How To Recover Data From Raw Partition

Try out the most optimum ways to recover the Raw partition if you're unable to access your data stored in the Raw partition.

raw partition recovery

You might often encounter data access issues, especially if your partition shows up as a Raw partition. Therefore, to cope with such a case, you need to recover Raw Partition instantly to regain your lost data.

Part 1. Symptoms of a Partition Becoming RAW

RAW is a partition's state that lacks a valid file system (NTFS, FAT12, FAT16, or FAT32) or is unidentified by a computer's operating system. Due to the absence of a file system, the computer's operating system cannot read the data on the storage device you want to access, just like having a spreadsheet transform into a colossal mess of digits and letters. When this occurs, the operating system blocks access to the data and refuses to open the files until the problem is resolved.

You will get a variety of error messages when your partition turns RAW. For instance, if you try to open a RAW drive in Windows File Explorer, you can get one of the following symptoms:

  • You need to format the disk in drive X: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?
format disk option
  • This volume does not contain a recognized file system. Please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupted.
recognized file system absent
  • Location is not available. X:\ is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.
file directory is corrupted
  • X:\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect.
incorrect parameter

Attempting commands on the drive is likely to result in the following errors:

  • The type of the file system is RAW.
raw file system
  • Chkdsk is not available for RAW drives.
chkdsk is not available
  • Chkdsk reports the file system as RAW.
chkdsk reports disk as raw
  • Convert is not available for RAW drives.
convert unavailable for raw drives

Part 2. Reasons for a Partition Becoming RAW

The Raw partitions are always problematic, as you can't even access your important data. Several factors might involve in turning a partition into RAW. In this connection, here we have covered a few likely events that cause a partition to change to Raw. Such as:

Corrupted Partition Table

Partition tables contain the essential partition data, so if the partition table is somehow corrupted, the entire partition might become RAW.

Malware Attacks

certain viruses or Malware attacks are often considered as a contributing factor that damages the partition tables and consequently causes a partition to change to RAW.

Operating system reinstallation

If you have recently updated your operating system, this can also cause a Raw Partition. Because the previous Windows version might have FAT file format, and the updated version supports the NTFS file format. Therefore, the unsupported file format shows the partition as RAW.

File System structural damage

As the file system is considered the major cause of RAW partition, therefore, if the file system of your operating system is undergoing any structural damage, then this might also be the reason for RAW format partition.

Part 3. 3 Methods To Recover Data From Raw Partition

Many tools claim to effectively recover the data from Raw partitions, but the reliable tool selection process might be confusing. Therefore, we have presented three different yet highly effective methods to recover a Raw partition and its contents.

Method 1. Recover Data From Raw Partition Using Recoverit

Opting for a reliable data recovery tool is often considered the first & foremost option to recover files from Raw partitions. Given this context, you can come across various free & paid recovery tools. Hence, Wondershare Recoverit is one of the best recovery tools and is highly endorsed in best serving to recover Raw Partition entirely.

Recoverit - The Best RAW Partition Recovery Software

5,481,435 people have downloaded it.

Recover lost files, photos, audio, music, and emails from Raw partitions & disks effectively, safely and completely.

Supports data recovery from Raw partitions of hard drives, memory cards, flash drives, digital cameras, and camcorders.

Supports to recover data in case of sudden deletion, formatting, virus attack, lost partition, and system crash under different situations.

Preview files before you recover them and no payment is needed if the files are unrecoverable.

Recoverit is Free to try and also offers paid version to enjoy more.

Operational Steps:

Step 1: Select a location

Select your Raw partition below “Select Location” and click on the Start button.

select raw partition in recoverit

Step 2: Scanning of partition

The Recoverit will scan your selected Raw partition to dig out the lost files.

recoverit scanning process

Step 3: Preview & recover the files

  • You can preview the files once the scanning process gets completed.
  • Select the recoverable files and click on the Recover button.
recoverit data recovery

Method 2. Repair RAW Partition Using TestDisk

TestDisk is an open-source partition recovery tool that aims to restore missing partitions. Therefore, you can use it to rectify your RAW drive's partition table and restore any deleted contents. Here is a brief overview of the steps required to use TestDisk for repairing a RAW drive:

Operational Steps:

Step 1: Launch the Testdisk tool after downloading and installing it.

launch testdisk

Step 2: Select the partition table you want to search.

search partition table

Step 3: Choose the Analyze option to analyze your current partition structure.

analyzing partition structure using testdisk

Step 4: To locate missing partitions, use the Quick Search feature.

quick search for finding missing partitions

Step 5: Save the partition table or look for more partitions.

Method 3. Turn to Data Recovery Service

If you have been unsuccessful in recovering data from the Raw partition using recovery tools, you can seek assistance from expert data recovery services. Reliable in-lab recovery service providers will efficiently examine your drive and perform raw disk partition recovery. Professional data recovery services are equipped with cutting-edge technology and a plethora of knowledge, and they will successfully handle even the most challenging cases of data loss. However, in-lab services might be relatively expensive.

Part 4. How To Avoid Ending Up with a RAW Partition Again?

Although the methods stated above are efficient enough to cope with the encountered raw partition issue, you must still take certain precautionary measures to avoid ending up with a partition again. The following section highlights the essential tips you can opt for in this connection.

Eliminate Malware

To keep your storage areas safe, computer malware should be eliminated, so you should regularly scan your computer to avoid malware attacks.

Precisely format the disk

You must format a disk for the accurate & supported file system so your computer system can easily recognize it.

Create backups

Backups and additional copies of the important always prove to be highly effective as they eradicate the data loss risks.

Monitor drive health

Ensure the respective drive is in a good state, as the drive malfunctioning can also cause the Raw partition.

FAQs

If your partition is showing up as raw, that means your computer is unable to recognise this partition which might be because your partition is formatted for Mac Operating System; that's why Windows can't recognise it.

Yes, if a partition is showing up as raw, it can be fixed by implementing a suitable fixing strategy.

Yes, a raw partition can be recovered without losing data quite easily. Various partition recovery tools are capable enough to recover partitions entirely without losing data.

A raw partition can be converted to NTFS without formatting using CMD. For this:

• Run the Command prompt as Administrator".
• Type "Diskpart" and press Enter.
• Type D: /FS :NTFS and press Enter. (D will be your RAW partition's drive label or letter.)

The files recovered from a raw partition can be opened in two ways. You can either open a recovered file directly by double-clicking on it or go to the respective application and open the recovered files from the File menu option.

Conclusion

The Raw partitions make the data inaccessible and, in some cases, don't even show up. Therefore, you must recover your raw partition precisely so that the data it contains can be recovered successfully. Given this, here we've explained three ways to recover raw partitions without losing data.

Free Download

For Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11

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For macOS X 10.10 - macOS 13

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