I believe a handful of people have had the issue with previous versions, however I think you're the first with the newest release - that is if you're using the newest release. It seems to happen on some systems, but not all. As to why it happens I don't have a clue, and it would best answered by the CCleaner developer MrG.
The XP restore points aren't touched by CCleaner. I believe that XP will automatically remove old restore points to make way for new ones. But how and when this happens I don't yet know.
It does not seem to be a very common problem. I have looked on various forums, internet pages and so far the only explanation is that if system restore stops , the data is purged. (Some of the above articles may also help. Like article 301224 on multiple partitions
"It is important to note that if you have a multiple-partition computer with a drive with little free space on it, this drive could cause System Restore to hang all across the system and delete restore points. ..."
Found the problem - it was caused by a file "shredder" - eraser.exe - although not it's fault. There are a few of these now - designed to obliterate confidential files that have been deleted but are often left intact on the drive but no longer in the file system. I had not used it much and set it to erase all "empty" space on the drive rather than individual files.
The program works not by erasing the data but by actually writing something over the unused space. So it keeps writing until it fills the drive - at which pooint windows says it is short of disc space and deletes the "non-essential" restore points.
My apologies to MrG for suggesting that his program is anything less than perfect.
Very good of you to let us know what caused your problem, it all helps to help others. Hope you will continue to join in the forum.
I'm sure Mr G will forgive you
I don't know the answer but I have 3 computers all running ver. 1.36.430. Two are Dell's both exactly alike and the other is home built. All are running winXP sp2. The home built deletes the "restore points" when Cleaner is run with a check in the box "empty recycle bin" but when the check is removed, I can run Cleaner and the restore points are retained. On both the Dells, even with "empty recycle bin" checked Cleaner works as expected and leaves the restore points in place. I can see no reason for this other than maybe just a system difference that will never be discovered.
I don't know why your restore points would disappear on that home built system, however you're using an old CCleaner version as 1.38.485 is now the current build and is available at:
I don't know why your restore points would disappear on that home built system, however you're using an old CCleaner version as 1.38.485 is now the current build and is available at:
First time poster here. I recently posted this to ACF ng and it was suggested I report it here.
I started using CCleaner (v1.38.485) which is very quick and efficient, however I believe it blows away my Dell XPS410 (WinXP/SP2) PC restore points. When I tried restore recently, no matter which point I selected, it would not work. This attempt was after running CCleaner about 2 hours earlier. Is there a setting within CCleaner which will stop this from happening? Thanks.
Has anyone figured out how to get the restore points on WindowsXP from disappearing when using CCleaner.exe? If so, can you tell me how you configured it? Thanks
Thanks Hazelnut -- It makes sense that Norton would be involved, hadn't thought about that angle. CCleaner's an innocent bystander. Sometimes I feel like a ping-pong ball bouncing back and forth between MS and Norton. Sure wish those two would get together for compatibility sake. All I want is a PC that works correctly. Oh well, maybe someday . . .
Has anyone figured out how to get the restore points on WindowsXP from disappearing when using CCleaner.exe? If so, can you tell me how you configured it? Thanks
DeeDee -- Check out Hazelnut's reply above, seems like Norton's the culprit.
I have a Toshiba Laptop running Windows XP SP2 and it appears that CCleaner (1.39.502) is erasing restore point(s). I noticed that they were all gone after attempting to recover from an unrelated install. Just to be sure, I set a new point, verified that it was ready/available, then ran CCleaner "Clean" option. I found no reference to the restore point files in the list, so I erased them. Immediately went back to system restore and found that the point I had set was gone.
Next I checked my system restore points on a nearby Gateway 4016. Lots of points in place, but not sure when I ran my last CCleaner "Clean". Ran it again, cleaned it, and the restore points remained intact.
I don't have Norton or shredder or any of the other stuff going on the Toshiba, and since this was an immediate test (set restore point, run CClean, restore point gone), it suggests there may be some issue. I'll keep observing this to see if I can narrow it down.
CClean is an outstanding program, but if it has this vulnerability, I'm sure MrG will want to fix it.
I have a Toshiba Laptop running Windows XP SP2 and it appears that CCleaner (1.39.502) is erasing restore point(s). I noticed that they were all gone after attempting to recover from an unrelated install. Just to be sure, I set a new point, verified that it was ready/available, then ran CCleaner "Clean" option. I found no reference to the restore point files in the list, so I erased them. Immediately went back to system restore and found that the point I had set was gone.
Next I checked my system restore points on a nearby Gateway 4016. Lots of points in place, but not sure when I ran my last CCleaner "Clean". Ran it again, cleaned it, and the restore points remained intact.
I don't have Norton or shredder or any of the other stuff going on the Toshiba, and since this was an immediate test (set restore point, run CClean, restore point gone), it suggests there may be some issue. I'll keep observing this to see if I can narrow it down.
CClean is an outstanding program, but if it has this vulnerability, I'm sure MrG will want to fix it.