CCleaner won't remove System Restore Points

CCleaner for Windows CCleaner Windows Bug Reporting
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Hello. I discovered CCleaner the other day and really like how it performs. The MAIN reason I wanted it is for the System Restore cleanup feature where I can select how many to delete instead of deleting all but the most recent.

I just discovered a problem with the System Restore function of CCleaner. When performed, the selected restore points are NOT being removed from the harddrive, only the visual references and access are being removed. Here is how I discovered this:

I installed CCleaner (v.2.20.920) on one of my computers the other day. (I also have the free trial version of TuneUp Utilities 2009.) I ran CCleaner and selected all but 5 System Restore points. I ran the program, and it shows only 5 restore points remain. Then I went to the Windows System Tools folder, opened System Restore and checked the "calendars". Only 5 restore points showing. Cool!

(Keep in mind, the computer has been shut down and restarted a few times before today.)

Today, for some gee-whiz reason, I ran the "Free up disk space" section of TuneUp Utilities. After it ran, it showed suggested items for cleanup. Clicked on "Unnecessary files and backups". It shows there are 57 restore points still recognized on the harddrive. (WTF?)

So, I tested this a little further with a disk space gauge. This time I have to go all-or-none because TU will wipe out all but the most recent restore point ( just like Windows and CCleaner). I went into CCleaner, selected and removed all available older restore points. Restarted the computer, checked the "calendar" in System Restore. Only one restore point available. But, there was no change of disc space...nothing freed up (121.6 GB free space). Then, I ran TU and it shows 57 restore points still exist. Selected the "clean" button, and once it was done, the HDD gauge changed to 122.3 GB free space.

So, I don't know if this is a fixable problem, but I am disappointed. I really like the CCleaner program, but this feature of selective deletion of Restore Points IS the reason I downloaded the program to begin with.

If there is something I missed, please let me know. I have performed this test on 2 computers running WinXP Home SP3, and I have one other computer that I haven't run this program on yet, also WinXP Home SP3, so if I missed something, I can try it on the untouched computer.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Morning Mike (4.50 am post, where are you?). I don't think there's anything missed. I wonder if the Remove Restore Points function is not quite what we might have assumed it to be? In the Piriform documentation ( http://docs.piriform.com/ccleaner/using-cc...-restore-points ) the emphasis is on security. There is no mention of recovering any space. Although I only removed a couple of points when the facility became available, to see how it works, I seem to remember that it took no time at all. I'm on XP and a restore point is around 50 mb: there would have been a reasonable amount of whirring and grinding to delete that. On Vista there would be several times more to remove.

So, does CC just remove restore points from the restore point table/logs? Maybe removing the actual data selectively is too complex or dangerous, or simply not possible?

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In the Piriform documentation the emphasis is on security. There is no mention of recovering any space.

Hello Augeas, and thanks for the reply. (I'm about 7 hours behind you near four VERY famous stone faces. I'm an overnight trucker, so 4:50 AM is actually middle afternoon to me.)

I guess in my experience over the years when it comes to keeping your system "healthy", one of the most common actions is to delete unnecessary old restore points, among other things, to free up disc space. As with the format provided by Windows, you can delete all but one. When I saw an article about CCleaner and selective deletion, I just took it for granted it would actually remove the data from the disc, which is what I wanted from the program. So, I take it from your reply, CCleaner is doing exactly what it was written to do. I thought it might have been a fluke, so that is why I posted this thread, hoping the program developers would look into this. I'm still going to keep CCleaner, it does a great job of kicking out some sneeky unwanted cookies!

Thanks again.

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Cheers, Mike. I don't actually know how delete sys rest points work, just guessing. We need some clarification from the developers. Can you see the contents of your System Volume Information folder (I can't)? If so you could perhaps see if the folder relevant to the restore point is deleted or not when you do a CC delete. Or perhaps someone else who has access could try this.

Take care in those trucks.

PS We have some stony faces too, mostly MP's fine tuning their expenses.

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Well, I'm not that fussed about it. It's just a "nice-to-have" idea. The Windows method of deleting the old restore points is still the best way to clear out some space on the harddrive. I would prefer to have about five points on-hand...just in case there is something boogered-up with the only remaining restore point. With computers, you never know. As for finding the actual restore points in the System Folders, I tried a few years back, but I had a moment of clarity when the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." kept running through my head. Nuff said.

As far as the TuneUp Utilities program goes, their "delete system restore points" is nothing more than a shortcut key to the Windows program already installed with the OS disc...everybody already has this on their computer, so that would be a waste of money. The TU program is a really good way to keep your system at top performance, but I don't like their license agreement, that and the fact it costs 50 USD for each computer...no thanks.

Any way, that should do it for me. I'm content with the way CCleaner works as-is.

Nice to meet ya Augeas, and thanks for your help.