Windows 10: Continuing problems with System Restore

I need to restore my system to a particular previous date, but keep running into problems with stuff from the iCloud directory. The first time I tried, I got this error message: System Restore failed while deleting the following file/directory.Path: C:\Users\[me]\Pictures\iCloud Photos\PhotosAn unspecified error occurred during System Restore. 0x800717ac5I did some hunting around on line and eventually found this advice: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-client/backup-and-storage/system-restore-fail-error-0x8007045bI followed that advice, but still no dice. Here's the er

:)

 

Windows 10 1709 System Restore problems...

That seems to be an attempt at Option 2 in the tutorial, which requires you to
a. Boot to a command prompt (Did you?)
b. You then seem to be mixing steps 3,4 and 5, thus your command is incorrect.

I suggest Option 1 is easier.

If you still have problems, please repost listing each specific step and saying which option from the tutorial you are using. Thanks.

 

System Restore Error 0x81000203

Good day,

We can see here that you are having issues performing system restore on your computer. Having said that, we need to determine the cause of this problem. Before we proceed, may we know the following:

• Any changes made on the computer prior to this concern?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
• Are you getting any error messages when trying to perform system restore? If so, can you send us a screenshot?
  Note: Please do not include any personal information.
• Have you performed all the suggested troubleshooting steps found on this thread?

 

How to delete inactive System Image Restore Points in System Restore

Windows 10 64-bit.
When I click "show more restore points" in System Restore I see a bunch of old "system image restore points" that were deleted in past and do not correspond to any currently active restore points. Clicking any of these old restore points, I simply get an error message saying they could not be found, and to select another restore point instead.I would like to delete these restore points listings but have been unable to do so.
So far, I have tried steps mentioned below without any luck :

Disk Cleanup through (C Properties
Disable System Protection (OFF and ON) in System Protection for OS (C
Disk Space Usage to minimum (slider button all the way to the left then 'Delete all restore points for this drive'),
Delete all shown Restore points in CCleaner (the problem ones do not show here),
Reset Windows Backup to Default in Windows 10 with 'Reset_Windows_Backup.bat' utility.

Any suggestions highly welcome.