Windows 10: What Could Cause All Restore Points to be Deleted

Windows 10 Pro - 2004, OS Build: 19041.685
These 2 available Updates *Not* installed
KB890830 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - v5.85
KB4598242 2021-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 2004 for x64-based Systems
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Howdy Folks! *Smile
As I was setting my daily System Restore Point I found all previous ones have been deleted. Other than the highly unlikely possibility I deleted them by mistake, I'm seeking what else could have caused this to happen.

Thanks in advance to all who read this and to those who reply!
*Cool

:)

 

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.

 

Restore points being deleted

Hi.

If you have a complete backup image, I would clear all your restore points first.

The deletion of restore points are generally caused by any one of the following by-design conditions:

1) You run out of disk space on the system drive or on any one of the available non-system drives, and System Restore stops responding and stops monitoring your system.
2) You manually turn System Restore off. (not in your case.)
3) A restore point reaches an age of 90 days. The restore point is then deleted because 90 days is the default time to live.

To resolve this, adjust the maximum storage allocation. Follow the steps listed below:

1) Press Windows key + W on the keyboard to search Settings, type “System” in the Search box and then click System from the list of results.
2) Click System protection in the task pane.
3) Under Protection Settings click to select Local Disk (C (System) and then click Configure.
4) Under Disk Space Usage, move the Max Usage slider to the right to increase the disk space usage for System Restore points.

Note: If the protection is turned on for additional drives you might consider increasing the Max Usage for those drives as well.

Does this help you?

*Think

 

How to delete inactive System Image Restore Points in System Restore

AndreTen - I have tried Disk Cleanup but unfortunately the problem entries did not go away.
I feel certain Bree (VIP Member) has identified the correct cause of this problem as above and his adviced solution should also do the trick.

- - - Updated - - -

Bree - Thank you. I must admit that I did use 'Create system image' a few times in 'Backup & Restore (Windows 7)' instead of 'Backup now' and these ghost entries relate to those actions. You have rightly identified the cause of this issue.
It is crazy that Microsoft has put two different backup options causing the issue of these ghost restore points.

Regarding your advice on how to rectify the issue - I must add that I am not very computer savvy and feel reluctant to use Diskpart utility etc to delete 'WindowsImageBackup\SPPMetadataCache' and 'WindowsImageBackup\Catalog folders' from within 'System Volume Information' folder with command Prompt as I fear damaging the pc by making any mistakes, as I have never done this before.

Please advice if there may be another simpler method to delete the above folders OR if you are able and have time to post a step by step instructions (with pictures if possible) on how to follow your advice. Much appreciated.