Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can enable or disable System Protection for a drive and limit the disk space used by restore points. Open Start, search for Create a restore point, then use System Protection > Configure. The classic control does not offer a regular automatic schedule; Microsoft says restore points are created automatically “when needed.”
Change classic System Protection settings
- Open Start and search for Create a restore point.
- Open the result and select the System Protection tab.
- Select the drive you want to change, then choose Configure.
- In the dialog, turn protection on or off and adjust the maximum disk space allocated to restore points. Apply the change.
To make a restore point yourself, return to the System Protection tab and choose Create. Microsoft describes automatic restore-point creation as happening “when needed”; the classic dialog does not provide a recurring schedule setting. Microsoft’s System Protection guidance explains the feature and its controls.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What “shadow copies” refers to
System Protection restore points use snapshot technology associated with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). The space slider in System Protection is the straightforward control for restore-point storage. VSS shadow storage is a lower-level storage association that can also be inspected and changed with an elevated Command Prompt; it is not simply another name for the System Protection dialog.
Inspect or limit VSS shadow storage
Check the current storage association
Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run:
vssadmin list shadowstorageThe output shows the source volume, the volume holding its shadow copies, and the space used. Check the association before changing its limit. Microsoft documents the command output.
#1 Best Overall
- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Set a maximum
In an elevated Command Prompt, use this syntax, replacing the volume letters and limit with values suitable for the computer:
vssadmin resize shadowstorage /for=<source-volume> /on=<storage-volume> /maxsize=<limit>For example, Microsoft documents this command for a 20% maximum on the C: volume:
Rank #2
- 【Plug-and-Play Expandability】 With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use in Windows（For Mac，first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【Fast Data Transfers 】The external hard drives with the USB 3.0 cable to provide super fast transfer speed. The theoretical read speed is as high as 110MB/s-133MB/s, and the write speed is as high as 103MB/s.
- 【High capacity in a small enclosure 】The small, lightweight design offers up to 500GB capacity, offering ample space for storing large files, multimedia content, and backups with ease. Weighing only 0.35 Lbs, it's easy to carry "
- 【Wide Compatibility】Supports PS4 5/xbox one/Windows/Linux/Mac and other operating systems, ensuring seamless integration with game consoles,various laptops and desktops .
- Important Notes for PS/Xbox Gaming Devices: You can play last-gen games (PS4 / Xbox One) directly from an external hard drive. However, to play current-gen games (PS5 / Xbox Series X|S), you must copy them to the console's internal SSD first. The external drive is great for keeping your library on hand, but it can't run the new games.
vssadmin resize shadowstorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=20%That example is not a universal recommendation. Microsoft warns that resizing a shadow-storage association may cause shadow copies to disappear, so lowering the cap can reduce the available history and may remove existing copies. See Microsoft’s resize command reference.
Recommended Free Tools
Will reducing shadow storage delete restore points?
It can cause shadow copies to disappear. Because restore points may depend on those copies, do not reduce the limit casually if you need older recovery points. There is no universally correct percentage: the appropriate cap depends on the space available and how much restore-point history you want to retain.
Rank #3
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Delete shadow copies only when you mean to
The vssadmin delete shadows command permanently removes selected client-accessible shadow copies. Microsoft warns that deleted copies cannot be recovered; previous versions or restore points that depend on them are lost. Confirm the target volume and the copies selected before running a deletion command. Microsoft’s deletion command documentation describes the operation.
System Restore is intended to undo system changes without affecting personal files, but that is not a guarantee for every application or data situation. Keep a separate backup of important files rather than treating restore points as a backup. Microsoft’s System Protection guidance describes the recovery feature.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- World’s First 6TB 2.5” Portable Hard Drive
- Plug-and-play expandability
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Do not confuse these Windows features
- System Protection / System Restore: The classic feature configured per volume through Create a restore point > System Protection > Configure. Its controls include enabling or disabling protection and setting a maximum space allocation.
- VSS shadow storage: The underlying storage association that can be inspected and resized with
vssadmin. Changing its cap may make copies disappear. - Point-in-time restore: A separate Windows 11 feature configured in Settings, with its own frequency, retention, and maximum-use controls. Availability and defaults vary by edition and management status; its controls are not the classic System Protection settings. Microsoft’s point-in-time restore documentation covers that feature.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
