Test Disk Data Recovery Free Software

A Comprehensive Guide to Test Disk Data Recovery for SD Cards, Hard Disks, and Memory Cards

Data loss can be a daunting experience, whether it’s due to accidental deletion, corruption, or formatting errors. Fortunately, Test Disk, a free and powerful data recovery software, offers a reliable solution for recovering lost data from a variety of storage devices including SD cards, hard disks, and memory cards. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to utilize Test Disk for effective data recovery.

1. Introduction to Test Disk

What is Test Disk?

Test Disk is an open-source data recovery software developed by CG Security. It is designed to help recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again. Test Disk can also be used to recover deleted files from different file systems and storage devices.

Key Features of Test Disk:

Partition Recovery: Recovers lost partitions and repairs damaged partition tables.

File Recovery: Recovers deleted files from FAT, NTFS, ex FAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, and HFS+ file systems.

Boot Sector Recovery: Rebuilds and repairs boot sectors for FAT and NTFS file systems.

File System Repair: Fixes corrupted file systems and directories.

2. Preparing for Data Recovery

Download and Install Test Disk

Download Test Disk:

Visit the Test Disk official website and download the version suitable for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Install Test Disk:

On your PC, extract the downloaded archive to a handy location. Test Disk is a portable application, so it doesn’t require installation. Simply run the executable file (testdisk_win.exe for Windows).

Backup Your Current Data

Before starting the recovery process, it’s crucial to create a backup of your current data to prevent any further data loss.

3. Using Test Disk for Data Recovery

Recovering Deleted Partitions

Launch Test Disk:

Run the Test Disk executable file to open the command-line interface.

Create a New Log File:

Select “Create” to create a new log file.

Select the Disk:

Choose the disk that contains the lost partition using the arrow keys and press Enter.

Select the Partition Table Type:

Test Disk usually detects the partition table type automatically. If not, select the appropriate type.

Analyze the Disk:

Choose “Analyze” to begin the disk analysis. Test Disk will search for lost partitions.

Review and Proceed:

Review the detected partitions. If the lost partition is found, select it and choose “Proceed”.

Write the Partition Table:

If the partition looks correct, choose “Write” to restore the partition table. Restart your pc to apply the changes.

Recovering Deleted Files

1. Launch Test Disk:

Open the Test Disk application and create a new log file.

2. Select the Disk:

Choose the disk from which you want to recover deleted files.

3. Select the Partition Table Type:

Test Disk will automatically detect the partition table type. Confirm or select the correct type.

4. Advanced File Utilities:

Select “Advanced” for file utilities and choose the partition that contained the deleted files.

5. List Files:

Choose “List” to display the files and directories in the selected partition.

6. Select and Copy Files:

Navigate through the directories to find the deleted files. Select the files and directories you want to recover and press C to copy them.

7. Choose the Destination:

Ensure it’s a different drive from the source to avoid overwriting data.

4. Additional Test Disk Features

• Repairing File Systems

Launch Test Disk:

• Run Test Disk and create a new log file.

Select the Disk:

• Choose the disk containing the corrupted file system.

Select the Partition Table Type:

• Confirm the detected partition table type.

Advanced File Utilities:

• Choose “Advanced” for file utilities and select the corrupted partition.

Repair File System:

• Follow the prompts to repair the file system. Test Disk will attempt to fix any errors and restore access to your files.

Rebuilding Boot Sectors

Launch Test Disk:

• Open the Test Disk application and create a new log file.

Select the Disk:

• Choose the disk with the damaged boot sector.

Select the Partition Table Type:

• Confirm the detected partition table type.

Advanced File Utilities:

• Choose “Advanced” for file utilities and select the affected partition.

Rebuild Boot Sector:

Follow the prompts to rebuild the boot sector. Test Disk will reconstruct the boot sector, making the partition bootable again.

Test Disk is an effective free programme for recovering data! Its main purpose was to assist in recovering deleted partitions and/or restoring bootability to non-booting discs when these symptoms are brought on by defective software, such as some viruses or human mistake (such unintentionally erasing a Partition Table). Test Disk makes partition table recovery quite simple.

• Rebuild the destroyed partition and fix the partition table
• FAT32 boot sector recovery from backup
• Fix the boot sector of FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32.
• mending FAT tables
• NTFS boot sector rebuild
• From its backup, recover the NTFS boot sector.
• Using the MFT mirror, fix MFT
• Find Backup (ext2/ext3/ext4). Super Block
• Files from NTFS, ex FAT, FAT, and ext2 filesystems can be undeleted.
• Files from deleted NTFS, ex FAT, FAT, and ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions should be copied. 

Test Disk offers features for users of all skill levels. Test Disk can be used to gather comprehensive information on a non-booting drive, which can then be forwarded to a technician for additional examination, even for those with little to no experience with data recovery methods. For those who are more experienced with these processes, Test Disk can be a useful tool for carrying out onsite recovery.

Filesystem Architectures

• NTFS ( Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/7 )
• ReiserFS 3.5, 3.6 and 4
• Sun Solaris i386 disklabel
• Unix File System UFS and UFS2 (Sun/BSD/...)
• XFS, SGI's Journaled File System
• Wii WBFS
• Sun ZFS

• Linux RAID md 0.9/1.0/1.1/1.2
  • RAID 1: mirroring
  • RAID 4: striped array with parity device
  • RAID 5: distributed parity information on a striped array
    RAID 6: distributed dual redundancy information on a striped array
    
• Linux Swap (versions 1 and 2)
• LVM and LVM2, Linux Logical Volume Manager
• Mac partition map
• Novell Storage Services NSS
• NTFS ( Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/7 )

• Windows exFAT
• HFS, HFS+ and HFSX, Hierarchical File System
• JFS, IBM's Journaled File System
• Linux btrfs
• Linux ext2, ext3 and ext4
• Linux GFS2
• Linux LUKS encrypted partition

• APFS (Apple File System)
• BeFS ( BeOS )
• BSD disklabel ( FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD )
• CramFS, Compressed File System
• DOS/Windows FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32
• XBox FATX

5. Conclusion

Test Disk is a robust and versatile tool for data recovery, offering a range of functionalities to recover lost partitions, deleted files, and repair corrupted file systems. By following this comprehensive guide, you can effectively utilize Test Disk to recover your valuable data from SD cards, hard disks, and memory cards. Regular backups and careful handling of storage devices can prevent data loss and ensure your data is always protected.