What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
TestDisk can recover files when a disk is readable and the main problem is logical damage—for example, a deleted partition, damaged partition table, corrupted boot sector, or supported file-system error. It is not a cure for clicking, electrically damaged, or disappearing hardware. Do not format, initialize, repartition, or save anything to the affected disk. Copy recovered files to a different physical disk. If the drive is unstable, create an image with GNU ddrescue first and run TestDisk on that image or clone.
TestDisk supports recovery work involving FAT12/16/32, exFAT, NTFS, ext2/3/4 and other file systems; its documented capabilities include lost-partition searches, boot-sector work, and undelete operations. See the official TestDisk documentation.
First decide whether this is logical or physical damage
A disk missing from File Explorer or Finder is not necessarily dead. It may have a missing partition, an unmounted volume, encryption, a damaged file system, an enclosure problem, or hardware failure. The safest first action depends on the symptom.
| Symptom | Likely category | Recommended first move |
|---|---|---|
| Files were accidentally deleted | Logical deletion | Stop using the disk and try TestDisk’s undelete workflow. |
| A partition disappeared | Lost or damaged partition table | Use Analyse and search for the partition. |
| The disk appears as RAW | File-system or partition damage | Do not format it; image first if unstable, then inspect with TestDisk. |
| The disk appears unallocated | Missing partition metadata | Use TestDisk’s partition search; do not create a new partition. |
| The disk is visible but folders will not open | File-system corruption | Try listing files and copy them to another disk. |
| The drive clicks, grinds, disconnects, resets, or becomes extremely slow | Possible physical failure | Stop scanning the original; image it carefully or consult a recovery laboratory. |
| The volume is encrypted | Locked data | Unlock BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS, or the applicable container with its credentials or recovery key. |
| Files have random names or wrong contents | Missing metadata or damaged/fragmented data | Try another reconstructed volume, then PhotoRec or specialist software. |
“Inaccessible to the operating system” means the device can still return sectors even though the volume will not mount. “Not readable at the hardware level” means reads fail, the device vanishes, or it cannot reliably return data. TestDisk is suited mainly to the first category.
#1 Best Overall
- SATA DRIVES ONLY — 2.5in & 3.5in: Works with SATA I/II/III hard drives and SSDs. Does NOT support IDE/PATA, M.2 NVMe, M.2 SATA, SAS, or drives already in a USB enclosure. Check your drive's connector before ordering — a bare SATA drive has a wide flat L-shaped edge connector, not a ribbon cable or a small M.2 gold-finger card.
- USB TYPE-A HOST CABLE — NOT A USB-C PORT: The included host cable ends in USB Type-A and plugs into a USB 3.0 Type-A port. If your computer has only USB-C ports, you will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter, which is not included. For stable operation plug directly into the computer — USB hubs and USB 2.0 ports may cause intermittent disconnections.
- REAL-WORLD SPEED, NOT INTERFACE MATH: USB 3.0 with UASP support (UASP-capable host required). Typical mechanical HDD transfer speeds are 100-160 MB/s, which is the drive's own limit, not the port's; SSD speeds vary up to the USB interface maximum. Backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1.
- 12V POWER ADAPTER INCLUDED — REQUIRED FOR 3.5in DRIVES: A 12V/2A AC power adapter is in the box and a wall outlet is needed. 3.5in HDDs cannot run on USB power alone — without the adapter the drive will fail to spin up or drop out during use. 2.5in drives are generally bus-powered, but the adapter is recommended for stability.
- PLUG AND PLAY, TOOL-FREE, HOT-SWAP: No drivers on Windows 10/11, macOS, or Linux. Lay-flat bay accepts a bare drive without tools, swaps without rebooting, and an LED shows power and activity. Note: S.M.A.R.T. diagnostics are not passed through the USB bridge, and on macOS a drive may need remounting after sleep. Drive not included.
Protect the source before starting
- Do not format, initialize, repartition, or run repair utilities on the source disk.
- Do not install or extract TestDisk onto that disk.
- Never save recovered files back to the source.
- Prepare a separate destination disk with enough free space; a separate physical device is preferable.
- Disconnect unrelated external drives so the correct disk is easier to identify.
- If the data is irreplaceable, stop before experimenting and obtain professional advice.
- Keep the source read-only whenever your hardware and operating system allow it.
TestDisk’s undelete documentation warns that continued use can overwrite deleted data and recommends copying files to another medium.
Choose the right tool
| Need | Best first choice |
|---|---|
| Lost partition or damaged partition table | TestDisk |
| Browse an existing directory tree and retain names | TestDisk, if file-system metadata survives |
| Deleted files on FAT12/16/32, exFAT, NTFS, or ext2 | TestDisk undelete |
| Severely corrupted or reformatted file system | PhotoRec |
| Read errors, unstable sectors, or a disappearing drive | GNU ddrescue first, then TestDisk or PhotoRec on the image |
| RAID, NAS, Storage Spaces, LVM, virtual disks, or broad advanced support | A specialist or commercial recovery application |
TestDisk reconstructs partitions and file-system structures. PhotoRec is a signature-based carver: it can recover recognizable file contents when directory metadata is destroyed, but normally cannot restore original filenames or folders. Its documentation is at PhotoRec documentation. GNU ddrescue creates a resumable image or clone; it does not replace TestDisk’s browsing and copying functions.
How to recover files with TestDisk from a readable disk
1. Connect and identify the source
Attach the affected drive as a secondary device, not as the recovery destination. Unlock encryption first if possible. Check capacity, manufacturer/model, connection type, and the expected partition layout. On Windows, TestDisk generally needs administrator privileges. On macOS, Terminal or TestDisk may need Full Disk Access when a device does not appear. See TestDisk’s running instructions.
2. Download and launch the official program
Use the CGSecurity project site, its documentation, or the official source repository. On Windows run testdisk_win.exe, preferably as administrator. On Linux or macOS start testdisk in a terminal, using sudo only when device permissions require it. Do not place the program on the damaged disk.
3. Create a log
TestDisk offers to create a session log. Keeping it can help document choices and errors; it is not recovered data. Store it on healthy media when possible.
Rank #2
- Tool free design, easy to install,Transfer Rates Up to 480 Mbps when connected to a USB 2.0 port,Transfer Rates Up to 5 Gbps when connected to a USB 3.0 port.
- Suitable for 2.5” SATA/SSD;Supports Standard Notebook 2.5″ SATA and SATA II Hard drives
- Optimized for SSD, Supports UASP SATA III,Backwards-Compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1
- Hot-swappable, plug and play, no drivers needed
- Operating System:Supported Operating Systems:Mac,Windows;Supported Windows Versions :Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP; Supported Mac Versions: Mac OS X and Higher
4. Select the physical disk
Choose the device whose capacity and model match the source. Do not select a similarly sized destination disk. If in doubt, stop and verify the device identity in the operating system before proceeding.
5. Select the partition-table type
Accept TestDisk’s detected recommendation when it matches the original layout. Modern systems commonly use EFI GPT; older systems commonly use Intel/PC (MBR). Other formats exist for specialized or older media. GPT and Intel/PC are not interchangeable defaults.
6. Run Analyse
Choose Analyse to inspect the current partition structure. Start with the quick search for missing or deleted partitions. If the expected partition is absent, run the deeper search. Menu wording can vary slightly by build and operating system.
Recommended Free Tools
7. Verify a candidate without writing changes
Highlight a candidate partition and use the file-list command shown at the bottom of the screen (commonly P). Look for recognizable folders, filenames, sizes, and dates. Browsing the expected data is the key validation step. A partition appearing in search results is not proof that it is safe to write.
8. Copy files to another disk
Inside the listing, select the needed files or directories using the controls displayed by TestDisk. The copy command is commonly uppercase C. Navigate to a directory on a different physical disk, confirm the destination, and start the copy. Recover irreplaceable files first if the source is slow or unstable. Never choose the damaged disk as the destination.
Rank #3
- 5 Gbps High-speed Transfer: CLAVOOP 3.5 hard drive enclosure supports UASP protocol for faster data transfer over USB 3.0, with tested read speeds up to 336 MB/s. Actual performance may vary depending on your device's capabilities
- Latest Design: Lay-Flat dock station 3.5 external hdd enclosure made from sturdy ABS material with a unique circular top, large ventilation holes, and four non-slip pads to ensure stable and cool operation
- Humanized Design: 3.5 hdd enclosure case built-in shock-proof sponges protect your drive; LED indicators show the 3.5 external hard drive enclosure working status; Auto-sleep function helps save energy—wake the drive with the power button; Plug and play, no tools or drivers required
- Wide Compatibility: HDD Enclosure 3.5 works with 3.5"/2.5" SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs up to 20TB to a PC, laptop, and other devices. Compatible with Windows 9/8/SE/ME/2000/XP, Mac OS 8.6 or latest version, Linux, ChromeOS, and gaming consoles like PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and more. (Note: Not compatible with IDE, mSATA, M.2 drives; System compatible hard disk format details see figure)
- Packing List: USB 3.0 to 3.5 sata hard drive enclosure x1 (include 12V/2A DC power adapter x1, USB 3.0 data cable x1, User manual x1); Please confirm your hard drive type before purchasing
9. Validate what was copied
- Open representative documents, photographs, videos, archives, and project files.
- Compare sizes with known expectations.
- Test archive integrity and play videos beyond their opening seconds.
- Check documents for repair warnings.
- Make a second backup after validation.
A copied filename does not guarantee an intact file. Unreadable sectors, overwritten clusters, fragmentation, encryption, and file-system corruption can leave partial or unusable content.
Recover deleted files on a supported file system
- Stop writing to the source immediately.
- Start TestDisk, select the physical disk, and choose the correct partition-table type.
- Select the relevant partition and enter the file-system-specific undelete function.
- Browse the deleted-file listing and select the files you need.
- Copy them to another disk and validate them.
The documented undelete workflow covers FAT12/16/32, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2. Deleted data may already have been overwritten. SSD TRIM can discard deleted blocks, and fragmented files may not reconstruct correctly. Success depends on the file system, subsequent use, physical condition, and whether the sectors remain readable.
When PhotoRec is the better choice
Use PhotoRec when TestDisk cannot reconstruct a usable file system, the volume was reformatted, directory metadata is severely corrupted, or you need file contents rather than the original organization. PhotoRec searches for known file signatures, so expect generic names, many results, false positives, and fragments. Select only the file types you need to reduce scanning time and unwanted output, recover to another disk, then organize and rename the results. A familiar extension does not prove that a file is valid.
On macOS, the official documentation notes that raw devices such as /dev/rdisk* can transfer faster than /dev/disk*; Full Disk Access may be required when devices are missing. See the TestDisk PDF documentation.
Image or clone an unstable disk first with GNU ddrescue
Image before scanning when the disk reports read errors, disconnects, is unusually slow, makes abnormal sounds, shows SMART warnings, or contains data valuable enough to preserve the original. GNU ddrescue copies readable areas first, records progress in a mapfile, and can resume after interruption. Its manual is at gnu.org/software/ddrescue/manual/ddrescue_manual.html.
Rank #4
- Feature - BENFEI Type-C/Type-A 2.5 inch Hard Drive Enclosure easily hook up your 2.5 inch SATA I/II/III hard drive to transfer files from one PC to another PC, laptop, PS4 or as a USB external hard drive.
- Speed - Up to 5 Gbps data transfer rate with supports UASP SATA III transmission protocol, which is 70% faster than traditional USB3.0. Backward compatible with USB 2.0 or 1.1 ports.
- Design - With USB Type-C/Type-A plug design, provide a easy connection option to laptop/phone/pad. Tool free installation, Plug & Play, No driver needed for this SATA enclosure. Just push out the cover, plug in the drive, close the cover and go. Hot-Swappable.
- Compatibility - BENFEI Hard Drive Enclosure supports Windows, LINUX, MacOS 8.0, and above. Specifically designed for 7/9.5mm thick, 2.5 inches, 6TB HDD & SSD. Compatible with Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, Samsung, Kingston, Crucial, Hitachi, and more.
- Warranty - Exclusive BENFEI Unconditional 18-month Warranty ensures long-time protection of your purchase; Friendly and easy-to-reach customer service to solve your problems timely.
- Stop using the source and attach a destination disk at least as large as the source, or provide a sufficiently large image file.
- Identify source and destination device names with certainty. Device names such as
/dev/sdaand/dev/sdbdiffer by machine. - Store the mapfile on healthy media.
- Run ddrescue, for example:
ddrescue -f -r3 /dev/sda /dev/sdb mapfile - Repeat targeted passes only when necessary.
- Open the resulting clone or image in TestDisk and recover files to a third disk.
Never copy that command blindly. Reversing the input and output can overwrite the wrong disk. TestDisk and PhotoRec can work with raw disk images and certain forensic image formats, allowing recovery without repeatedly loading the failing original.
The Tool Desk
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- Recover data that has been overwritten or discarded by storage hardware.
- Repair damaged heads, platters, controllers, or flash memory.
- Guarantee recovery from a drive that is not detected.
- Restore files whose sectors are unreadable.
- Reconstruct every severely damaged file system.
- Preserve names and folders when only raw signatures remain.
- Make a failing drive safe to keep using.
A Write option can modify a partition table or boot structure; it does not make that action risk-free. Only consider such a change after browsing the expected files and, ideally, preserving an image or backup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Encryption, flash media, and complex storage
BitLocker, FileVault, and LUKS
Encryption is not a file-system failure. TestDisk cannot bypass missing keys. Unlock the volume with the correct password, recovery key, or operating-system mechanism first. The TestDisk documentation notes that a BitLocker-protected file system must be unlocked before it can be used normally; see the official PDF.
SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives
Logical recovery principles apply to flash media, but controllers can fail suddenly and SSD TRIM makes deleted-file recovery less predictable. If a card or flash drive is intermittent, image it first where possible.
RAID, NAS, Storage Spaces, LVM, and virtual disks
Preserve member order, metadata, and configuration. Recovering an underlying member or image may be safer than scanning a assembled volume incorrectly. These cases often need specialist software or a professional service.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
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- SATA-Only Compatibility: Fits 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDDs and SSDs. NOT compatible with SAS, M.2 NVMe, M.2 SATA, NVMe PCIe, or IDE/PATA drives. Note: some 4TB+ 3.5" drives with non-standard PCB height may not seat correctly — verify your drive's physical dimensions before purchasing.
- Tool-Free Setup: Slide, click, and go—no tools or screws needed. Swap drives in seconds without hassle.
- USB 3.0 (USB-A) with UASP: USB Type-A host connection — a USB-C to USB-A adapter is required if your computer only has USB-C ports (not included). Transfer speeds up to 625 MB/s theoretical maximum; typical real-world speeds are 100–180 MB/s for HDDs and up to 400–500 MB/s for SSDs.
- External Power Required: Includes 12V/2A AC power adapter — a wall outlet is needed (not bus-powered via USB). Aluminum shell with internal ABS shock-absorbing tray for durability and heat dissipation.
- Plug & Play — Windows 10/11, macOS & Linux: No drivers needed. LED indicates power and activity status. Note: S.M.A.R.T. diagnostics are not accessible through the USB bridge. Hard drive not included.
If TestDisk fails
No partition is found
- Verify the physical disk and partition-table type.
- Run the deeper search.
- Try the image rather than the live source.
- Use PhotoRec if the file system cannot be reconstructed.
- Consider specialist software when directory metadata matters.
- Stop and use a professional lab if physical symptoms are present.
A partition is found but its file list is empty
The candidate may be wrong, the file-system interpretation may be incorrect, metadata may be severely damaged, the volume may be encrypted, or the data may be overwritten. Do not write the candidate merely because it was found.
Copied files will not open
Possible causes include bad sectors, incomplete imaging, fragmentation, overwritten data, an incorrect volume reconstruction, or file-specific corruption. Try another candidate volume, recover from the best image, or use PhotoRec or specialist software.
Recovery is extremely slow
Repeatedly restarting a failing drive can increase stress. Recover high-value files first, then consider stopping and imaging with ddrescue. Avoid unnecessary repeated scans; additional device load is undesirable when bad sectors are present, as discussed in DMDE’s recovery guidance.
The drive is not detected
Limit checks to a different cable, port, power supply, enclosure/adapter, or computer. Do not open a hard-drive enclosure or expose platters outside a suitable clean-room environment. Clicking, burnt smells, spin-downs, and repeated resets justify professional recovery rather than continued DIY scans.
When a commercial tool or recovery laboratory makes sense
| Option | Useful when | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| R-Studio | You need a graphical environment, broader file-system support, imaging, network recovery, or applicable RAID features. | The official page displayed a starting signal of “from $49.99” on August 18, 2026; platform, edition, region, and license terms vary. |
| DMDE | You are technically comfortable with reconstruction, imaging, and detailed controls. | The Free Edition allows one recovery operation of up to 4,000 files from the active panel; paid editions remove that limit. A current universal consumer price is not stated here. |
| GNU ddrescue | You need a resumable image or clone from media with read errors. | Free and open source, but unsafe if source and destination devices are misidentified. |
| Professional recovery laboratory | Clicking/grinding, no detection, burnt electronics, severe physical damage, or irreplaceable data. | There is no responsible universal price or success guarantee; cost depends on device, damage, encryption, capacity, urgency, and required parts or clean-room work. |
Choose paid software only after stopping writes and assessing the hardware. It is an alternative when TestDisk cannot reconstruct the directory structure, when advanced RAID/image/network support is required, or when a guided interface justifies the cost. For physical failure, preserving data is more important than repeatedly scanning the original.
Quick Recap
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