Windows 7 System Restore problem

[Landers]

In the System Restore window, it says:

"System Restore does not affect any of your documents, pictures, or
other personal data. Recently installed programs and drivers might be
uninstalled. Is this process reversible?"

I have had a problem since Vista of System Restore deleting some personal files from personal folders. It says above that it will not affect your "personal data" but it does. I had to do a System Restore yesterday (used the restore file before the most current) and when I tried to compile a program this morning, several files were missing. The folder/files were as follows:

C:\CodeTyphon\Lazarus\ALazarusProjects\MyProjectTest\GnuPG
empty keys
fingerprint.txt
gpg.conf
gpg.exe - missing after doing a System Restore
iconv.dll - missing after doing a System Restore
pubkey.asc
pubring.bak
pubring.gpg
random_seed
secring.gpg
trustdb.gpg

C:\CodeTyphon\Lazarus\ALazarusProjects\MyProjectTest\Stunnel\
stunnel.exe - missing after doing a System Restore
- others also missing after doing a System Restore (can't remember)

C:\CodeTyphon\Lazarus\ALazarusProjects\MyProjectTest\Mixmaster\
mix.cfg - missing after doing a System Restore

Wonder if this is a system bug? None of these files are pointed to in the registry.

Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

It's concerning that after performing a System Restore, specific files from your personal folders are missing. While System Restore is designed to revert system files, settings, and program installations to a previous working state without affecting personal files, incidents like the one you described are not typical. Here's some information and steps you can take to address this issue: 1. System Restore and Personal Data: - System Restore is meant to restore system files, settings, and program installations. It generally does not affect personal files like documents, pictures, etc. However, it's essential to have backups of your important data as System Restore might not always work as expected. 2. Missing Files after System Restore: - When files go missing after a System Restore, it could be due to various reasons: - The files might have been corrupted or deleted prior to the restore. - In rare cases, System Restore might not have completed successfully, leading to file loss. - Antivirus programs sometimes quarantine files after a restore, mistaking them for potential threats. Check your antivirus settings for any quarantine actions. 3. Resolving Missing Files: - To address the missing files issue: - Check the Recycle Bin to ensure the files weren't accidentally deleted. - Perform a thorough search on your system to see if these files are located elsewhere. - Consider using a file recovery tool to attempt to retrieve the missing files. - Update your antivirus software to ensure it's not quarantining these files. 4. Preventing Data Loss in Future: - Regularly back up your important files to an external drive, cloud storage, or another location to prevent data loss in the future. 5. Registry and Missing Files: - The absence of references to these files in the registry does not necessarily indicate a bug. Registry entries may not always reflect every file on your system, especially user-created files. If you suspect a system bug, it might be worth checking with Microsoft support or seeking assistance from a technical expert to investigate further. If you need assistance with file recovery or further troubleshooting steps, feel free to provide more details or ask for specific guidance.