DiskWarrior for Mac

Used DiskWarrior for Mac?

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DiskWarrior Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

DiskWarrior is a robust utility designed for Mac users, focusing on disk repair and optimization. This software excels in rebuilding and repairing damaged directories, which can significantly enhance the performance and reliability of your storage devices. With a user-friendly interface, it allows users to easily navigate through its features, ensuring a smooth experience even for those with limited technical knowledge.

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In addition to directory rebuilding, DiskWarrior offers tools for monitoring disk health, detecting potential issues, and optimizing disk space. It is compatible with various Mac operating systems and supports different file systems, making it a versatile option for maintaining system integrity. The program is particularly useful for users who frequently encounter disk-related issues or those looking to prolong the lifespan of their hard drives.

DiskWarrior for Mac

Used DiskWarrior for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: October 8, 2018

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 5.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

Additional Requirements

macOS Mojave
macOS High Sierra
macOS Sierra
OS X El Capitan
OS X Yosemite
OS X Mavericks
OS X Mountain Lion

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 141,848

Downloads Last Week: 5

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.1/5

183 User Votes

Version 5 rocks
dudemanlaMarch 15, 2015
Pros
This works really great saves the day.
Cons
Very mice upgrade.
Summary
Fails to deliver the easy of 4.4 Disk
peterb-auFebruary 23, 2015
Pros
Works for all external disks etc
Cons
Won't open from Flash Drive and they can't solve problem!!!
Summary
Doesn' t live up to claims--stay clear until they correct the problems
Great, but with a new clubfoot
gbdocJanuary 19, 2015
Pros
Best in class for many years now, and v. 5's even better ... EXCEPT FOR ...
Cons
DW's best in class, and has saved my Mac life twice, when TTP couldn't. Still, TTP's pretty good, too, and their eDrive was a stroke of genius. For years, I've put DW on my eDrive, and, though not recommended by either company, it has always worked fine, so I always had everything I might need (and did, once, on the road) right on my Mac, at my fingertips. With v5, DW doesn't work off an eDrive, only from a USB flash stick, which means you now have have this extra piece of equipment handy in case you need it. :((
Summary
What DW 5 does would be worth 5 stars, but this lost functionality is a real bummer. If nothing else, they ought to make it possible to install and use their recovery disk on a separate partition, like TTP's eDrive.
Cannot rebuild Time Machine disks - Deal breaker
FixMaXOctober 12, 2014
Pros
None. See below. It is FALSE what Alsoft claims at its web site: Question. Can I rebuild the directory of a hard drive that contains a Time Machine backup? Answer. Yes, you can use DiskWarrior 4.x to rebuild the directory of a hard drive that contains a Time Machine backup. Repairs Time Machine backup disks Time Machine relies on a new directory structure called a directory hard link. DiskWarrior 4 version 4.1 and later repairs damaged directory hard links and can rescue a lost Time Machine backup. ALL THAT IS NOT TRUE. IT IS FALSE.
Cons
Cannot rebuild Time Machine disks - Deal breaker. Even with Mac Pro with 64 GB RAM.
Summary
Error - Not enough memory (Error code 2154). Culprit is NOT lack of memory at all. THAT IS FALSE. The problem is DiskWarrior 4.4 being 32-bit and NOT 64-bit. SHOCKING!!!
DW 4.4 won't rebuild directory-Mac OS failure
mister gaijinAugust 16, 2014
Pros
There is nothing good to say about a utility that fails so completely!
Cons
TechTool and Disk Utility don't fail like this. DW 4.4 WILL rebuild directory if you boot up from the DVD, but this takes a LONG time and is a pain!
Summary
GREAT PROGRAM!!! A "MUST OWN" for Mac users!!
kfcusmcJune 28, 2013
Pros
It works very well. Recommended to me by an Apple Genius several years ago. I bought it on the spot and have never regretted it. Far superior to the disk utility included in OS X.
Cons
Maybe cost, though if you need it once it will be well worth the price of admission.
Summary
Resolved a catastrophic hard drive failure that occurred when I attempted to upgrade from OS X 10.8.3 to 10.8.4. Apple genius said I needed a new hard drive for my iMac 2.93 GHz i7 (mid-2010) for $229 plus another $99 to transfer my files from the "dead drive." Optical drive also wouldn't read my Diskwarrior disk. I built a new boot drive from a spare 1TB drive and put Diskwarrior (which I already owned) on it. It rebuilt the corrupted directory on the "dead" drive and preserved all my files. I am writing this review on the iMac with the resurrected drive. This was the worst of only three drive failures I've had in 30 years of being an Apple computer owner. Diskwarrior saved my ass. Diskwarrior is the shiznit!!!! Total cost for this save was $18...the cost of a wired mouse and keyboard.
Traveling and it crashed - and good as new now
kate9November 3, 2012
Pros
Wow, I thought I was going to lose everything, 140GB of photos and files, and the computer - this seems to have fixed all the problems, and it's zippy and fast again.
Cons
Haven't seen it so far, just done today.
Summary
$99 to recover my priceless memories?? Total BARGAIN!
TheescarylarrySeptember 26, 2012
Pros
Recovered over 21,000 lost or missing files that had vanished! I had mac error code 36, which ended up being a bad directory with bad nodes and node counts etc etc....DW rebuilt it! It is easy to understand and makes life less complicated. THIS SOFTWARE KICKS A** !
Cons
PRICE...At $99 It isnt what I would initially call reasonable, however what is your data worth? It stung but when it worked, I thought it was worth its weight in gold. It may not work for every problem, so that part is a gamble. It's worth having in your arsenal though for sure!
Summary
What happened that caused me to buy Disk Warrior? Well, I have this LaCie external 500GB drive that is failing. At startup I get a message essentially telling me its going bad and to backup files. I proceed to do this but after cloning with Super Duper, I discover I am missing huge portions of the data, completely vanished on original disk, nothing on the copy either. I knew it had to be there and I tried several other recovery programs with no luck at all. Disk Warrior was able to recover 21,000 files!! I would have been crushed if I lost all my precious photos and videos from so many years of vacations and more.It even retained all the original file names!! Some other software re-names files with generic names which is SOOOO lame. want to avoid the cost of file recovery? Back up Back up Back up! Do it now do it today and do it in triplicate.Keep one local, Keep one in the cloud and Keep one at a different address! I learned the hard way....
Pricey, but possibly the most reliable Mac recovery app
targinarbAugust 8, 2012
Pros
Saved hard disks twice for me where other common recovery apps (I shall not name names : ) completely flunked out. In some cases, it retained file names from recovered data.
Cons
The price is an "ouch", but as everyone who's looked down the barrel of a gun marked "there goes 300GB of data I can't live without"...yeah. Worth every penny in that situation. Have heard less than flattering things about their customer service, but cannot comment from personal experience.
Summary
If it saves your ass even once...you'll thank it.
Repaired an ext hd electrically damaged due to a storm
FatnessOneOctober 4, 2011
Pros
Less worried since I've seen what this guy can do
Cons
None yet for about a year
Summary
repaired a damaged Macally Hi-Speed eSATA/FireWire/USB 2.0 Storage Enclosure for 3.5-Inch SATA Hard Disk G-S350SUAB2 (Silver) by Macallywith a wd caviar black internal hd Mac owner for years but fairly new to this easy to use awesome imho program. Worth every penny. I use this because it does what disk utility for Mac cant do or I don't know how to make it do. I tried to repair my startup boot disk volume out of habit because I change stuff and go online sometimes. Disk utility Could not repair after i tried to on my MacBook pro. Then I ran disk warrior and now disk utility can repair ever since.....hmmmm so i think it's like this, disk warrior=disk utility's husband that she fully depends on in the hard times, for cereal!

Developer’s Description

Maintain, repair, and recover system disk/drive data.