This post is prompted by one of our Avinashtech Forum members Hakah issue with infections related to system restore files. Today we will talk about how to delete system restore files easily to get rid of those infected files (if any) and regain the hard disk space associated with these files.

Generally, system restore by default settings of Windows can occupy up to 12% space on your hard disk. So, if you got a 250 GB hard drive, then system restore can consume up to 30 GB space on your drive unless you reclaim that space. Today we will talk about how to do that.

In windows 7, just navigate to Control Panel>> All control Panel items>> System. There just click on System Protection and in the window that pops up, select the hard drive from which you want to delete or clear system restore . Click on Configure.

In the next window, just select “Turn off system restore” and Move the slider below of “Max usage” to zero percent. After that save it. When you save these settings or apply these settings, all your old system restore files will be deleted automatically and  your disk space will be free. Any infected files, if any that existed in those system restore files are deleted too along with the system restore files.

The Procedure is almost same in Windows XP too. Ask me if you can not find the relevant option.

After you are done here, you should enable the system restore option again by using the same options window as shown above and you can move the ” Max usage ” slider to say 5 % or any other value you are comfortable with. If you don’t want to enable System Restore, then you need not do anything. But my opinion, enable system restore as sometimes in case of infections or corrupted system files, it is the easiest way to get back your system running again.

Caution:-  Keep in mind, by deleting these files , you are deleting the system restore points of your system. Use it only when you are sure that you don’t need to restore your system to a previous date or state.