Tech fixes · Spreadsheets, Data & AI

# Are Your Backups Actually Working? How to Test a Restore

A backup you haven’t restored is a guess. Check that backups ran recently, restore a few files on a schedule, keep at least one copy offline or immutable, and remember that Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data needs its own backup.

Also searched as: test a backup restore · backup not working · 3-2-1 backup rule · Microsoft 365 backup

- **Starting price:** From $150

- **Where:** Remote, anywhere in the U.S.

- **Quote:** Fixed price before work starts

## Try this first

- List what you need to protect: computers, servers, cloud apps and your website
- Check the date of the last successful backup for each
- Restore a few files to a different folder and open them
- Keep a copy offline or immutable, out of ransomware’s reach
- Back up Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace separately
- Write down the restore steps and who does them

Common causes

- Backups that stopped months ago without anyone noticing
- Only one copy, on the same network as the originals
- Cloud apps assumed to be backed up
- No one knows the restore steps

## When it’s more than a quick fix

If backups have never been tested, live on the same network or don’t cover cloud apps, fix that before you need them.

### How we fix it remotely

We audit your backups, set up proper 3-2-1 protection with offline copies, run a test restore and give you a written recovery plan.

### In-depth guides

- [Hacked? What to Do in the First Hour (Email, Ransomware or Fake Invoices)](https://wisconsintechshop.com/guides/what-to-do-if-your-business-is-hacked/)

Get it fixed

## How a remote fix works

1. **Tell us what’s happening:** Two minutes with the form on this page. No account needed.
2. **Get a fixed price:** A personal reply within one business day, with the price agreed before any work starts.
3. **We fix it remotely:** You approve access, follow progress and pay in your private client portal.

## Related services

- [Data Backup & Recovery for Offices](https://wisconsintechshop.com/it-support/data-backup-recovery/): Automatic backups of computers, files, email and accounting data, kept off site and tested, so a dead drive or ransomware is an inconvenience, not a disaster. (From $150)
- [Ransomware Protection & Recovery Planning](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/ransomware-protection/): Make ransomware a bad day instead of a disaster: layered protection, backups attackers cannot touch and a tested plan to get running again. (From $500)
- [Website Backups & Disaster Recovery](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/website-backups/): Automatic, off-site backups of your website, database and files, with tested restores so a bad update or hack is a minor inconvenience. (From $150)

## Questions

### What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?

Three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site.

### How often should I test my backups?

At least every few months, and after any big change to your systems.

### Can you fix this remotely?

We audit your backups, set up proper 3-2-1 protection with offline copies, run a test restore and give you a written recovery plan.

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[All tech fixes](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/)

## Want us to just fix it?

Tell us what’s happening. Most problems like this are fixed remotely, often the same day, and every request gets a personal reply within one business day.

- Big projects and small ones are all welcome
- Fixed-price quotes, no surprise invoices
- You own your code, data and accounts
- A client portal to track progress, invoices and payments
- Rooted in Wisconsin, serving businesses nationwide

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Source: https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/test-your-backups/
Contact: hello@wisconsintechshop.com · https://wisconsintechshop.com/contact/