I accidentally deleted the data partition on my HDD, which contained photos, videos, and work documents. Windows is installed on a separate SSD, and the HDD now appears as unallocated space. I have not written anything else to the HDD. I tried scanning it with a partition-recovery tool, and it found the old partition, but the recovery attempt failed. What should I try next without making the situation worse?
4 Answers
Once the files are recovered, set up a real backup routine. Keep at least one additional copy on a separate drive and another copy somewhere physically separate or in reliable cloud storage, so one accidental deletion or drive failure does not wipe everything out.
If the partition scan can see the old partition but cannot restore it, try a dedicated file-recovery program such as GetDataBack or Disk Drill. Run the software from the SSD or another computer, and save recovered files to a different drive with enough free space. Avoid experimenting with the original HDD if the files are especially important.
Stop using the HDD immediately. Don’t format it, create a new partition, install recovery software on it, or save recovered files back to it, because overwriting the old data can make recovery much harder. Since the drive is still unallocated and your system is on a separate SSD, that’s a relatively good starting point. Ideally, make a sector-by-sector image or clone of the HDD first, then perform recovery attempts on the copy.
A reputable data-recovery specialist is the safest option when the files are irreplaceable. Ask for a written price estimate and confirmation that there are no extra charges before authorizing the work. A normal computer repair shop may not have the equipment or experience needed for difficult recovery cases.
GetDataBack worked for someone who had accidentally cleaned the wrong drive with DiskPart, so it may be worth trying, but the recovered files still need to go to another disk.