System and method for institutional computer restoration

摘要

A system and method that restores a computer system is provided. An image is created of a primary drive that includes an operating system and one or more applications. A copy of the image is stored on a second nonvolatile storage area. In one embodiment, the second nonvolatile storage area is a hidden partition of a hard drive. Patches are received for the operating system and the applications and applied to the corresponding operating system or applications. A copy of the patch files is stored in the second nonvolatile storage area. When the system is restored, the primary drive is reformatted and the image stored on the second nonvolatile storage area is copied to the primary drive. The patches stored on the second nonvolatile storage area are then applied to the operating system and applications included in the image that was copied to the primary drive.