How-To Geek

Any other suggestions, folks?

Yes, I have performed image backup's to my external drive -- but not using Windows Backup/Restore. I use EaseUS instead. And in any case, these backup's have completely different dates from what's shown on the list shown in my first post.

Sadly, the big gun didn't work. All nine of the old restore points are laughing hysterically... :(

Have you tried using a third-party utility, such as CCleaner ?

Open CCleaner and select "Tools" from the menu on the right.

Select "System Restore" and you will see a list of all your restore points.

If those phantom restore appear in the list, highlight them one at a time and click on the "remove" function at the bottom.

After you have removed all the offending restore points, I would suggest you close CCleaner and then reboot your computer.

Once you have rebooted, open System Restore and see if they are still on the list - and also if they are still "seen" by CCleaner. If they have not been removed, the issue could possibly be somewhere in the registry - although I'm not sure where in the registry you would find the strings for the restore points - or if it's even there at all.

Hope this helps.