How to Recover Partitions Deleted From Hard Drive or SSD?

Looking for a way to recover information from a formatted hard disk, external drive, pen-drive or memory card? Accidentally formatted or repartitioned the disk? Can’t access the disk with a system error or receiving the “This disk must be formatted” message? To get started, download and install the program.

Step 1:

Select a Drive for Data Recovery

If everything is all right with the hard drive and you simply deleted some files, select the corresponding drive letter to begin. If, however, you are dealing with a formatted or inaccessible disk, or if you’re recovering the entire partition, pick the corresponding physical device or use the “Disk Search” function.

Choosing the Disk

Virtual Drive Images

Virtual drive images are indispensable when you want the safest recovery experience possible. By creating a virtual disk image, you’ll be capturing the content of the entire disk or partition in a single “read” operation, avoiding excessive movements of disk heads and minimizing potential risks of further data loss. By recovering data from a copy of actual information, you’ll be working in the safest conditions possible.

Creating a Drive Image

To create a virtual drive image, use the ToolsCreate Virtual Drive command from the main menu. You can capture the content of the entire storage media or use expert options, specifying initial offset and volume size. In addition, you can choose the compression option to compress the content of the disk being acquired on-the-fly. Specify the complete path to the image being created, and click “Create”.

Using a Drive Image

In order to use the drive image to recover data, use the ToolsMount Disk command from the main menu and select the image file. The tool will automatically add the image to the list of devices available for recovery. You can now choose this disk for analysis and discovery of deleted information. Note that you can easily use the image to recover information on a different computer than the one it was captured on.

Virtual Drive Images

Searching for Deleted Partitions

In cases of repartitioned, corrupted and inaccessible storage devices, you may want to discover available volumes (partitions) first before performing the actual recovery. This approach saves considerable time, and generally returns much better results by analyzing the file system(s) being discovered in addition to low-level content.

To start partition lookup, select a physical device in the folder tree and use the ToolsFind Partitions command in the main menu. If you know which file system(s) were used on the device, you can specify the file system, as well as the volume’s approximate location on the device. The recommended configuration, however, is automated search for all supported file systems.

By default, the system performs a quick scan for available partitions. If the quick scan does not discover the particular volume, or if no partitions are found, you can perform comprehensive analysis to discover more volumes. All discovered partitions are added into the folder tree, and become available for further analysis and recovery.

Searching for Deleted Partitions

Restore data of a virtual hard disk (the hard disk of a virtual machine)

To restore data from a virtual hard disk (the hard disk of a virtual machine), select «Tools»«Mount Disk» and specify the full path to the disk file.

The utility will add the virtual disk to the folder tree, and this will create the new list entitled «Mounted Disks». You’ll be able to select it for analysis and search for deleted files.

Recover data from there just like from any other media (an external or internal HDD, flash drive or memory card).

Restore data of a virtual hard disk (the hard disk of a virtual machine)
Step 2:

Choose a Disk Analysis Method

The tool comes equipped with two analysis modes. They differ substantially, so it’s worth knowing their strengths and weaknesses before settling on any one in particular.

Quick or Intelligent Analysis?

Quick Scan

In “Quick Scan” mode, the tool will complete the analysis in a matter of seconds. In this mode, you can quickly recover deleted files such as those deleted with Shift + Delete or removed from the Recycle Bin just recently. The “Quick Scan” mode is so fast that it’s always worth a shot before resorting to the big guns: even if the particular file is not found in this mode, the analysis is so fast you’ll be barely noticing. The “Quick Scan” mode only deals with records in the file system and does not touch the actual disk surface, which makes this mode blazing fast but less than perfectly comprehensive.

Full analysis

Full analysis employs highly intelligent content-aware algorithms allowing recovering information no matter why, when or how it was lost. You pay for this intelligence with reduced analysis speed: this mode can be painfully slow, especially on larger disks. However, if you simply must get that data back, there is nothing in this universe that can do a better job. The Full analysis allows recovering data from formatted disks, repartitioned hard drives, unreadable and inaccessible storage media (if it still works on a physical level, that is). The Full analysis mode engages all available data recovery algorithms.

Save analysis data

If you are recovering data from a high-capacity disk and you don’t have an opportunity to complete data recovery now, then you can use the option «Save Analysis Information».

To save the information on disk analysis, go to the menu File / Save Analysis Information, and save the file containing the analysis data (*.dai).

To load the previously saved information on disk analysis, go to the menu File / Load Analysis Information, and load the file containing the analysis data. After that, save the data recovered from the hard disk.

File / Save Analysis Information
Step 3:

Wait For The File Recovery Process To Complete

At this point, the tool is already searching for recoverable files. You can sit back and relax. The tool will display estimated completion time, and list the number of discovered disks, files and folders. Wait until the analysis is complete and click “Done”.

Recovering the Files

Analysis process

After completing the analysis, the tool will display every file and folder discovered on the disk. The files will be displayed in their corresponding folders; if you know the original path to a particular deleted file, you can find it right there. Deleted files will be marked with a red “X”.

The tool can display the files in one of the many views: list or table view, tiles, large or small icons. You can easily sort files by their name, size, creation date etc.

After the analysis completes, you’ll be able to search through the files by the name, size, create or modify dates.

“$Lost and Found” и “$Content-Aware Analysis”

The “$Lost and Found” folder contains files and folders that can’t be properly located in the original folder structure. If you’re not seeing a file where it should have been, make sure to check this special folder – the file may just be sitting there, waiting to be recovered.

Content-aware analysis enables the tool to analyze the entire disk surface and not just the file system. Files discovered with content-aware analysis will be placed to the “$ Content-Aware Analysis” folder. Content-aware analysis accesses the disk in low level, matching information it reads off the disk against a comprehensive database of known file formats. To give an example, all PSD files begin with an «8B PS» signature, which makes it possible to locate them even if the file system lacks any record of these files.

List of files

Files and folders available for recovery are displayed in a window that looks extremely similar to Windows Explorer. You can browse to a particular deleted file or folder by navigating in the usual manner. You can choose to restore everything found or just recover certain files or folders.

Pre-Recovery Preview

The trick with pre-recovery preview is not just the ability to view what’s inside of a particular file or document. The tool can display the content of more than 200 formats including pictures, archives, documents, spreadsheets, and even audio and video files without loading any third-party applications. Besides, what you see during the pre-recovery preview is exactly what you’ll get after the recovery. If you can view a file and it looks all right, then it’s guaranteed to be recovered in the same state when you register the product!

Selecting Files to Recover

If you want to save files from a certain folder, simply navigate to that folder as if you were using Windows Explorer. Select those files you’re about to recover and launch the FileRecover command from the main menu.

When recovering files from multiple folders, drag and drop them into the “Recovery Bin” at the bottom-right part of the window. When you’re finished selecting files, click the “Recover” button located in the same corner.

Step 4:

Save Data Recovered From The Hard Drive

Hetman Partition Recovery allows choosing the most convenient option to store information being recovered. Remember, you can not save data being recovered onto the same disk holding deleted files! You may choose another drive letter or a different device, use a USB flash drive, burn a CD or DVD, or create an ISO image. Sometimes the amount of information is just too huge for those types of media, so there are options for using a remote network location or uploading the files onto an FTP server.

Saving Data

Recovering To a Hard Drive

This is the fastest and easiest way. To save recoverable data onto a disk, make sure to select a different drive letter or a separate physical device. Select a location on that disk to store the files to, and specify whether you’d like to restore the original folder structure by checking the corresponding option. If you choose a network location such as a mapped network drive, the files will be automatically uploaded onto the network server.

Note that the tool will automatically keep NTFS Alternate Data Streams and substitute any lost characters in the file names (FAT-specific).

Recovering To a Hard Drive

Creating an ISO Image

When recovering information, you can opt to create a set of burnable disk images in the ISO format. If you’d like to recover data into an ISO image, choose this option, specify the path to the image file, set volume label and specify the file system. As in all other cases, you’ll have the options for substituting lost characters in the files’ names and keeping the original folder structure.

At this point, the tool allows previewing files and folders selected for recovery one more time. You can now rename files if needed. Click “Create” to finalize the process.

Creating an ISO Image

Uploading Files onto an FTP Server

FTP upload comes handy when you have more data to recover than any locally available storage can fit, or if you’re performing a data recovery job for a remote client. You can configure the tool to automatically upload recoverable information onto a remote server over the FTP protocol. You can set an option to automatically restore the original folder structure or simply upload all files into a single folder.

In order to begin FTP upload, specify the correct server name and FTP port number, login and password, then select the remote location to store recoverable data. There is an option for storing the password, enabling automatic login the next time you use this feature.

Uploading Files onto an FTP Server

Quick Start

Want to get your files back as soon as possible? Our tools are extremely easy to use. The “Data Recovery Wizard” will guide you through the whole process one step after another, allowing you to recover missing information in just a few minutes. Get yourself comfortable with the tool’s interface by watching the video.

Questions and answers

  • 📀 Does the program recover data after reinstalling Windows or resetting the computer to its initial state?

    This utility is designed to recover data from deleted partitions and repartitioned disks. Follow these steps:

    1. Abort the Windows installation or reset operation.
    2. Connect the drive to another computer if you cannot boot the operating system.
    3. Use Full Analysis for the entire physical device to restore data from previously deleted partitions.
  • 🖥️ Can I access files on a VMware, Hyper-V, VirtualBox virtual hard disk?

    To connect disks with the extension like * .vmdk, * .vhdx, * .vdi, use the menu Tools - Mount disk.

    After connecting, you can select this disk in the program for analysis and data recovery.

  • 💽 My computer does not display a hard drive or an external USB drive. How can I copy files?

    The program can analyze a failed device that is not showing up in Windows Explorer.

    The list of physical devices is under the list of logical partitions. Select your drive and wait for the analysis to complete.

  • ⌛ If I pay for the program now, how long will it take before I receive my registration data?

    It depends on the payment method you use. If you order online with your credit card or PayPal, you will receive the registration key immediately after payment.

  • What are the requirements for successful data recovery?

    For successful recovery, you must stop using the storage device until the necessary files are fully restored.

    If it is an external drive, memory card or flash drive, then connect it to the PC and analyze them using our program.

    If the data is deleted as a result of formatting the system disk, resetting the operating system or reinstalling Windows, then stop further installation of the operating system and programs. Connect the drive to another computer and perform recovery operations.

    Recovered files must be saved to a different drive.

  • ⏱️ How long does it take to recover my data?

    Data recovery can take a long time if you work with a disk larger than 1 terabyte. Faulty drives can also be scanned for a long time. However, in most cases, recovery takes less than 30 minutes.

User reviews

Read user reviews of Hetman Software programs or share your experiences. Your review will be published after being moderated. We value your opinion! Total reviews: 34. Average ratings: 4.79.

Adrian H
Adrian H
This product saved the day, when all other (so called \\\"Top Rated\\\") products failed me miserably. I was able to *easily* recover over 50gb of data I accidentally deleted off one of my VeraCrypt encrypted drives. Other products simply failed to recognize the existence of the Mounted encrypted partition, or if they could see it, could not read anything from it Hetman Partition Recovery saw *all* of my deleted files immediately with no fuss or muss. I purchased the registration code and was able to recover all files completely. This product is the real deal and proof is in the pudding. It got the job done when others could not. Thanks!
13.09.2023
Larry
Larry
I had a complicated problem: a Linux LVM on an M.2 drive used to store virtual machine VDI files. I accidentally deleted a critical VDI file. Fortunately, I had a Window 10 VM with the VDI file on my regular Linux file system. I put the M.2 drive on a USB-to-M.2 dongle, ran Partition Recovery in the VM. It easily fond the missing file and copied it through a shared folder to Linux. So far the recovered file is fine. Could not be more pleased. I don\\\'t give 5* reviews very often. This one is well earned.
13.09.2023
James Adam
James Adam
Such a great article, mentioning some really good tricks. But if none of these work and you want to avoid this hassle as well, i guess its better to buy refurbished external hard drives. At least this is what I do.
28.10.2021
MJ Lachowski
MJ Lachowski
Wow! I recovered all my lost files!
8.07.2020
Manoel Coelho
Manoel Coelho
Software Excepcional. Recuperei totalmente um disco de 2TB formatado acidentalmente, todos os arquivos e estrutura de pastas foram mantidos. Excelente, vale cada centavo.
29.04.2020
JOHN
JOHN
THANKYOU
3.04.2020

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