bulkhead
bulkhead: A focused Windows toolkit for VHDX imaging, GPT repair, and NTFS recovery. Ranked #21 of 34 in Partition Recovery Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows imaging and GPT repair.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWindows imaging and GPT repair
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- VHDX block-level imaging with Windows VSS and incremental differencing images
- GPT partition-table scanning, rebuilding, and partition movement
- Bootable WinPE media plus NTFS recovery and raw file carving
Where it doesn't
- Supports Windows only
- Partition-table support is limited to GPT
- The project describes itself as pre-alpha
Our verdict on bulkhead
bulkhead is a free, open-source Windows desktop tool for block-level backup, partition management, and data recovery. It is suited to Windows users who need VHDX imaging, GPT partition repair, deleted NTFS-file recovery, or bootable recovery media. The project is distributed as command-line and native Win32 GUI executables under the MIT license, giving it both scripted and graphical entry points.
Its imaging workflow uses Windows VSS to create VHDX block-level images, including incremental VHDX differencing images. Images can be mounted and restored to bare metal. For partition recovery, bulkhead scans for and rebuilds lost GPT partition tables and supports partition movement. Recovery features extend to deleted-file recovery from NTFS and signature-based carving from raw disk data. It can also create bootable WinPE recovery media, while offering read-only access to ext2/3/4, XFS, and HFS+ volumes. Secure erase operations include certificates.
bulkhead’s main trade-off is its narrow platform and partition-table scope: it supports Windows and GPT rather than a broader mix of operating systems or partition-table types. Its read-only access to several non-NTFS filesystems adds useful inspection coverage, but does not change that Windows-first focus. The project describes itself as pre-alpha, so it is a better fit for technically capable users who want free, open-source tooling and can work within that scope. Choose bulkhead for Windows imaging, GPT rebuilding, and recovery-media creation; choose another option for Linux or macOS workflows or non-GPT partition tables.
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bulkhead pricing
bulkhead fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Scan modes | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Windows |
| Partition table types | GPT |
| Filesystem support | NTFS, ext2, ext3, ext4, XFS, HFS+ |
| Bootable recovery media | Yes |
| Disk image recovery | Not verified |
| RAID recovery | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to bulkhead
- TestDiskA broad, free recovery toolkit for users comfortable with command-line workflows.9.3
- DMDEA low-cost recovery toolkit with unusually broad filesystem, partition, disk, and RAID support.8.8
- Active@ Partition RecoveryA deep Windows recovery toolkit with free scanning and advanced repair tiers.7.9
See all bulkhead alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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