diff --git a/cmd/proxyctl/main.go b/cmd/proxyctl/main.go
index 3bb34d9..791e142 100644
--- a/cmd/proxyctl/main.go
+++ b/cmd/proxyctl/main.go
@@ -197,7 +197,16 @@ func runMaintenanceCommand(args []string, input io.Reader, output io.Writer, sto
 	if args[0] != "reset" {
 		return errors.New("invalid maintenance command")
 	}
-	fmt.Fprint(output, "Reset every managed Target and restore recorded original state? [y/N] ")
+	readOnlyState, readOnlyErr := store.ReadOnlyLoad()
+	if readOnlyErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("inspect Profile state before reset confirmation: %w", readOnlyErr)
+	}
+	warning := app.NewMaintenance(readOnlyState, targets, nil, nil).ResetConfirmation(context.Background())
+	fmt.Fprintln(output, "Reset every managed Target and restore recorded original state?")
+	if warning != "" {
+		fmt.Fprintln(output, warning)
+	}
+	fmt.Fprint(output, "Continue? [y/N] ")
 	answer, _ := bufio.NewReader(input).ReadString('\n')
 	answer = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(answer))
 	if answer != "y" && answer != "yes" {
@@ -222,8 +231,15 @@ func runMaintenanceCommand(args []string, input io.Reader, output io.Writer, sto
 			fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: skipped (%s) — %s\n", item.TargetID, item.Inspection.State, profile.RedactText(item.Inspection.Evidence))
 			continue
 		}
-		if item.Err != nil {
-			fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: failed (%s) — %s; fresh inspection: %s\n", item.TargetID, item.Inspection.State, profile.RedactText(item.Err.Error()), profile.RedactText(item.Inspection.Evidence))
+		if item.OperationErr != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: failed (%s) — %s; fresh inspection: %s\n", item.TargetID, item.Inspection.State, profile.RedactText(item.OperationErr.Error()), profile.RedactText(item.Inspection.Evidence))
+			if item.LogErr != nil {
+				fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: operation logging also failed — %s\n", item.TargetID, profile.RedactText(item.LogErr.Error()))
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+		if item.LogErr != nil {
+			fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: reset (%s) — %s; operation logging failed — %s\n", item.TargetID, item.Inspection.State, profile.RedactText(item.Inspection.Evidence), profile.RedactText(item.LogErr.Error()))
 			continue
 		}
 		fmt.Fprintf(output, "%s: reset (%s) — %s\n", item.TargetID, item.Inspection.State, profile.RedactText(item.Inspection.Evidence))
diff --git a/cmd/proxyctl/maintenance_test.go b/cmd/proxyctl/maintenance_test.go
index f1707d7..9ccf39a 100644
--- a/cmd/proxyctl/maintenance_test.go
+++ b/cmd/proxyctl/maintenance_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"proxyctl/internal/app"
 	"proxyctl/internal/gnome"
 	"proxyctl/internal/operationlock"
 	"proxyctl/internal/oplog"
@@ -29,11 +30,16 @@ func (failingIdentityEnvironment) LookupUser(string) (profile.UserIdentity, erro
 }
 func (failingIdentityEnvironment) LookupEnv(string) (string, bool) { return "", false }
 
+type failingOperationLogger struct{ err error }
+
+func (l failingOperationLogger) Write(app.LogEntry) error { return l.err }
+
 type processFakeTarget struct {
-	id    string
-	state target.State
-	err   error
-	calls int
+	id           string
+	state        target.State
+	err          error
+	calls        int
+	confirmation string
 }
 
 func (f *processFakeTarget) ID() string                      { return f.id }
@@ -41,7 +47,7 @@ func (f *processFakeTarget) Description() target.Description { return target.Des
 func (f *processFakeTarget) Availability(context.Context) target.Availability {
 	return target.Availability{Available: true, Evidence: "fake executable found"}
 }
-func (f *processFakeTarget) Confirmation(bool) string { return "" }
+func (f *processFakeTarget) Confirmation(bool) string { return f.confirmation }
 func (f *processFakeTarget) Inspect(context.Context, *profile.Profile) target.Inspection {
 	return target.Inspection{State: f.state, Evidence: "fake evidence for http://alice:secret@proxy.test"}
 }
@@ -217,14 +223,21 @@ func TestCommandsRunAsRealProcessesInsideIsolatedUserState(t *testing.T) {
 	if !strings.Contains(string(doctorOutput), "Profile validity") || (doctorErr != nil && !strings.Contains(string(doctorOutput), "[FAIL]")) {
 		t.Fatalf("doctor process err=%v output=%q", doctorErr, doctorOutput)
 	}
+	resetMarker := filepath.Join(root, "home", "reset-mutation-marker")
 	resetOutput, err := invoke("no\n", "reset")
-	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "Reset cancelled") {
+	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "Reset cancelled") || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "Docker will restart immediately") {
 		t.Fatalf("reset cancellation process err=%v output=%q", err, resetOutput)
 	}
+	if _, statErr := os.Stat(resetMarker); !errors.Is(statErr, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("cancelled real process mutated reset fixture: %v", statErr)
+	}
 	resetOutput, err = invoke("yes\n", "reset")
-	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "shell: skipped (Disabled)") {
+	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "shell: skipped (Disabled)") || !strings.Contains(string(resetOutput), "docker-daemon-test: reset (Disabled)") {
 		t.Fatalf("confirmed reset process err=%v output=%q", err, resetOutput)
 	}
+	if data, readErr := os.ReadFile(resetMarker); readErr != nil || string(data) != "reset\n" {
+		t.Fatalf("confirmed real process marker err=%v data=%q", readErr, data)
+	}
 	installOutput, err := invoke("", "shell", "install")
 	if err != nil || !strings.Contains(string(installOutput), "installed") {
 		t.Fatalf("shell install process err=%v output=%q", err, installOutput)
@@ -359,6 +372,47 @@ func TestResetSuppressesSavedGNOMEPasswordFromOperationCLIAndLogsWithoutActivePr
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResetPromptIncludesEveryManagedTargetWarningAndCancellationDoesNotMutate(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	config := filepath.Join(root, "profiles.json")
+	writeConfig(t, config, `{"profiles":[]}`)
+	store := profile.NewFileStore(config)
+	daemon := &processFakeTarget{id: "docker-daemon", state: target.Drifted, confirmation: "Docker will restart immediately and may disrupt running containers and other work."}
+	other := &processFakeTarget{id: "other", state: target.Enabled, confirmation: "Other managed warning."}
+	external := &processFakeTarget{id: "external", state: target.External, confirmation: "must not appear"}
+	var output bytes.Buffer
+
+	err := runMaintenanceCommand([]string{"reset"}, strings.NewReader("no\n"), &output, store, []target.Target{daemon, other, external}, operationlock.New(filepath.Join(root, "operation.lock")), nil, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	text := output.String()
+	for _, want := range []string{"docker-daemon: Docker will restart immediately", "other: Other managed warning", "Reset cancelled"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(text, want) {
+			t.Errorf("reset output missing %q: %q", want, text)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(text, "must not appear") || daemon.calls+other.calls+external.calls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("cancel output=%q calls=%d/%d/%d", text, daemon.calls, other.calls, external.calls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResetCommandReportsCompletedTargetTruthWhenOperationLoggingFails(t *testing.T) {
+	root := t.TempDir()
+	config := filepath.Join(root, "profiles.json")
+	writeConfig(t, config, `{"profiles":[]}`)
+	managed := &processFakeTarget{id: "managed", state: target.Enabled}
+	var output bytes.Buffer
+
+	err := runMaintenanceCommand([]string{"reset"}, strings.NewReader("yes\n"), &output, profile.NewFileStore(config), []target.Target{managed}, operationlock.New(filepath.Join(root, "operation.lock")), failingOperationLogger{err: errors.New("log device full")}, nil)
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "log device full") {
+		t.Fatalf("logger failure err=%v output=%q", err, output.String())
+	}
+	if managed.calls != 1 || managed.state != target.Disabled || !strings.Contains(output.String(), "managed: reset (Disabled)") || !strings.Contains(output.String(), "operation logging failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("logger failure truth output=%q calls=%d state=%s", output.String(), managed.calls, managed.state)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResetCommandCancellationAndTruthfulPartialFailureWithFakeTargets(t *testing.T) {
 	root := t.TempDir()
 	config := filepath.Join(root, "xdg-config", "proxyctl", "profiles.json")
diff --git a/cmd/proxyctl/process_testenv.go b/cmd/proxyctl/process_testenv.go
index 3e5f493..88a3810 100644
--- a/cmd/proxyctl/process_testenv.go
+++ b/cmd/proxyctl/process_testenv.go
@@ -3,21 +3,47 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"os"
 	"os/user"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 
 	"proxyctl/internal/profile"
 	"proxyctl/internal/target"
 )
 
+type processResetTarget struct{ marker string }
+
+func (t processResetTarget) ID() string { return "docker-daemon-test" }
+func (t processResetTarget) Description() target.Description {
+	return target.Description{Name: "Docker daemon"}
+}
+func (t processResetTarget) Availability(context.Context) target.Availability {
+	return target.Availability{Available: true, Evidence: "isolated process fixture"}
+}
+func (t processResetTarget) Inspect(context.Context, *profile.Profile) target.Inspection {
+	if _, err := os.Stat(t.marker); err == nil {
+		return target.Inspection{State: target.Disabled, Evidence: "isolated managed configuration removed"}
+	}
+	return target.Inspection{State: target.Drifted, Evidence: "isolated recovery metadata exists"}
+}
+func (t processResetTarget) Confirmation(bool) string {
+	return "Docker will restart immediately. This may disrupt running containers and other work."
+}
+func (t processResetTarget) SetDesired(context.Context, bool, *profile.Profile) target.OperationResult {
+	err := os.WriteFile(t.marker, []byte("reset\n"), 0o600)
+	return target.OperationResult{Inspection: t.Inspect(context.Background(), nil), Err: err}
+}
+
 // This file is compiled only into the process-smoke binary. It gives that real
 // executable an identity whose home is inside the test sandbox and omits
 // production system Targets, so no command can reach developer or host state.
 func init() {
 	processProductionTargets = func(profile.IdentityEnvironment) ([]target.Target, error) {
-		return []target.Target{}, nil
+		home := os.Getenv("PROXYCTL_PROCESS_TEST_HOME")
+		return []target.Target{processResetTarget{marker: filepath.Join(home, "reset-mutation-marker")}}, nil
 	}
 	processCurrentUser = func() (profile.UserIdentity, error) {
 		home := os.Getenv("PROXYCTL_PROCESS_TEST_HOME")
diff --git a/internal/app/maintenance.go b/internal/app/maintenance.go
index 133da03..07ceb6f 100644
--- a/internal/app/maintenance.go
+++ b/internal/app/maintenance.go
@@ -94,10 +94,12 @@ func (m *Maintenance) Doctor(ctx context.Context, applicationChecks []target.Che
 }
 
 type ResetTargetResult struct {
-	TargetID   string
-	Inspection target.Inspection
-	Skipped    bool
-	Err        error
+	TargetID     string
+	Inspection   target.Inspection
+	Skipped      bool
+	OperationErr error
+	LogErr       error
+	Err          error
 }
 type ResetResult struct {
 	Cancelled bool
@@ -105,6 +107,23 @@ type ResetResult struct {
 	Err       error
 }
 
+// ResetConfirmation performs only read-only inspection and returns every
+// warning required by Targets that a reset would attempt to disable.
+func (m *Maintenance) ResetConfirmation(ctx context.Context) string {
+	active := activeFromState(m.state)
+	var warnings []string
+	for _, adapter := range m.targets {
+		inspection := adapter.Inspect(ctx, active)
+		if inspection.State != target.Enabled && inspection.State != target.Drifted {
+			continue
+		}
+		if warning := adapter.Confirmation(false); warning != "" {
+			warnings = append(warnings, adapter.ID()+": "+warning)
+		}
+	}
+	return strings.Join(warnings, "\n")
+}
+
 func (m *Maintenance) Reset(ctx context.Context, confirmed bool) ResetResult {
 	if !confirmed {
 		return ResetResult{Cancelled: true}
@@ -138,10 +157,18 @@ func (m *Maintenance) Reset(ctx context.Context, confirmed bool) ResetResult {
 			result.Err = errors.Join(result.Err, fmt.Errorf("reset %s Target: %w", adapter.ID(), redactError(operation.Err)))
 		}
 		detail = RedactLogDetail(detail)
+		operationErr := redactError(operation.Err)
+		var logErr error
 		if m.logger != nil {
-			_ = m.logger.Write(LogEntry{Time: time.Now(), Operation: "reset", Target: adapter.ID(), Result: outcome, Detail: detail})
+			if err := m.logger.Write(LogEntry{Time: time.Now(), Operation: "reset", Target: adapter.ID(), Result: outcome, Detail: detail}); err != nil {
+				logErr = redactError(err)
+				result.Err = errors.Join(result.Err, fmt.Errorf("record reset %s Target operation log: %w", adapter.ID(), logErr))
+			}
 		}
-		result.Targets = append(result.Targets, ResetTargetResult{TargetID: adapter.ID(), Inspection: finalInspection, Err: redactError(operation.Err)})
+		result.Targets = append(result.Targets, ResetTargetResult{
+			TargetID: adapter.ID(), Inspection: finalInspection,
+			OperationErr: operationErr, LogErr: logErr, Err: errors.Join(operationErr, logErr),
+		})
 	}
 	return result
 }
diff --git a/internal/app/maintenance_test.go b/internal/app/maintenance_test.go
index d4022a6..d4b52ca 100644
--- a/internal/app/maintenance_test.go
+++ b/internal/app/maintenance_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ type maintenanceTarget struct {
 	checks       []target.Check
 	disableErr   error
 	disableCalls int
+	confirmation string
 }
 
 func (f *maintenanceTarget) ID() string { return f.id }
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ func (f *maintenanceTarget) Description() target.Description {
 	return target.Description{Name: strings.ToUpper(f.id)}
 }
 func (f *maintenanceTarget) Availability(context.Context) target.Availability { return f.available }
-func (f *maintenanceTarget) Confirmation(bool) string                         { return "" }
+func (f *maintenanceTarget) Confirmation(bool) string                         { return f.confirmation }
 func (f *maintenanceTarget) Inspect(context.Context, *profile.Profile) target.Inspection {
 	return f.inspection
 }
@@ -73,11 +74,14 @@ func (l *recordingLock) Lock(context.Context) (func(), error) {
 	return func() { l.held-- }, nil
 }
 
-type recordingLog struct{ entries []app.LogEntry }
+type recordingLog struct {
+	entries []app.LogEntry
+	err     error
+}
 
 func (l *recordingLog) Write(entry app.LogEntry) error {
 	l.entries = append(l.entries, entry)
-	return nil
+	return l.err
 }
 
 func TestDoctorReportsReadOnlyChecksEvidenceAndRedactsCredentials(t *testing.T) {
@@ -149,6 +153,41 @@ func TestResetFailureUsesFreshInspectionForResultAndRedactedLog(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResetConfirmationAggregatesWarningsOnlyForManagedCandidatesWithoutMutation(t *testing.T) {
+	managed := &maintenanceTarget{id: "managed", inspection: target.Inspection{State: target.Enabled, Evidence: "managed"}}
+	drifted := &maintenanceTarget{id: "drifted", inspection: target.Inspection{State: target.Drifted, Evidence: "recovery metadata remains"}}
+	external := &maintenanceTarget{id: "external", inspection: target.Inspection{State: target.External, Evidence: "administrator owned"}}
+	managed.confirmation = "managed warning"
+	drifted.confirmation = "drifted warning"
+	external.confirmation = "must not be shown"
+	maintenance := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{}, []target.Target{managed, drifted, external}, &recordingLock{}, nil)
+
+	confirmation := maintenance.ResetConfirmation(context.Background())
+	for _, want := range []string{"managed: managed warning", "drifted: drifted warning"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(confirmation, want) {
+			t.Errorf("confirmation missing %q: %q", want, confirmation)
+		}
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(confirmation, "must not be shown") || managed.disableCalls+drifted.disableCalls+external.disableCalls != 0 {
+		t.Fatalf("confirmation=%q mutation calls=%d/%d/%d", confirmation, managed.disableCalls, drifted.disableCalls, external.disableCalls)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResetLoggerFailureIsReportedWithoutUndoingCompletedConfiguration(t *testing.T) {
+	adapter := &maintenanceTarget{id: "managed", inspection: target.Inspection{State: target.Enabled, Evidence: "managed"}}
+	logger := &recordingLog{err: errors.New("operation log disk full")}
+
+	result := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{}, []target.Target{adapter}, &recordingLock{}, logger).Reset(context.Background(), true)
+
+	if result.Err == nil || !strings.Contains(result.Err.Error(), "operation log disk full") || len(result.Targets) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("reset result = %#v", result)
+	}
+	item := result.Targets[0]
+	if item.Inspection.State != target.Disabled || item.OperationErr != nil || item.LogErr == nil || item.Err == nil || adapter.disableCalls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("logger failure outcome=%#v disable calls=%d", item, adapter.disableCalls)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResetRequiresConfirmationAndReportsTruthfulPartialResults(t *testing.T) {
 	good := &maintenanceTarget{id: "good", available: target.Availability{Available: true}, inspection: target.Inspection{State: target.Enabled, Evidence: "managed"}}
 	failure := errors.New("remove https://alice:secret@proxy.example failed: permission denied")
diff --git a/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient.go b/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient.go
index 2e4a997..1c386d1 100644
--- a/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient.go
+++ b/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient.go
@@ -358,6 +358,19 @@ func (a *Adapter) disable() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+	if err := validateManagedProxyStrings(defaults); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	currentFingerprint := fingerprintCurrent(config)
+	if currentFingerprint == fingerprintOriginal(metadata) {
+		if err := a.files.Remove(a.configuration.RecoveryFile); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("clean Docker client recovery metadata for already-restored proxy defaults: %w", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+	if currentFingerprint != metadata.Fingerprint {
+		return errors.New("Docker client managed proxy defaults changed after proxyctl applied them; refusing to overwrite current configuration or discard recovery metadata")
+	}
 	for _, key := range managedKeys {
 		prior := metadata.Original[key]
 		if prior.Present {
@@ -533,6 +546,19 @@ func fingerprintDefaults(values map[string]string) string {
 	return fingerprintSnapshot(snapshot)
 }
 
+func fingerprintOriginal(metadata recovery) string {
+	snapshot := make(map[string]managedValue, len(managedKeys))
+	for _, key := range managedKeys {
+		prior := metadata.Original[key]
+		value := managedValue{Present: prior.Present}
+		if prior.Present && json.Unmarshal(prior.Value, &value.Value) == nil {
+			value.Valid = true
+		}
+		snapshot[key] = value
+	}
+	return fingerprintSnapshot(snapshot)
+}
+
 func fingerprintCurrent(config map[string]json.RawMessage) string {
 	snapshot := make(map[string]managedValue, len(managedKeys))
 	proxies, _, proxyErr := childObject(config, "proxies")
diff --git a/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient_test.go b/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient_test.go
index 2268713..5866403 100644
--- a/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient_test.go
+++ b/internal/dockerclient/dockerclient_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"proxyctl/internal/app"
 	"proxyctl/internal/dockerclient"
 	"proxyctl/internal/profile"
 	"proxyctl/internal/target"
@@ -202,6 +203,56 @@ func TestEnableSafelyMergesAndDisableRestoresPriorDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResetDriftedDockerClientRejectsAdministratorManagedKeyEditsWithoutWritesOrCleanup(t *testing.T) {
+	files := &countingFS{FileSystem: dockerclient.OSFileSystem{}}
+	a := newAdapterWithFS(t, files)
+	writeConfig(t, a.ConfigPath(), `{"auths":{"keep":{}},"proxies":{"default":{"httpProxy":"http://prior.example:3128"}}}`)
+	if result := a.SetDesired(context.Background(), true, activeProfile()); result.Err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(result.Err)
+	}
+	updateDefaultKey(t, a.ConfigPath(), "httpProxy", json.RawMessage(`"http://administrator.example:3128"`))
+	configBefore := readFile(t, a.ConfigPath())
+	metadataBefore := readFile(t, a.RecoveryPath())
+	writesBefore := files.writes
+
+	reset := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{Profiles: []profile.Profile{*activeProfile()}, ActiveProfile: activeProfile().Name}, []target.Target{a}, immediateLock{}, nil).Reset(context.Background(), true)
+	if reset.Err == nil || len(reset.Targets) != 1 || reset.Targets[0].Inspection.State != target.Drifted || reset.Targets[0].Err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("conflicting reset = %#v", reset)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(reset.Targets[0].Err.Error(), "changed after proxyctl applied") || files.writes != writesBefore {
+		t.Fatalf("conflict outcome=%#v writes=%d->%d", reset.Targets[0], writesBefore, files.writes)
+	}
+	if got := readFile(t, a.ConfigPath()); got != configBefore {
+		t.Fatalf("conflict rewrote config:\n%s", got)
+	}
+	if got := readFile(t, a.RecoveryPath()); got != metadataBefore {
+		t.Fatalf("conflict changed metadata:\n%s", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestResetDriftedDockerClientAlreadyAtOriginalOnlyCleansMetadata(t *testing.T) {
+	files := &countingFS{FileSystem: dockerclient.OSFileSystem{}}
+	a := newAdapterWithFS(t, files)
+	original := `{"auths":{"keep":{}},"proxies":{"default":{"httpProxy":"http://prior.example:3128","custom":{"keep":true}}}}`
+	writeConfig(t, a.ConfigPath(), original)
+	if result := a.SetDesired(context.Background(), true, activeProfile()); result.Err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(result.Err)
+	}
+	writeConfig(t, a.ConfigPath(), original)
+	writesBefore := files.writes
+
+	reset := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{Profiles: []profile.Profile{*activeProfile()}, ActiveProfile: activeProfile().Name}, []target.Target{a}, immediateLock{}, nil).Reset(context.Background(), true)
+	if reset.Err != nil || len(reset.Targets) != 1 || reset.Targets[0].Inspection.State != target.External {
+		t.Fatalf("already-original reset = %#v", reset)
+	}
+	if files.writes != writesBefore || readFile(t, a.ConfigPath()) != original {
+		t.Fatalf("already-original reset wrote config: writes=%d->%d", writesBefore, files.writes)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(a.RecoveryPath()); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("recovery metadata remains: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestInspectionDistinguishesAllStatesAndManagedValueEditsDrift(t *testing.T) {
 	a := newAdapter(t, nil)
 	assertState(t, a, target.Disabled)
@@ -563,6 +614,10 @@ func assertState(t *testing.T, a *dockerclient.Adapter, want target.State) {
 	}
 }
 
+type immediateLock struct{}
+
+func (immediateLock) Lock(context.Context) (func(), error) { return func() {}, nil }
+
 type failingFS struct {
 	dockerclient.FileSystem
 	permission, failConfig, leak, restoreLeak, failRecoveryOnce bool
diff --git a/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon.go b/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon.go
index 894925d..0201908 100644
--- a/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon.go
+++ b/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon.go
@@ -348,6 +348,12 @@ func (a *Adapter) disable(ctx context.Context) error {
 	alreadyOriginal := metadata.OriginalExists && currentErr == nil && fingerprint(current) == fingerprint(metadata.Original)
 	alreadyAbsent := !metadata.OriginalExists && errors.Is(currentErr, fs.ErrNotExist)
 	if alreadyOriginal || alreadyAbsent {
+		// Recovery metadata proves proxyctl previously changed the effective
+		// daemon configuration. Even when the file has already been restored,
+		// complete the service effects before relinquishing that recovery record.
+		if err := a.reloadRestartInspect(ctx); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 		if err := a.files.Remove(a.configuration.RecoveryPath); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, fs.ErrNotExist) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("clean Docker daemon recovery metadata for already-restored configuration: %w", err)
 		}
diff --git a/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon_test.go b/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon_test.go
index 249c68e..596ccc8 100644
--- a/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon_test.go
+++ b/internal/dockerdaemon/dockerdaemon_test.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ type recorder struct{ events []string }
 type fakeRunner struct {
 	recorder *recorder
 	show     string
+	active   string
 	fail     map[string]error
 }
 
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ func (r *fakeRunner) Run(_ context.Context, name string, args ...string) ([]byte
 		return []byte(r.show), nil
 	}
 	if strings.Contains(command, " is-active ") {
-		return []byte("active\n"), nil
+		return []byte(r.active), nil
 	}
 	return nil, nil
 }
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ func fixture(t *testing.T) (*dockerdaemon.Adapter, *recorder, string, string, *f
 	daemonPath := filepath.Join(directory, "etc", "docker", "daemon.json")
 	recoveryPath := filepath.Join(directory, "state", "docker-daemon.json")
 	record := &recorder{}
-	runner := &fakeRunner{recorder: record, show: "LoadState=loaded\nFragmentPath=/lib/systemd/system/docker.service\n", fail: map[string]error{}}
+	runner := &fakeRunner{recorder: record, show: "LoadState=loaded\nFragmentPath=/lib/systemd/system/docker.service\n", active: "active\n", fail: map[string]error{}}
 	adapter := dockerdaemon.New(dockerdaemon.Configuration{DaemonConfigPath: daemonPath, RecoveryPath: recoveryPath, TrustedRoot: directory}, recordingFS{recorder: record}, runner)
 	return adapter, record, daemonPath, recoveryPath, runner
 }
@@ -429,9 +430,75 @@ func TestDockerDaemonDisableAndResetRejectDriftWithoutMutatingDaemonOrRecovery(t
 	}
 }
 
-func TestDockerDaemonResetCleansAlreadyRestoredRecoveryWithoutDaemonWriteOrSystemctl(t *testing.T) {
+func TestDockerDaemonResetAlreadyRestoredReloadsRestartsAndInspectsBeforeMetadataCleanup(t *testing.T) {
 	a, record, daemonPath, recoveryPath, _ := fixture(t)
 	original := []byte("{\n  \"log-level\": \"debug\",\n  \"proxies\": {\"http-proxy\": \"http://prior.example:3128\"}\n}\n")
+	prepareAlreadyRestoredDaemon(t, a, daemonPath, original)
+	record.events = nil
+
+	reset := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{Profiles: []profile.Profile{*activeProfile()}, ActiveProfile: activeProfile().Name}, []target.Target{a}, immediateLock{}, nil).Reset(context.Background(), true)
+	if reset.Err != nil || len(reset.Targets) != 1 || reset.Targets[0].Err != nil || reset.Targets[0].Inspection.State != target.External {
+		t.Fatalf("already-restored reset = %#v", reset)
+	}
+	assertSubsequence(t, record.events, []string{"systemctl daemon-reload", "systemctl restart docker.service", "systemctl is-active docker.service", "remove docker-daemon.json"})
+	if contains(record.events, "write daemon.json") {
+		t.Fatalf("already-restored reset rewrote daemon config: %#v", record.events)
+	}
+	if got, err := os.ReadFile(daemonPath); err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, original) {
+		t.Fatalf("already-restored daemon configuration changed to %q: %v", got, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(recoveryPath); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("recovery metadata remains: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDockerDaemonAlreadyRestoredPreservesMetadataAndReportsFreshDriftOnEveryServiceFailure(t *testing.T) {
+	failures := []struct {
+		name    string
+		command string
+		active  string
+	}{
+		{name: "daemon reload command", command: "systemctl daemon-reload"},
+		{name: "restart command", command: "systemctl restart docker.service"},
+		{name: "active inspection command", command: "systemctl is-active docker.service"},
+		{name: "inactive service state", active: "failed\n"},
+	}
+	for _, failure := range failures {
+		t.Run(failure.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			a, record, daemonPath, recoveryPath, runner := fixture(t)
+			original := []byte("{\n  \"log-level\": \"debug\"\n}\n")
+			prepareAlreadyRestoredDaemon(t, a, daemonPath, original)
+			metadataBefore, err := os.ReadFile(recoveryPath)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if failure.command != "" {
+				runner.fail[failure.command] = errors.New("service failure")
+			}
+			if failure.active != "" {
+				runner.active = failure.active
+			}
+			record.events = nil
+
+			reset := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{Profiles: []profile.Profile{*activeProfile()}, ActiveProfile: activeProfile().Name}, []target.Target{a}, immediateLock{}, nil).Reset(context.Background(), true)
+			if reset.Err == nil || len(reset.Targets) != 1 || reset.Targets[0].Inspection.State != target.Drifted {
+				t.Fatalf("failed already-restored reset = %#v", reset)
+			}
+			if contains(record.events, "write daemon.json") || contains(record.events, "remove docker-daemon.json") {
+				t.Fatalf("service failure mutated configuration or metadata: %#v", record.events)
+			}
+			if got, err := os.ReadFile(daemonPath); err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, original) {
+				t.Fatalf("daemon config changed to %q: %v", got, err)
+			}
+			if got, err := os.ReadFile(recoveryPath); err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, metadataBefore) {
+				t.Fatalf("metadata changed to %q: %v", got, err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func prepareAlreadyRestoredDaemon(t *testing.T, a *dockerdaemon.Adapter, daemonPath string, original []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
 	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(daemonPath), 0o700); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -444,35 +511,6 @@ func TestDockerDaemonResetCleansAlreadyRestoredRecoveryWithoutDaemonWriteOrSyste
 	if err := os.WriteFile(daemonPath, original, 0o640); err != nil {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	record.events = nil
-
-	reset := app.NewMaintenance(profile.State{Profiles: []profile.Profile{*activeProfile()}, ActiveProfile: activeProfile().Name}, []target.Target{a}, immediateLock{}, nil).Reset(context.Background(), true)
-	if reset.Err != nil || len(reset.Targets) != 1 || reset.Targets[0].Err != nil || reset.Targets[0].Inspection.State != target.External {
-		t.Fatalf("already-restored reset = %#v", reset)
-	}
-	for _, event := range record.events {
-		if event == "write daemon.json" || strings.Contains(event, "daemon-reload") || strings.Contains(event, " restart ") {
-			t.Fatalf("already-restored reset changed daemon or systemd state: %#v", record.events)
-		}
-	}
-	if !contains(record.events, "remove docker-daemon.json") {
-		t.Fatalf("already-restored reset did not clean recovery metadata: %#v", record.events)
-	}
-	if got, err := os.ReadFile(daemonPath); err != nil || !reflect.DeepEqual(got, original) {
-		t.Fatalf("already-restored daemon configuration changed to %q: %v", got, err)
-	}
-	if info, err := os.Stat(daemonPath); err != nil || info.Mode().Perm() != 0o640 {
-		t.Fatalf("already-restored daemon metadata changed: info=%v err=%v", info, err)
-	}
-	if _, err := os.Stat(recoveryPath); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
-		t.Fatalf("recovery metadata remains: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	record.events = nil
-	retry := a.SetDesired(context.Background(), false, nil)
-	if retry.Err != nil || retry.Inspection.State != target.External || len(mutationEvents(record.events)) != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("already-restored cleanup retry = %#v events=%#v", retry, record.events)
-	}
 }
 
 func TestDockerDaemonPreservesAndRestoresExistingConfiguration(t *testing.T) {