Technology Basics: Bare Metal Restore

Sometimes an issue on your computer causes it to be so far gone that drastic action is needed to get it back in gear. This is where the bare metal restore comes in, and it’s something that you only want to do in the event that you encounter a problem that is just too much to bear. We’ll walk you through what this is, what it involves, and why you might have to do it in the future.

What is a Bare Metal Restore?
The definition is in the name; a bare metal restore is the process of wiping everything on your device, then reinstalling it at a later date. This includes the operating system and any applications that have been installed. Once this is done, often times the user will try to restore the data and settings that were on the device as well, but depending on the disaster that strikes, this isn’t always possible. As you can see, this is a major process that is done only in the event that something truly awful happens to the device.

A bare metal restore doesn’t have to be done on just a workstation--it can be done on a server unit, as well.

Why Would You Ever Do a Bare Metal Restore?
To understand why you might need to deploy a bare metal restore of your device or server unit, let’s think a little about what reinstalling an operating system might entail. When you reinstall an operating system, you’re installing it on a device that has no software at all, in its most “clean” state. This means that the files you’re installing are the default files for the operating system. Thus, a bare metal restore will be helpful in the event someone accidentally removes key files from the operating system (which should only be possible through an administrator account--check those permissions while you’re at it).

Of course, it’s not always this simple. A nasty piece of malware could cause considerable damage to your business’ files, and in some cases (like ransomware) make them completely inaccessible to the user. In situations like this, it’s hard to imagine any solution but a bare metal restore, where the issue is completely wiped out and you can start again from scratch.

This process is far from simple, though. You will likely run into issues with the BIOS of the operating system, as well as countless other inefficiencies that could potentially derail your plan to get back in action as soon as possible. This is why we recommend working with technology professionals who know what they are doing--especially for a task like a bare metal restore. There are solutions out there that can make this process much easier and more efficient for your organization. All you need to do is find them.

Horne & Benik can help your business perform a bare metal restore and guide it through the process of getting back to business after a disaster. To learn more, reach out to us at (603) 499-4400.