registry), protected system files, and recently installed software.


LAter Ted

Now what about a complete system restore where I want to put it back to factory settings? Typcially when I choose to not go with the "Recovery with automatic data backup" option then it wipes out everything entirely. When I recover with that option then it left certian folders intact for the most part. I would have had to reinstall all of the programs, but the folders in the Program Files were still there. Does anybody know if User Profile folders are backed up when you go that route as well? That is really what I'm looking for. I have done small steps back with the system restore before and it hasn't affected anything, but now that I don't even have any of those points to choose, I am just stressed that I have lost a hundred hours of work on some very very very important projects.

However, my lesson has been learned. Regular backups for me from now on.

A repair using the O/S advanced recovery will repair windows leaving user folders/programs intact. I do not think Vista has a repair windows feature as XP did. You may try the disk "upgrade" option, but this may cause issues with your O/S installation being marked as not "genuine".
A full re-install or destructive reformat install will wipe out everything and restore your system to OEM settings.

Best bet is do a full destructive reformat/reinstall then use your backup to replace USER folders/files. (and YES user files are backed up with the default backup settings)

What is the O/S advanced recovery? I'm not the most knowledgable about operating systems and such. I am the type of person who works computers and not works on computers, if you know that type.

I don't even have a VISTA CD to boot off of, but I don't know if that would make any difference. This machine is a Gateway C-140X that I ordered just about a year ago now. It came with Vista installed on it and It didn't have any nifty gold hologramed Microsoft discs with it, but I don't know if that would help anyway. Loading a new copy of windows on it would probably just kill any user profiles that exist already, right?

If you had a disc you would have this option ...

Repair Install For Vista









Later Ted

Here is a link that might be helpful as well... I did a system restore about three weeks ago and chose the option to do the automatic data backup. I couldn't get the folder to delete, so I did some research. I never could get it to delete, so I just did another system restore and choose not to backup any files this time. I didn't really look to carefully to see which files it backed up, but the OP in that thread I linked said that all the User folders were saved, so would that include my desktop do you think?

If I can get my hands on a Vista disc then would I be able to do that without losing any of my User files? I've got a co-worker who has a Vista disc that I could use. I've got the Product Key on the bottom of my laptop that should work fine, right?

When you use the term system restore are you referring to a "MS System Restore"
or "OEM Factory System Recovery"


Later Ted