How to Use TestDisk to Recover Partitions [And Alternatives]

1. Step 1. Create a backup location for your data.
2. Step 2. Run the "testdisk_win.exe" program.
3. Step 3. Select the first option and create a log file.
4. Step 4. Choose the hard drive with the partition you want to recover.
5. Step 5. TestDisk will quickly identify the partition types on the disk.

Losing a partition is one of the most troublesome issues for a PC user. In this article, we look at all the different ways you can restore your partition data to your computer. There are many data recovery programs available on the internet. However, not all of them are feature-rich. That said, TestDisk is a highly efficient open-source data recovery program, recommended by many netizens.

You will learn how to use TestDisk to recover partitions, as well as other available methods.

Overview: What is Partition Recovery with TestDisk?

Tools like Testdisk can recover from damaged partitions. If the partition wasn't overwritten, the file system can be read again, and the data restored. If the partition was partially erased, some data may remain intact, but other data might be corrupted.

If the disk structure is damaged and not readable, the accompanying tool Photorec can identify usable files in the binary data blocks that the disk still has, without requiring a functioning file system structure.

Thus, it is possible to perform partition recovery with TestDisk. Here, we will take a look at two methods: one with TestDisk and the other with professional data recovery software.

How to Recover Lost Partition from External Hard Drive | See the Tutorial

This article will guide you on how to recover lost partitions from an external hard drive. We provide a detailed tutorial to help you successfully restore your lost partition and data.

# Alternative Method: How to Recover a Partition with Data Recovery Software

As mentioned, third-party data recovery software is more user-friendly for those with weaker computer skills. For instance, to recover data from a lost partition on an external hard drive or PC, you can use a pro-level tool like the Data Recovery Wizard. If your device is damaged, stop writing new data to it and use a disk recovery tool as soon as possible.

- Supports data recovery from partitions on any storage media, including internal and external hard drives. - Can recover various file formats, such as videos, photos, emails, audio files, and thousands of other file types from over 2000 storage devices. - Supports all common file systems, including FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, APFS, EXT4, and more, offering a broader range than TestDisk.

You can download and install the software now, and we'll guide you through the process of recovering your data.

Step 1: Select and scan the lost partition

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard, select “Lost Partition”, and click “Scan” to search for all lost data. If there are multiple lost partitions, you can identify them by their size.

Note: Since the Windows operating system does not support Linux file systems, Ext2 or Ext3 partitions will be recognized as lost partitions without drive letters in the software. If you want to recover data from an Ext2/Ext3 partition, please follow these steps.

Step two: Screen the scan.

Since there will likely be many files, you can filter by file type, such as images, videos, documents, audio, and more. If you remember the name of the file, you can also search for it directly in the search bar in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Preview and recover data from the lost partition

Before recovery, you can preview the files to make sure that they are the data you need. Select all the files you need and then click “Recover” to restore them.

Many Windows 10/11 users have already confirmed the tool's effectiveness. Share it on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, if you found the file recovery solution helpful!

# Detailed Instructions: How to Use TestDisk to Recover Partitions

TestDisk is probably the best and most renowned tool you might have heard of. If you're confident in your technical abilities, you can try using TestDisk to recover your files. The solution below applies to Windows 11/10/8/7.

Please try using TestDisk to recover files from a deleted partition as instructed.

Step 1: First, start TestDisk and select “Create” to create a new log file.

Step 2. Next, you'll see a list of all the disks detected. Select the external hard drive where the lost partition was located and hit Enter to proceed.

Step 3: Click “Analyze” to check the current partition structure and locate the lost partition.

Step 4: Select “Quick Scan” to start the scanning process.

Step 5: After all the partitions are listed, press P to access the files. To keep the partition layout, press Enter and then Write to proceed.

Step 6: The program will prompt you to confirm that the partition table has been successfully written. Click “Yes” to confirm and then reboot your computer.

The bottom line?

This guide will teach you how to use TestDisk to recover your files, as well as your other options for recovering your important files. Your first option is to use the Data Recovery Wizard, which is a simple option that's best for most Windows users.

That said, you still need a good backup regime to avoid the hassle of data retrieval.

How to Use TestDisk to Recover Partitions? Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions about how to use TestDisk to recover your partition, refer to the following FAQ for self-help:

1. How to recover lost partition?

1. In the Windows search bar, type **CMD**. 2. Right-click on the "Command Prompt" app and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu. 3. Enter the following command, replacing "X" with the corrupted drive letter: `chkdsk X: /f /r /x`, then press "Enter".

2. Can TestDisk recover files?

You can recover data from storage devices like USB drives, hard disk drives, and even Storage Area Networks (SANs, one of the most common network storage solutions). However, before you attempt data recovery, avoid writing new data to the hard drive or storage device where the loss occurred.

How do I use TestDisk to fix a file system?

1. Start TestDisk. 2. Select the device that contains the partition. 3. Confirm the partition table type and enter the Advanced menu. 4. Choose the FAT file system. 5. Select Boot.

< strong > 4. Can TestDisk recover overwritten files?

TestDisk can recover damaged partitions. If the partition wasn't overwritten, the file system can still be read, and the files can be recovered. If the partition was partially erased, some files may be salvageable while others will be lost.