Completely recovering data stored on a hard disk or other computer-readable media of a computing system from scratch in an automated manner. Recovery information and post-restore customization data are stored on the backup medium that stores the backup of the computer-readable media of the computing system (e.g., operating system, application programs, user data, application data, etc.). The computing system is rebooted into a recovery environment where a recovery script automates the recovery of the backup. The recovery information and post-restore customization data are applied to the offline, recovered backup to ensure continuity. The computing system is rebooted into the recovered backup.