TestDisk for Windows

TestDisk is a free and open-source data recovery program designed to restore lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again. It is capable of recovering data from a wide range of file systems and is commonly used by both IT professionals and everyday users for critical recovery tasks.

The utility works through a command-line interface and supports major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. TestDisk can analyze and fix partition tables, recover deleted or lost partitions, and repair corrupted file systems, making it a reliable and essential tool for users dealing with various disk-related data recovery issues.

Versatile, reliable partition recovery solution

TestDisk stands out for its powerful ability to recover lost partitions, including those accidentally deleted or corrupted by faulty software, hardware failure, or user error. It supports a wide variety of file systems, such as FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ext2, and HFS+, making it compatible with both older and modern disk formats. This broad compatibility allows it to handle recovery tasks across many types of storage devices and operating systems.

Another strength is its cross-platform support. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS without needing installation. However, it has no graphical user interface, which can make navigation challenging for average users. The lack of official customer support adds another layer of difficulty. While the text-based UI and companion tool PhotoRec are functional, they may not meet the expectations of users looking for a more accessible recovery experience.

While the program is powerful, it may not be the best fit for beginners due to its command-line interface, which comes with a steeper learning curve and can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with text-based tools. It also can’t recover all file types as easily as some alternatives. Tools such as Recuva, EaseUS, or Stellar offer intuitive interfaces and guided steps, making them more suitable for less experienced users.

A powerful free tool for skilled users

TestDisk is a dependable and feature-rich tool for partition and disk recovery. While its command-line interface may be intimidating for some users, especially beginners, its powerful capabilities and broad compatibility make it a valuable option in complex data recovery scenarios. Those with some technical knowledge can take full advantage of its features, successfully restoring lost partitions and files without the need to invest in expensive commercial software solutions.

• Displays disk serial numbers when selecting the source disk
• Adds support for BeFS on EFI GPT and Mac partition tables
• Introduces the ability to skip 5% of the disk during partition searches by pressing the '+' key
• Improves UTF-8 support for exFAT when iconv is unavailable
• Adds detection for APFS partitions
• Undergoes extensive verification of parser code using Frama-C WP
• Adds support for new file formats
• Introduces new translations for QPhotoRec