Recovering a Lost Disk Partition with TestDisk

If a partition on your hard drive was accidentally deleted or became inaccessible, TestDisk can help recover it. TestDisk is a powerful open-source tool for restoring lost partitions and repairing boot sectors.

Step 1: Install TestDisk

Download TestDisk from the official website cgsecurity.org and install it on your computer. The program is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Step 2: Launch TestDisk

Run the program as an administrator. You will see a command-line interface that will allow you to choose the necessary actions.

Step 3: Select the Disk

Upon launching TestDisk, you’ll be prompted to create a log file. Choose “Create” to generate a new log, or select “No Log” to work without one.

Next, select the disk you want to scan, then press Enter. Make sure you’ve chosen the correct disk where the lost partition was located.

Step 4: Choose the Partition Table Type

TestDisk usually detects the partition table type automatically, but if it doesn’t, you can manually select the correct type. Common types include Intel for MBR (Master Boot Record) and EFI GPT for GPT partitions on newer systems.

Step 5: Search for Lost Partitions

From the main menu, select the “Analyse” option to begin scanning. TestDisk will display existing partitions and allow you to conduct a more thorough search using “Quick Search”.

If the desired partition isn’t found, run a “Deeper Search” for a more in-depth scan.

Step 6: Restore the Partition

Once TestDisk identifies the lost partition, use the arrow keys to select it and press Enter. Choose the “Write” option to save the recovered partition. TestDisk will ask for confirmation to write the changes to the partition table — confirm this action.

Step 7: Restart and Verify

After completing the recovery, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Check that the data on the restored partition is now accessible.