Server Manager disk resets can result in data loss

October 28, 2022

Microsoft has developed a workaround for a recently identified problem that can lead to data loss when resetting virtual disks in some versions of Windows Server using the Server Manager management console.

IT administrators can use the Windows Server management console to deploy and manage local and remote Windows-based servers from their desktop. Physical access to the servers is not required, nor is it necessary to enable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on each server.

Once the problem is detected, the Windows Server management console allows IT administrators to deploy and manage local and remote Windows-based servers from their desktop without needing physical access to the servers or enabling Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on each server.

The following client and server Windows platforms are affected by this known issue: Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, and Windows 11 22H2.

For administrators who encounter this known issue, Microsoft offers a workaround that allows them to reset virtual disks without data loss.

To do this, use the following PowerShell commands to retrieve the device ID of the hard drive from all available storage management providers and erase the disk by removing all partition information and deinializing it, erasing all the data on the disk:

1. To get information about the disks, enter Select-Object -Property FriendlyName, DeviceID, UniqueId | Get-PhysicalDisk.

2. Confirm the information about the disk you want to reset. In the command, use the DeviceId of the disk as the Number: [-Number] Clear-Disk

The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.

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Jim Love

Jim is an author and podcast host with over 40 years in technology.

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