How to recover files and folders from an unallocated disk area?

Local disk was deleted and now there is some unallocated area instead of the disk. In Windows Disk Management window, this area is now marked as Unallocated.

Data recovery in this case is possible only with the help of third-party data recovery programs, or does Windows have built-in tools?

What do you recommend to use?

 

If the files have more than a token value...I would submit an inquiry/request to a bona fide data recovery firm.

 

If the files are nothing but files which I did not wish to even backup...I would forget about them.

 

Of course there are multiple programs which I could try to recover my data...the degree to which such may be relied upon to perform a recovery...varies with program and circumstance.

 

Louis

I have recovered files from drives that have lost their formatting, (and quick reformatted after they became RAW), using the Advanced Mode in Recuva.

We would need to know more about just what has happened. In particular is it unallocated or allocated but RAW?

In the situation that you describe I would fistly make an image backup of the whole disc in case something goes wrong or you mess up attempting recovery.

I'd then partition/quick format the unallocated space to give it a drive letter, using something like MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Once it has a drive letter I would then use Recuva's Advanced Mode to try and recover "undeleted files" from the newly quick formatted partition.

It's a process for 'advanced' computer users, but we all had to be beginers at some time.
It will take care and time, and it's not guaranteed to work, attempted recovery never is.
That's why careful people make regular backups of their files. It's much easier to restore a backup than try to recover files.

Edited by Nukecad, 26 December 2023 - 11:36 AM.

Disk Management Screenshot

 

If you’re up to it let's look at your partitions, take a picture with the Snipping Tool, and add it into your next Post.  Make sure to expand Diskpart Full Screen.

 

1. Right Click on Menu.

 

2. Click on Disk Management.

 

3. When Disk Management opens Maximize it

 

4. To take a picture: Click on Menu and Type Snipping Tool and Hit Enter as soon as you see the tool come up.

 

5. To the Right of the word New there is an Arrow that you click on and choose Full-Screen Snip.

 

6. Upper Left click File Save As, Name it and save it to your Desktop or where ever is most convenient.

 

7. Copy Paste it to your desktop to easily find it.  Then in your next post go to More Reply Options bottom right.  Click Choose File and browse to the file that you just put on your desktop.  Then click Attach This File below then Choose File Button.

 

Or, post the Snip to your next post using an Image Hosting site like imgur, tinypic, photobucket etc.  If you don't have an account use https://postimages.org/

 

8. If needed take another screenshot and using the scroll bar to show all drives connected.

I have recovered files from drives that have lost their formatting, (and quick reformatted after they became RAW), using the Advanced Mode in Recuva.

We would need to know more about just what has happened. In particular is it unallocated or allocated but RAW?

In the situation that you describe I would fistly make an image backup of the whole disc in case something goes wrong or you mess up attempting recovery.

I'd then partition/quick format the unallocated space to give it a drive letter, using something like MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Once it has a drive letter I would then use Recuva's Advanced Mode to try and recover "undeleted files" from the newly quick formatted partition.

It's a process for 'advanced' computer users, but we all had to be beginers at some time.
It will take care and time, and it's not guaranteed to work, attempted recovery never is.
That's why careful people make regular backups of their files. It's much easier to restore a backup than try to recover files.

 

It is unallocated. 

 

 

Thanks for the program advice. I will try them now.

If it's showing as unallocated then it may never have been allocated in the first place.
If it has never been allocated the files you have lost were saved somewhere else on the disc and there will be nothing in that unallocated space to be recovered.
You can still try of course but I'm just warning that the files may have been on a different part of the disc, so you may be looking in the wrong pkace.

Can you screenshot the whole of Disk Management like pcpunk asked you to do?

Edited by Nukecad, 27 December 2023 - 11:40 AM.

Local disk was deleted and now there is some unallocated area instead of the disk. 

Not the "local disk" but just one partition.

Edited by GloriaGuzman, 28 December 2023 - 02:48 AM.

Glad to hear you resolved the issue, GloriaGuzman!

FWIW; There is an article on Hetman Partition Recovery, which is shareware.

You are welcome, Thank you for sharing the solution, and Good luck!