What to Expect During a Restore

When data needs to be restored — whether it’s a single file or an entire system — it can feel stressful. Many people expect a restore to be instant or to put everything back exactly the way it was.

In reality, restores are a controlled recovery process, and understanding what happens helps set realistic expectations.

This post explains what a restore involves, what you may notice while it’s happening, and why timing can vary.

First: what kind of restore is being done?

Not all restores are the same. The experience depends on what is being restored.

Common restore scenarios include:

  • A single file or folder

  • Multiple files from a shared drive

  • A user’s data after accidental deletion

  • An entire computer or server (image-based restore)

  • Cloud data (such as OneDrive or SharePoint)

The more data involved, the longer and more structured the process will be.

What happens before the restore starts

Before restoring data, we typically:

  • Confirm what needs to be restored

  • Identify the correct point in time

  • Verify that the backup exists and is intact

  • Ensure restoring won’t overwrite newer, valid data

This step is critical. Restoring the wrong version can cause additional data loss.

What you may notice during a restore

Depending on the situation, you might notice:

  • Files reappearing gradually

  • Temporary slowness while data is copying back

  • Applications being unavailable during system restores

  • A system reboot (for full system restores)

  • Limited access while data is being validated

For full system restores, the device may be unusable until the process completes.

Why restores take time

Several factors affect restore speed:

Amount of data

Restoring one document is fast. Restoring hundreds of gigabytes takes longer.

Type of restore

  • File-level restores are usually quicker

  • Image-based restores take more time but recover more

Storage and connection speed

Restore time depends on:

  • Local vs. cloud backup location

  • Network speed

  • Disk performance on the target system

Verification and integrity checks

After data is restored, systems often:

  • Verify file integrity

  • Confirm applications start correctly

  • Ensure the system is stable

These checks protect against corrupted or incomplete restores.

What restores can (and can’t) do

Restores CAN:

  • Recover data that existed at the backup time

  • Roll back ransomware-encrypted files

  • Restore previous versions of files

  • Bring systems back to a working state

Restores CANNOT:

  • Recover data that never made it into a backup

  • Undo actions that happened after the last backup

  • Guarantee zero downtime

  • Replace data that was deleted outside backup scope

A restore brings data back to a known good point in time, not necessarily the most recent moment.

Why access may be limited during a restore

During some restores, especially system-level ones:

  • Files may be locked

  • Applications may be offline

  • Users may be temporarily unable to log in

This is intentional. Allowing changes during a restore can:

  • Corrupt recovered data

  • Cause version conflicts

  • Extend recovery time

Limiting access ensures a clean and reliable recovery.

After the restore completes

Once the restore finishes, we typically:

  • Verify key files or systems

  • Confirm applications function properly

  • Return access to users

  • Monitor for any follow-up issues

If something doesn’t look right after a restore, it’s important to report it promptly so it can be addressed while recovery details are still fresh.

Common questions

Will everything be exactly the same as before?
Not always. The system or data is restored to the state it was in at the selected backup point.

Can I keep working during a restore?
Sometimes — for small file restores. For larger or system restores, it’s usually best to wait.

How long will it take?
That depends on data size, type of restore, and system conditions. We’ll provide estimates whenever possible.

Our recommendation

During a restore:

  • Be patient and avoid making changes until recovery completes

  • Save new work elsewhere if advised

  • Communicate promptly if something appears missing or incorrect

Restores are a powerful recovery tool, but they are a process, not an instant switch. Taking the time to do them correctly helps ensure data is recovered safely and reliably.

If you ever have questions about what’s being restored or what to expect, we’re happy to walk you through it.

Al Davis