I use system restore on my Win 7s to back up some of the critical bits in the OS.
I use external hard drives to back up stuff I entirely control like data
As implied in my earlier post. That sort of routine has a very limited application and you certainly wouldn't find me condoning it.
For example......
- What happens if you apply a dodgy update ? Or your system looses power whilst installing updates ?
- What happens if you get a virus ?
etc. etc.
Those are just some of the sample "headaches" I alluded to when people misuse/abuse the limited capabilities of System Restore.
Trusting the system to backup "critical bits" on its own accord, onto the same drive the system is installed onto, is an exercise in futility.
P.S. For the benefit of the forum, the answer to the second point is .... For gods sake people when you figure out you have a virus, assuming you're not going to follow best practice of formatting your hard drive - since you can't fully trust your computer anymore - the first thing to do is to DELETE ALL system restores, NEVER,EVER attempt to make use of System Restore when trying to muddle your way through "fixing" a virus infested computer