Icon of program: TestDisk and PhotoRec

TestDisk and PhotoRec for Windows

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Key Details of TestDisk and PhotoRec

  • Download a bundle for data and photos recovery from lost partitions and drives.
  • Last updated on
  • There have been 3 updates
  • Virus scan status:

    Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

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TestDisk and PhotoRec 0/1

Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

TestDisk and PhotoRec from CG Security are freeware utilities bundled together in one portable download. TestDisk is a simple but powerful tool for analyzing and recovering disk partitions, including some unusual selections such as Xbox and Mac partitions. PhotoRec is designed to recover lost files from your digital camera's memory or any similar memory device. It can handle most memory types, including USB, CompactFlash, MMC, and SmartMedia as well as optical disks and your hard drives. Though PhotoRec and TestDisk are bundled, they're separate utilities with separate executables.

PhotoRec is designed to be totally safe to use, and it doesn't write to the drive or memory directory you're trying to recover files from but rather saves recovered files to the directory it's stored in. Since PhotoRec is portable, that destination will be wherever you saved PhotoRec's program files. PhotoRec's user interface isn't a GUI so much as a modified Command Prompt that only allows keyboard control, but don't be put off by the stripped-down look. 

PhotoRec is easy to navigate. It walked us through every step: selecting a drive and partition, selecting Options, initiating a Search, or starting a recovery operation. We selected a thumb drive, then the partition, and then clicked Search. PhotoRec automatically searches for lost files. The program usually highlights the best option, and users simply need to press Enter. PhotoRec definitely requires a little more knowledge and skill than many tools that do similar jobs. But it found a lost file, and quickly, too.

TestDisk is very much like PhotoRec in appearance and operation, but it requires more care to use successfully, and more knowledge, too (some experience is also recommended). This tool can analyze your disks and partitions to extract information about their geometry, formatting, and file structure. It saves the data as a text file that serves as a reference when you need to recover the partition. It can do more, such as make a nonbooting disk bootable. 

But be careful! TestDisk is a capable utility -- capable of wiping all data from a partition, if you let it. Just follow TestDisk's onscreen instructions and you won't go wrong.

When comparing TestDisk and PhotoRec to other popular data recovery tools, one alternative is Recuva, a free file recovery tool known for its user-friendly interface. Unlike PhotoRec, which uses a command-line interface, Recuva offers a more intuitive graphical interface, which makes it easier for casual users. 

However, Recuva can sometimes be less effective when recovering files from certain memory types or corrupted partitions, where PhotoRec excels with its robust recovery capabilities.

Another alternative is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, a paid utility with an excellent reputation for file recovery. While EaseUS provides more features and a polished interface, it lacks the extreme versatility of TestDisk, which can recover partitions from a wide variety of systems, including Xbox and Mac partitions. In addition, TestDisk allows for greater control over partition recovery, which can be crucial when dealing with severely corrupted or non-booting drives.

Bottom Line

For users who prefer simplicity and need a fast, straightforward recovery tool, PhotoRec is an ideal solution. However, for users dealing with more complex disk repair scenarios, TestDisk offers advanced partition recovery capabilities that can be incredibly powerful when used correctly. 

Whether you need to recover lost files or restore a damaged partition, both utilities are highly recommended for their effectiveness and reliability.

What’s new in version 6.14

Latest version fixed crc in EFI backup GPT and improved display the partition table type if auto detected.

Icon of program: TestDisk and PhotoRec

TestDisk and PhotoRec for Windows

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Used TestDisk and PhotoRec for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
6.14
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows 10
  • Windows NT
Additional Requirements
None
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
262,281
Downloads Last Week
18
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Program available in other languages

Last Updated

User Reviews

4.6/5

83 User Votes

Developer’s Description

By CG Security
Download a bundle for data and photos recovery from lost partitions and drives.

TestDisk is a powerful data recovery utility. It was primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again when these symptoms are caused by faulty software, certain types of viruses or human error (such as accidentally erasing your Partition Table). PhotoRec is file data recovery software designed to recover lost pictures or lost files from digital camera memory (CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SecureDigital, SmartMedia, Microdrive, MMC, USB Memory Drives), even Hard Disks and CDRom. PhotoRec is safe to use, it will never attempt to write to the drive or memory support you are about to recover from. Recovered files are instead written in the directory from where you are running the PhotoRec program.

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