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A deleted partition means that the files, folders are also deleted, and users cannot access them. You can use the best free data recovery software to retrieve your data, but when it comes to deleted or formatted partitions, the chances of data recovery are quite low. So how do you restore deleted partitions on Windows? Readers can refer to the article below by Mytour.
What causes partition loss?
The primary causes of partition loss are multifaceted:
1. Often, the most prevalent cause is malicious software infiltrating users' computers. As viruses become increasingly sophisticated, they may target previously overlooked areas of the operating system. A prime example is the Rombertik virus attack in 2015. Rombertik targeted the Master Boot Record (MBR), and if successful, it would overwrite partition data with blank bytes.
2. The second cause is data corruption. If the operating system or file system is corrupted, the hard drive may not function correctly, leading to inaccessible partitions.
3. The final cause could be due to hard drive management errors. You might mistakenly resize a partition, corrupting its layout, or inadvertently delete a partition without realizing it.
Restoring Deleted Partitions on Windows
If you feel confident and experienced enough, follow the steps below to restore a deleted partition on Windows:
Utilize TestDisk
You can find numerous free partition recovery tools online. However, TestDisk stands out as the optimal choice for partition restoration.
TestDisk is designed to recover lost partitions, but it can also be used to rebuild boot sectors, repair FAT file allocation tables, create NTFS boot backups, and fix partition tables.
The open-source application is available for free download. After downloading, extract the files to install.
Download TestDisk to your computer and install it here: Download TestDisk
Step 1: Launch TestDisk on your device.
Step 2: Select Create a new log file.
Step 3: Choose your hard drive from the list.
Step 4: Set the partition table type for your hard drive.
Step 5: Select Analyse.
Step 6: Choose Quick Search.
Step 7: Mark the damaged or lost partition.
Step 8: Press key A.
Step 9: Select Done.
Refer to the detailed steps in the section below.
Using TestDisk to Recover Lost Partitions
Run the file testdisk_win.exe. The application will start in a DOS window. You'll see a screen displayed as below:
Use the arrow keys to select Create a new log file and then press Enter. On the next screen, you can choose the hard drive. If you're using a personal computer, you'll see a listed hard drive, and TestDesk will also detect other external drives like CDs or USBs. Select the drive with the lost partition and press Enter.
On the third screen, mark the type of partition table your computer is using. If running the application on Windows, select Intel (although GPT can also be selected).
On the final screen, choose Analyze and press Enter. TestDisk will start scanning the drives and partitions you've selected. If the drive is too large, this process may take a few minutes.
Finally, a list will appear on the screen. If the partition you're looking for isn't listed here, select Quick Search at the bottom of the screen and press Enter. This option will search and list any corrupted or deleted partitions.
To restore a corrupted partition, select the line containing the partition in the results list and press key A. To complete the process, select Done on the final window screen.
Using TestDisk to Recover Deleted Files
Additionally, you can use TestDisk to recover files. Follow similar steps as above, until the fourth window, where you select Advanced instead of Analyze.
Choose TestDisk to complete the scanning process. Once done, a list of file names will appear on the screen. To recover a file, press key C on the keyboard.
To complete the process of recovering deleted files, select the location where you want to save the file.
Note: If encountering difficulties during the process of recovering deleted partitions on Windows, try searching for guidance on the TestDisk documentation page.
Other Software
TestDisk isn't the only application that allows for the recovery of lost partitions on Windows. In addition to TestDisk, there are many other applications available for recovering deleted partitions on Windows.
If you're seeking alternative solutions, consider using Active @ Partition Recovery and EaseUS Partition Recovery Wizard.
- Active@ Partition Recovery: This application operates in DOS, Windows, WinPE, and Linux environments. The Quick Scan feature can find recently deleted partitions, while the SuperScan function can detect much older partitions. Moreover, the application can recover data from formatted drives and overwrite partitions.
Download Active@ Partition Recovery to your computer and install it here: Download Active Partition Recovery
Refer to how to Recover Data using Active Partition Recovery here
- EaseUS Partition Recovery Wizard: Free EaseUS application works with FAT, NTFS, HFS, HFS +, HFSX, Ext2, and Ext3 partitions on the Windows operating system. The application allows you to recover deleted and lost partitions, restoring intact data. Additionally, Easeus offers a Pro version priced at $69.95, which can work with external hard drives, NAS drives, and non-personal computer storage devices.
Download EaseUS Partition Recovery Wizard to your computer and install it here: Download EaseUS Partition Recovery Wizard
Follow the instructions above from Mytour to recover deleted partitions on Windows. The sooner you recover partitions and data, the better.
There are various ways to recover data on your computer, but for difficult cases, simple software may not suffice. There are many reputable data recovery centers where you can seek help, most of which are available in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Have you ever used any of the 3 applications above to recover deleted Windows partitions on Windows? Or do you know of any other applications to recover deleted Windows partitions on Windows? Share your thoughts with Mytour.
