I've created an installer that enables the System Restore feature of Windows 7 to Windows Server 2008 R2. It has a few minor drawbacks. I was unable to create "System Protection" link via "Control Panel\System and Security\System". Also system protection (aka system restore) is not enabled by default on the system drive. To enable system restore on your system drive, follow my tutorial below.

Download here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VKE7O03T

***Uninstaller is attached below. ***

Directions: Extract System Restore.zip to your desktop and run install.bat


Enable System Protection

1. Click on Start and choose Run...
2. Type in systempropertiesprotection and hit enter
3. Highlight your system drive and then click on the Configure... button
4. In the Restore Settings section select either the Only restore previous version of files or the Restore system settings and previous versions of files option to enable system restore. (Restore system settings and previous version of files is preferred)
5. In the Disk Space Usage section set a fixed disk quota for system restore points by selecting how much disk space you would like to allocate to system restore points. Slide the bar next to Max Usage to a preferred selection. 20% is a good standard option to use.

Screenshots













As you can see all the aspects of system restore is working normally. I can create a system restore point, restore back from a previously saved restore point, and undo a system restore as evidenced by the screenshots above. Please feel free to test this out and ensure that it is working properly.

Tips:

Change the System Restore Schedule in Task Scheduler

By default a system restore point will be created on startup or daily at 12:00AM. This seems a bit excessive and can quickly chew up your disk space. In the example below I will show you how to set the system restore points to create a normal scheduled restore point every 2 weeks. A system restore point will be generated any time a major system event has occurred (installation of programs, windows updates, driver installation) and cannot be prevented. It is this way by design.


1. Click on Start and type in Task Scheduler

2. Expand the Task Scheduler Library folder by clicking the triangle icon to the left

3. Navigate to Microsoft > Windows > SystemRestore


4. In the middle window, right-click on SR and choose Properties

5. Select Triggers

6. Delete "At Startup"

7. Highlight the "Daily At 12:00AM" option and click Edit...

8. In the Settings section on the upper left side, change the radio button to Monthly

9. Ensure that the Days radio button option is selected and then click the drop down arrow. Select your own personal 2 week schedule. For example I used 1,15,29.

10. Click the drop down arrow next to the Months radio button option.

11. Highlight the <select all months> checkbox.

12. Click Ok.

13. Click Ok on the SR Properties window to accept the changes.

Optional: Change the scheduled time to a more suitable time than 12:00AM just in case your computer isn't turned on during those hours of the night.

Wow, nice work!

That's great! Very good job! Added a link to this topic as step 15 at the Win2008R2Workstation.com main page

I tried this and I get a "SPP.dll" missing error. any suggestions?

1. Are you running install.bat under an administrator account?

If not, try doing so under an Administrators group account.

2. Does spp.dll exist in c:\windows\system32?

Right-click command prompt run as administrator.
Type: sfc /scanfile: c:\windows\system32\spp.dll

3. Did you unzip the file before running install.bat?

Unzip the System Restore.zip file to Desktop and try launching install.bat as an administrator (Run as Administrator)

4. Is your copy of Windows activated?

1. Are you running install.bat under an administrator account?

Yes.

2. Does spp.dll exist in c:\windows\system32?

Right-click command prompt run as administrator.
Type: sfc /scanfile: c:\windows\system32\spp.dll

returns "windows resource protection did not find any integrity issues"

3. Did you unzip the file before running install.bat?

I executed install.bat after unzipping the files.

4. Is your copy of Windows activated?

No. I just installed it.

First try activating Windows to see if this solves it. If not answer the following questions.

1. Do you have following features installed (YES/NO)

.net framework 3.5 features
Desktop Experience
Windows Server Backup

2. Is the following services started in services.msc?

Software Protection Platform

3. Can you see the System Protection tab?

Click on Start, navigate to Computer. Right-click Computer and choose Properties.
Now click on Advanced system settings. Is the system protection tab available?

First try activating Windows to see if this solves it. If not answer the following questions.

1. Do you have following features installed (YES/NO)

.net framework 3.5 features - NO
Desktop Experience - YES
Windows Server Backup - It wasn't when i initially tried it. After this procedure didnot work, I browsed around and found instructions on using Windows Server Backup. I then installed the feature.

2. Is the following services started in services.msc?

Software Protection Platform - Yes. but that could have happen after I installed the Windows Server Backup feature.

3. Can you see the System Protection tab?

I don't remember seeing this before I installed the server Backup feature, but I am not sure.


I followed the instructions on this page to set backup.
http://www.winserverhelp.com/2010/03/wi ... d-restore/

You need to install .NET Framework 3.5.1 features in Server Manager under Add New Features. This should solve your problem.

thanks.