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Recover Files Using Windows 10 Disk Management – Step-by-Step Guide

2024/07/06
PC Repair

Key Notes

  • Windows 10 Disk Management does not natively support recovery functions for lost partitions or files.
  • You can recreate lost partitions but at the cost of data since formatting is necessary.
  • Using third-party recovery tools is often more effective for retrieving lost data.

Maximize Recovery Options with Windows 10 Disk Management

Exploring the capabilities of Windows 10 Disk Management for recovering lost partitions and system files.

Understanding Windows 10 Disk Management Recovery

Windows 10 Disk Management is a built-in utility designed for managing internal storage drives and removable media. However, it’s important to note that this tool does not provide recovery services for lost partitions or system files.

It features a Recovery Partition, linked to the OS installation, which remains invisible in File Explorer and lacks a drive letter. This partition is crucial for system recovery during significant failures such as BSODs and hardware issues.

Steps to Recreate a Lost Partition

Follow these steps to recreate a lost partition using Windows 10 Disk Management. Note that this will erase the contents of the lost partition during the formatting process.

Step 1: Access Disk Management

Begin by right-clicking the Windows Start Menu and selecting the Disk Management option from the Power User menu.

  1. Open the Power User menu by right-clicking the Start menu (Windows flag icon).
  2. Select Disk Management from the list.

Step 2: Identify the Unallocated Space

Once Disk Management loads, locate any sections marked as Unallocated, which indicates the space of the lost partition.

  1. Review the disks; identify sections labeled Unallocated.

Step 3: Create a New Simple Volume

Right-click on the Unallocated space and select New Simple Volume to begin the recreation process.

  1. Choose New Simple Volume from the context menu.

Step 4: Follow the Wizard Prompts

Proceed through the New Simple Volume Wizard to set up the volume.

  1. Click Next to navigate through the configuration prompts.

Step 5: Format the New Volume

You will be prompted to format the new partition. Fill in the required details and complete the formatting.

  1. Provide a volume label and choose the desired file system.

Step 6: View Your Newly Created Partition

Once the process is complete, the previously lost partition will appear in File Explorer. Remember, this partition will be empty as it has been formatted.

  1. Your new partition is now visible and ready for use, but it will not contain any previous files.

Pro Tip: Restore Lost Data

Pro Tip: It’s advisable not to save any new files in the newly created partition until you have attempted recovery of the lost files using specialized software.

System File Recovery Techniques

Windows Disk Management cannot directly recover system files. However, you can utilize Command Prompt to execute built-in recovery functions.

Conducting an SFC Scan

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights

Access the Command Prompt by searching for it in the Start Menu, then right-click and select Run as administrator.

  1. Search for Command Prompt via the Start menu and run as administrator.

Step 2: Execute the SFC Command

Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The scan will take several minutes to complete.

  1. Wait for the scan to finish, which can take from 10 minutes to an hour.

Post-scan outcomes will indicate the status of system file integrity:

  1. If no issues are found, your system files are intact.
  2. If corrupt files were repaired, the system will automatically fix them.
  3. For unresolved issues, follow up with a DISM scan.

Executing a DISM Scan

Step 1: Open CLI with Administrative Rights

Launch the Windows Command Line Interface (CLI) as an administrator as previously described.

  1. Open Command Prompt as before.

Step 2: Input the Scan Command

Run the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth to check for system image integrity.

Step 3: Restore Issue with DISM

If issues are detected, use DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair any corrupt files.

Utilizing Third-Party Applications for Recovery

For efficient recovery of lost partitions, consider using specialized recovery software like EaseUS. This tool offers a free evaluation version for basic recovery tasks.

To utilize a third-party recovery tool, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Recovery Application

Open EaseUS from your desktop or Start Menu and wait for it to initialize.

  1. Select the drive where the lost partition was located.

Step 2: Begin Search for Lost Data

Select the drive marked with a Lost Partition prompt and click the Search for Lost Data button.

  1. Let the application scan for recoverable files.

Step 3: Recover the Data

After scanning, click Go to Recover to retrieve the files.

  1. Follow prompts to save recovered data to an appropriate drive.

Summary

While Windows 10 Disk Management does not offer built-in recovery features for lost partitions or system files, you can create a new partition using the tool. However, to regain lost data, utilizing specialized third-party recovery software is recommended in conjunction with built-in commands such as SFC and DISM for system file recovery.

Conclusion

It’s essential to understand the limitations of Windows 10 Disk Management concerning recovery tasks. By leveraging a combination of built-in tools and third-party solutions, users can effectively manage their data recovery challenges. Emphasizing the need to form safe data-handling practices will help in mitigating data loss risks in the future.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can Windows 10 Disk Management restore deleted files?

No, Windows 10 Disk Management does not have the capability to recover deleted files or partitions.

How can I recover a lost partition on Windows 10?

You can attempt recovery through third-party applications such as EaseUS, or by using Windows built-in tools like SFC and DISM for system file recovery.

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