Recover data with testdisk

Fortunately, a number of tools are available to help recover lost information, and among them, TestDisk stands out as one of the most powerful and free open-source solutions for data recovery.

What is TestDisk?

TestDisk is a command-line utility developed by Christophe Grenier, aimed at recovering lost partitions and making non-booting disks bootable again. It supports numerous file systems including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ext2/3/4. and more, making it a versatile solution for users on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Key Features of TestDisk:

Recover lost partitions

Repair partition tables

Rebuild boot sectors

Fix FAT tables

Copy files from damaged partitions to another storage location

Works with a variety of file systems and platforms

Common Scenarios Where TestDisk is Useful

TestDisk is especially effective in the following cases:

Deleted Partition Recovery: If you’ve accidentally deleted a partition, TestDisk can scan the disk and restore it.

Corrupted Partition Table: In cases where a partition table becomes unreadable or corrupted, TestDisk can reconstruct it.

Accidentally Formatted Drives: When data is lost due to quick formatting, TestDisk may recover lost files and partitions.

Lost File Recovery: Although TestDisk’s primary focus is partition recovery, it also allows file extraction from damaged volumes.

Installing TestDisk

TestDisk is available for most operating systems. To get started, download the latest version from the official CGSecurity website:

Windows: Download the ZIP file, extract it, and run testdisk_win.exe.

macOS: Use Homebrew (brew install testdisk) or download a precompiled binary.

Linux: Install using package managers like apt (sudo apt install testdisk) or yum.

No installation is required for the Windows version—it’s portable and can be run directly from the folder.

How to Recover Data with TestDisk – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Launch TestDisk

Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the TestDisk folder. Start the application by running:

sudo testdisk

(or testdisk_win.exe on Windows)

Step 2: Create or Use a Log File

TestDisk prompts you to create a log file. Choose from:

Create – start a new log file

Append – continue an existing log file

No Log – skip logging (not recommended)

Step 3: Select the Disk

Use the arrow keys to choose the disk where you lost data. TestDisk lists all detected storage devices.

Step 4: Choose the Partition Table Type

TestDisk usually auto-detects the correct partition table:

Intel/PC partition (most Windows systems)

EFI GPT (modern systems using UEFI)

Mac, Sun, etc.

Step 5: Select Analysis

Choose Analyze to check the disk structure and search for lost partitions.

Step 6: Quick Search

TestDisk performs a quick scan for deleted or lost partitions. Use arrow keys to highlight a found partition and press P to list files.

Step 7: Deeper Search (if needed)

If the quick search doesn’t locate the desired partition, choose Deeper Search for a more thorough scan.

Step 8: Recover Files

Once TestDisk identifies the correct partition and lists files:

Use arrow keys to highlight files/folders

Press C to copy

Select a destination directory to save recovered files

Step 9: Write Partition Table (Optional)

If you want to restore the partition itself:

Select Write to save the partition structure to disk

Reboot the system afterward to recognize restored partitions

TestDisk Tips for Better Recovery Results

Stop Using the Affected Drive: Minimize data overwriting by stopping further usage until recovery is attempted.

Run as Administrator or with Sudo: Full access is essential for TestDisk to read and write partition data.

Use a Separate Recovery Destination: Always copy recovered files to a different drive to avoid further damage.

Try Photorec for Individual Files: If partition recovery isn’t working, use TestDisk’s companion tool, PhotoRec, for file-based recovery.

Understanding TestDisk Interface

TestDisk may feel intimidating due to its text-based interface, but it is quite logical:

Arrow Keys – Navigate

Enter – Select

Q – Quit or go back

P – List files

C – Copy selected files

A – Select all files

This interface keeps the software light, responsive, and suitable for low-level disk interactions.

Limitations of TestDisk

While TestDisk is highly effective, it does have limitations:

Not GUI-based – May be challenging for beginners

Cannot recover overwritten data

No live preview of files

Limited file recovery compared to PhotoRec

Does not support encrypted partitions unless decrypted first

Despite these, TestDisk remains a top choice for those needing deep-level recovery capabilities.

When to Use Professional Help

If TestDisk fails to locate your data or your drive has physical damage, professional data recovery services are recommended. They use advanced tools and cleanroom environments to recover data from:

Broken SSDs/HDDs

Drives with bad sectors

Firmware-level corruption

Real-World TestDisk Recovery Example

Scenario: A photographer accidentally deletes the main partition on an external hard drive.

Recovery Process:

The user runs TestDisk from a USB stick

Chooses to analyze the disk

Finds the deleted NTFS partition using Deep Search

Lists all files and copies them to a new external SSD

Avoids writing to the old disk until recovery is complete

Outcome: All critical image files are recovered without data loss.

Final Thoughts: Is TestDisk Right for You?

If you’ve lost data due to partition issues, quick formatting, or file system errors, TestDisk is one of the most effective tools available—especially considering it’s completely free. While the lack of a graphical interface may deter some users, its power, versatility, and success rate make it invaluable for both personal and professional use.