How to Use Testdisk to Recover Files on Windows?

Eleanor Reed

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

If you are searching for a way to get your lost files back, this is one of the most helpful places you have landed upon. In this article we have discussed all the possible ways through which you can get your file(s) or folder back into your computer, just you have to follow the steps that are shown right below in this article. You will learn how to use testdisk to recover files, and what are the other ways. All you have to do is follow step by step, and we will help you to get your data back. Cheers!!

Part 1: How to Use testdisk to recover files on Windows

With growing malwares and a lot of errors, losing data is a common scenario nowadays. If you are searching for a tool that can recover your data, testdisk is probably the best and widely known tool you’ve heard of. Let’s see how to use testdisk to recover files. The solution given below will work on Windows 10/8/7.

1. First thing first! Launch the TestDisk on your PC, followed by pressing the “Enter” key once it is launched.
2. Secondly, you have to select the “create” option in the menu and press the “Enter” key. Now the TestDisk will begin to scan the connected hard drives.

3. Subsequently, you will be presented the scanned hard drives on your screen. Take the help of the arrow keys and go to the disk you want to scan for your file. After you have come to the disk, press “Enter” key.

4. As you move forwards, you will be asked to choose the partition table type. You have to select “Intel” and after that, hit the “Enter” key.

5. After you have done with the above processes, you have to select “Analyze” and hit the “Enter” button. Now this will let the TestDisk start analyzing the hard drive you have selected.

6. After the analysis process is completed make sure to take the help of Quick Search to scan the drive.

7. After everything you have done successfully, you can see the list of all the lost and deleted items that you have been searching for. Now all you have to do is navigate to the folder or file you want to recover and hit the "C" key to copy the file to your computer.
8. Lastly, you have to select the destination of testdisk recovered files. To start the copying process, you have to hit the “Y” button. Once the file you wanted to recover is copied to the desired destination you wanted, you will see the message "Copy Done!" on your computer screen.

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Part 2: Other Ways to Recover Lost Files

Apart from using testdisk to recover files, there are some other ways as well. In this section, we will be sharing some of them. Please scroll down to learn!

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Step 1: Select a location

First, you need to install the software on your computer and open it. Once you will open it, you will be asked to select the destination where you have lost your data. Once you will select the location, click on the "Start" button to begin the scanning process located in the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Scan the location

After hitting the “Start” button on the screen, you can see the scanning process. All the files that have been lost so far from the location that you have chosen will begin to appear. While the process is running you can check the files and find the file you are looking for. Also, you can select the type of data you want to scan (search the location). Once you’ve got the file you were searching you can stop/start the process, preview the file, and do much more.

Step 3: Preview and recover files

Once you have found the file(s) you were looking for, you can check it by previewing it. Suppose you want to recover multiple files all you have to do is select the file(s) you want to recover and click on the blue “Recover” button. You can also select the location where you want to recover the file. It is recommended not to save the file at the location where you have previously lost it.

2. Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10 with Command Prompt

In this method, we are using the Command prompt to recover the deleted files. Here is how you can do that.

1. Type “cmd” in the Start menu.
2. Now right-click on the “cmd” and select the option saying "Run as administrator".
3. Then, type the command "chkdsk X: /f" and press the “Enter” key. Note: “X” will be removed with the name of your hard drive.
4. After that, key in the command: "ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*" and hit the “Enter” button. Again, you have to replace "X" with the letter your hard drive is named with.

That’s about it! The recovery process will begin!

Note: Please be patient while executing each process, as it may take a while to execute some steps. Do not interrupt the computer while the process is going on. If you interrupt the process, it might happen that the file will permanently be lost or would get rewritten on your computer.

3. Recover the Permanently Deleted files from an Older Backup.

If you are not comfortable with the commands, here is the other method than testdisk file recovery to get the task done. Follow the steps given below to restore your file from the backup.

1. Go to the Start menu and type “Backup” followed by pressing the Enter key on your keyboard.
2. Now select the option "Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" this is located under “Looking for an older backup?”.
3. After that, click on the option saying "Select another backup to restore files from" and pick out your backup.
4. Once you have done, all you have to follow the instructions after clicking “Next”.

4. Recover from Recycle Bin

It might be the case that you have deleted the file, and it has been gone into the recycle bin. Go to the desktop and double-click on the recycle bin icon to get into it. Check the file you are searching for and after that right click on it and select the “Restore” option. Your file will be transferred to the original location.

The Bottom Line

In this article, we have talked about how you can recover your lost file using some of the best ways you can find on the internet. The article will enrich you with the knowledge of how to use testdisk to recover files, and what are all the other ways to get your useful file back to you. At the end of this article, we have introduced some of the most asking questions by the people and how you can also get through those problems.

One of the most exciting things you will see in this article is the tool called Recoverit. This tool is insanely good for you if you are wishing to dig out your useful data.