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Top 8 Best Partition Recovery Software
Have you just discovered that your partition has gone missing? Don’t despair! The files stored on it are not necessarily lost to the digital abyss regardless of whether the partition has become corrupted, accidentally formatted, or misconfigured.
We’ve rolled up our sleeves and dove into the vast sea of partition recovery software to bring you a selection of the most effective tools capable of undeleting lost files and repairing a variety of different issues.
| Platform | |
| Distributed as | Freemium |
| Limitations | Recover up to 500 MB for free |
| Price range | $89...$598 |
| Platform | |
| Distributed as | Freemium |
| Limitations | Only small files can be copied |
| Price range | $69.9...$699.9 |
What Is Partition Recovery Software And Why Do You Need It?
Partition recovery software is a specialized tool designed to address the unforeseen mishaps that can happen with your hard drive’s partitions. Whether it’s accidental deletion, poorly executed reformatting, file corruption, or malware infection, partition recovery tools can help you restore your lost data.
But what does a partition recovery tool actually do? In essence, it uses sophisticated algorithms to locate lost data and partitions that, while not immediately visible, are likely still present on your hard drive
The true value of high-quality partition recovery software is that it doesn’t just focus on data recovery. It also provides functionality for repairing partition-related issues. This means that you can not only get back your lost data but also restore your system to a healthy state.
Our Method For Choosing The Best Partition Recovery Software
We approached the task of choosing the best partition recovery software with the goal of putting together a selection of the most effective programs for both Windows and Mac users—not just another run-of-the-mill ranking. Here’s an insider’s look into the criteria we valued in our quest:
- Usability
Usability was at the forefront of our priorities because we strongly prefer tools that are user-friendly and make the task of partition recovery less daunting for the user. After all, who wants to wrestle with a confusing GUI in the middle of a data crisis?
- Recovery capabilities
We looked for software that could handle various file systems, demonstrating proficiency when recovering both missing files and entire folders. We prioritized tools that could repair corrupted partition filesystems and fix errors. The ability to work seamlessly with RAID arrays, clone, backup, reconstruct or reformat file systems without losing data were significant factors in our selection process.
- Operating system compatibility
Compatibility with a variety of operating systems was another criterion we held high. We tried selecting partition recovery tools with support for at least two major platforms. Unfortunately, such tools proved to be a rare breed, and we often encountered software that was tailored specifically for one platform, thus limiting its versatility.
- Price
We evaluated the balance between the price of the software and the functions it offered, taking into account the amount of free data recovery offered. Unsurprisingly, neither the most expensive nor completely free partition repair tools with data recovery capabilities are guaranteed to offer the best value for money.
Top 8 Best Partition Recovery Tools
#Let’s see which partition recovery software tools have made the cut in our top eight list. Each of these tools has its own strengths, and we’ve taken the time to break them down for you so you can make an informed decision about the best one for your needs.
Please be aware that our rankings aim to highlight both the best tools specifically designed for particular tasks, as well as comprehensive, all-in-one solutions. A lower placement on our list doesn’t necessarily indicate that a tool is inferior, but rather reflects its unique strengths and focus areas. To get the most out of our list, we recommend paying close attention to the labels adjacent to each tool’s name.
1. Disk Drill
The best tool to recover data from lost partitions
Windows macOS
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Recover up to 500 MB for free
$89...$598
Disk Drill is our favorite lost partition recovery software tool because it gives regular home users the power to solve some of the most stress-inducing data loss situations with a few simple clicks and for a price that doesn’t make one’s wallet cry.
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Effortless partition recovery. Disk Drill is designed with regular home users in mind, making partition recovery something anyone can easily accomplish.
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Exceptional raw file format support. The software is equipped to handle a large number of raw file formats, making it one of the best partition recovery tools for photographers and videographers.
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Raw partition recovery. RAW partition recovery capabilities to retrieve partitions with no file system.
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Metadata recovery. Disk Drill does an excellent job of restoring the original structure of files and folders.
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Windows Storage Spaces. The Windows version of Disk Drill is able to recover data from Windows Storage Spaces.
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Bootable recovery drive creation. Because bootable recovery drive creation isn’t supported.
2. TestDisk
The best tool to repair corrupted partitions
Windows macOS Linux
Free All features are provided free of charge, and the software can be used, studied, and modified without restriction
None
Free
TestDisk is a powerful, free partition recovery software application designed to recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again, but its command-line nature is a significant obstacle.
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Doesn't cost anything. TestDisk is 100% free, and you can use it without any limitations, making it the best free partition recovery software.
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Open-source software. TestDisk offers transparency, allowing users to review, modify, or even contribute to its source code.
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Portable and lightweight. No installation is needed, and it’s lightweight enough to run on older hardware
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Comprehensive repair capabilities. TestDisk excels in recovering lost file systems by repairing underlying issues.
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Command-line user interface. The command-line user interface might be intimidating for users not accustomed to such interfaces, making the learning curve steeper.
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Limited file recovery performance. As good as TestDisk is at recovering partitions, its ability to retrieve permanently deleted files is much weaker.
3. DiskGenius
The best all-rounder
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Only small files can be copied
$69.9...$699.9
DiskGenius is a powerful partition recovery and disk management tool that combines a multitude of features under a professional-grade umbrella.
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Bootable recovery drive creation. DiskGenius can create a bootable drive to help you recover a system partition.
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Disk management capabilities. DiskGenius is not just a partition recovery software but also a comprehensive disk manager.
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Bad sector repair. This partition recovery tool can detect and fix bad sectors on your disk.
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Complicated UI. DiskGenius sports an interface designed for experienced users, and novices may found it daunting.
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Limited preview capabilities. The preview function could use some improvements, with limited viewing options and lack of convenience for users.
4. AOMEI Partition Assistant
The best tool for partition management in Windows
Windows
Freeware and Freemium Absolutely free for personal and home use. If you need more functions to manage your partitions and hard drives, you can upgrade PA Standard to PA Professional Edition
Basic disk management
$0...$799
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a comprehensive and user-friendly partition management tool with praise-worthy recovery capabilities that empower Windows users to solve their partition troubles.
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Easy to use. With an intuitive interface and step-by-step wizards, AOMEI Partition Assistant makes partition management and recovery easy.
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Batch partition edition. This tool allows you to queue up multiple changes and apply them all at once, saving time and making the process more efficient.
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OS migration and cloning. AOMEI Partition Assistant makes it easy to clone a partition to a different storage device, including system partitions.
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Weaker recovery capabilities. While the application does have some partition recovery capabilities, it’s focus is on partition management.
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Standard version lacks features. Many of the software’s advanced features are available only in the Professional version, which isn’t free.
5. EaseUS Partition Master
Extensive recovery and management options
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest.
Basic disk management
$19.95...$69.95
EaseUS Partition Master is a useful partition management and recovery tool from the people behind EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
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Polished user interface. EaseUS Partition Master makes complex partition tasks accessible even for inexperienced computer users.
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Preview changes. It offers a preview feature that lets you verify all the changes before you apply them, minimizing the risk of errors.
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Partition recovery. The software boasts basic partition recovery capabilities.
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Bundled adware The installer contains bundled adware, so users need to exercise caution during the installation process.
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Advertisements on exit. EaseUS displays an advertisement every time you close the program, which could be a minor annoyance for some users.
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Limited recovery capabilities. EaseUS Partition Master runs out of steam when it comes to complicated partition loss situations.
6. Active@ Partition Recovery
A great solution for specific tasks
Windows
Freeware and Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest
Basic disk management
$0...$995
Active@ Partition Recovery is a comprehensive partition recovery solution that promises to recover even those partitions that have been missing for a long time.
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SuperScan feature. Designed to detect partitions that have been deleted a long time ago.
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Can repair broken disk structures. The tool can repair your broken partition table, MBR, or GPT records.
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Supports most file systems. The list of supported file systems is very long.
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Free version is limited. While the freeware version offers a good range of features, some advanced functions are missing.
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Only a year of free updates. The available lifetime licenses come with only 1 year or free updates.
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Lack of polish. Active@ Partition Recovery isn’t a poorly designed tool, but it’s not as polished as it could be.
7. MiniTool Partition Wizard
The tool with decent capabilities
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest.
Basic disk management
$59...$699
MiniTool Partition Wizard is a well-rounded tool that offers a wide array of partition management and recovery features.
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Intuitive to use. Thanks to its modern user interface, MiniTool Partition Wizard is intuitive to use.
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Change queuing. The queuing feature allows you to plan changes to partitions and apply them when ready.
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Non-disruptive system partition expansion. MiniTool Partition Wizard has the ability to extend the system partition without necessitating a reboot.
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Teaser features. The interface displays features that are only available in the upgraded version, which can lead to confusion.
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Comes with bundleware. The tool’s attempt to install unrelated programs during setup can be inconvenient and intrusive.
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Infrequent updates. The sparse frequency of software updates may leave users wanting for new features or improved performance.
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Limited recovery performance. The included partition recovery feature lags behind dedicated recovery software.
8. DiskInternals Partition Recovery
The tool with decent capabilities
Windows
Freemium Some features are provided free of charge, but money is required to unlock the rest.
Preview only
$139.95...$219.95
Developed specifically to address issues with lost or deleted partitions, DiskInternals Partition Recovery offers an impressive range of file system support and scanning modes but the software is less than refined in terms of usability.
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Extensive file system support. DiskInternals Partition Recovery isn’t picky when it comes to file systems. Everything from FAT and NTFS to less common ones like ReFS and HFS is supported.
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Three scanning modes. Offering Fast, Full, and Reader scanning modes, this tool lets you customize the depth of your search.
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Free version available. DiskInternals allows you to preview recoverable files even in its trial version.
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Support for RAW drives. If your drive has lost its file system and turned into a RAW disk, then DiskInternals Partition Recovery can still recover lost data from it.
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UI from the Windows XP era. While the tool is robust, its user interface could use a facelift because navigating through it feels like using Windows XP.
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More expensive than competition. When compared to other partition recovery tools, it’s a bit on the steep side, making it less accessible for casual users.
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Only one year of free upgrades. Each license comes with only one year of free updates. After that, you’ll need to pay again if you want the latest features and improvements.
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At best average performance. While DiskInternals does a competent job in most cases, it doesn’t really outshine its competitors in terms of file recovery performance.
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Key Points for Successful Partition Recovery
Follow these recommendations for the best chance of performing a successful recovery and repair:
- Start with data recovery:
The initial step you should take is to prioritize data security and promptly recover data from the affected partition. This is a critical action before you venture into repairing a corrupted partition because there's a non-zero chance that your repair attempts could inadvertently cause further data loss.
- Be mindful of where your recovery tool is installed:
One crucial advice is to avoid installing your selected partition recovery software on the same disk partition that requires repair. Doing so could overwrite the lost information, which is a situation we're aiming to avoid. Preservation of data is paramount in any disk partition recovery task.
- Restore data to a different drive:
If your partition or data loss issue stems from drive corruption, avoid simply restoring the data to another partition. Instead, restore it to an entirely separate drive to reduce the risk of repeating data loss.
- Choose a reliable solution:
A lost partition can contain a lot of valuable data. Make your recovery efforts count by using reliable partition recovery software. Using inferior or untested methods risks the permanent loss of your formatted partition.
Additional Tools for Assessing Hard Drive Health
In addition to the best disk partition recovery and repair tools, it’s worth exploring some other essential tools that can provide valuable insights into your hard drive’s health. These tools can help you identify potential issues before they become significant problems, enabling you to take preventative measures and reduce the risk of data loss.
CrystalDiskInfo
CrystalDiskInfo is an open-source HDD/SSD utility for monitoring S.M.A.R.T. values, disk temperature, and other vital information. Portable and lightweight, it can be run straight from a USB stick or similar device without prior installation.
Victoria SSD/HDD
Designed primarily for hard drive repair professionals, Victoria is a compact HDD repair application used to assess performance, test, and perform minor logical repairs on IDE and SATA HDDs. The program features a robust HDD surface scanner for diagnosing faulty areas, floating defects, and interface errors.
Hard Disk Sentinel
Focused on monitoring hard disk health and temperature, Hard Disk Sentinel can test and repair HDD problems, predict failures, and prevent data loss by facilitating automatic and scheduled backups. Its primary goal is to safeguard your data by keeping a vigilant eye on your hard disk’s status.
HD Tune
HD Tune is a versatile hard disk utility with a broad range of features, including benchmarking for performance measurement, providing detailed information, checking the health status via S.M.A.R.T., scanning the surface for errors, and displaying temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are a few free bootable partition recovery tools available, and one of the noteworthy ones is DiskGenius, a reliable partition recovery tool that can help you recover lost data and manage disk partitions.
Indeed, there is. TestDisk is a prominent open-source partition recovery software that is extremely useful when it comes to recovering lost partitions and making non-booting disks bootable again.
As an open-source tool, TestDisk is technically the cheapest as it is completely free. However, if we consider value in terms of cost, features, and usability, then Disk Drill stands out. It offers a comprehensive suite of data recovery and protection tools for a reasonable price and wrapped in a highly intuitive user interface, making it an excellent value-for-money choice.
To recover a deleted partition, you need to:
- Download Disk Drill.
- Launch the software and select the disk where the partition was deleted.
- Click “Search for lost data” to scan the disk.
- Choose all missing files.
- Click “Recover” to get them back.
David Morelo is a professional content writer with a specialization in data recovery. He spends his days helping users from around the world recover from data loss and address the numerous issues associated with it.
When not writing about data recovery techniques and solutions, he enjoys tinkering with new technology, working on personal projects, exploring the world on his bike, and, above all else, spending time with his family.
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Frisco, Texas, United States
Yevgeniy Tolkunov is Hardware Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Yevgeniy has a Master's Degree in Physics, Information Technology; 15+ years of experience.