Five Lost-Partition Tools Checked · July 2026

Best Partition Recovery Software for Lost Partitions

A missing partition does not always mean the files are gone. These tools take different routes, from safely copying files out to rewriting the partition table itself.

By Beginrescueend Notes Editorial Team Published · Updated
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⚡ TL;DR · Quick answer
Disk Drill is the best overall partition recovery software for most home users because it combines lost-partition scanning, file previews, plus byte-to-byte backups in a clean interface. Choose DMDE or TestDisk instead if you specifically need to restore a partition-table entry rather than copy the files to safety.
★ Best overall
1

Disk Drill

9.2/10

Best for: Home users who need to pull files from a deleted, formatted, or missing partition without learning a technical recovery interface

  • Clear device-level scanning workflow
  • Lost Partition Search for missing volumes
  • Byte-to-byte disk backups included
  • Useful previews before buying PRO
Read full review Visit Site →
2

DMDE

8.9/10

Best for: Experienced users who can inspect volume boundaries before restoring a deleted partition entry

  • Can restore detected partition entries
  • Excellent view of volume boundaries
  • Free recovery allowance is genuinely useful
  • Runs on several desktop operating systems plus DOS
Visit Site →
3

R-Studio

8.7/10

Best for: Technicians handling damaged filesystems, unusual disk layouts, virtual disks, or network recovery

  • Broad filesystem support
  • Detailed control over scan ranges
  • Built-in disk imaging plus hex tools
  • Works with local, virtual, plus network disks
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Best Lost Partition Recovery Software Compared

This table compares the five tools on two details that matter during a missing-volume recovery: whether they search for lost partitions plus whether they can image the source disk first. Prices reflect the listed entry point or practical personal license. Scores are editorial judgments based on workflow, capability, safety, plus value, not a laboratory recovery-rate benchmark.

Tool Lost Partition Search Disk Imaging Price Score
1.Disk Drill PICK ● Yes ● Yes $89/yr 9.2/10
2.DMDE ● Yes ● Yes $48 one-time 8.9/10
3.R-Studio ● Yes ● Yes From $49.99 8.7/10
4.UFS Explorer Standard Recovery ● Yes ● Yes $69.95 one-time 8.5/10
5.TestDisk ● Yes ● No Free 8.1/10

The 5 Best Partition Recovery Software Tools Reviewed

01

Disk Drill

Windows / macOS · CleverFiles

9.2/10

Disk Drill earned first place because it makes a stressful job unusually easy to follow. Its device-level scan can locate data from a partition that vanished after formatting, repartitioning, or a damaged partition map. Results remain organized by source where metadata survives, while previews help confirm that important files are usable before payment.

The free Basic edition can run the full scan, save the session, create a byte-to-byte backup, plus preview recoverable files. Windows users may restore up to 100 MB free. Most lost-partition jobs require PRO, priced at $89 per year or $149 for a lifetime license covering Windows plus macOS on up to three devices.

Disk Drill recovers files from a lost partition rather than directly rewriting the partition table. That is often the safer route for nontechnical users. TestDisk or DMDE offers more direct partition repair controls, though either can cause trouble if the wrong structure is written back to disk.

Best forHome users who need to pull files from a deleted, formatted, or missing partition without learning a technical recovery interface

Standout featureLost Partition Search combines filesystem scans, file signatures, previews, plus byte-to-byte backup in one approachable workflow
Disk Drill Pros
  • Clear device-level scanning workflow
  • Lost Partition Search for missing volumes
  • Byte-to-byte disk backups included
  • Useful previews before buying PRO
  • One PRO license covers Windows plus macOS
Disk Drill Cons
  • Unlimited recovery requires a paid license
  • No direct partition-table restoration workflow
  • Lifetime license costs more than several technical rivals
Basic $0 Full scanning plus previews; Windows recovery limited to 100 MB
PRO Annual $89/yr Unlimited recovery on up to three devices
PRO Lifetime $149 Unlimited recovery plus future upgrades
Recommended Data Recovery Software ↗ Download Disk Drill
Read our full Disk Drill review
02

DMDE

Windows / macOS / Linux / DOS · DMDE Software

8.9/10

DMDE is the strongest choice here when the goal is to restore a partition entry, not merely copy files out of a missing volume. Its Full Scan can locate old filesystem structures, while the Partitions window exposes start sectors, volume sizes, boot records, plus overlapping entries. That detail is helpful when a disk suddenly appears unallocated.

The interface assumes that you understand what those numbers mean. A wrong write can make the layout harder to untangle, so inspect files first, save results elsewhere, then alter the partition map only when the detected boundaries make sense. The free edition can recover up to 4,000 files from a selected directory per request.

DMDE also has unusually fair pricing. Express costs $20 for one year, while the $48 Standard license is perpetual for one operating-system family. It is less comfortable than Disk Drill, but its low-level controls are far better suited to deliberate partition restoration.

Best forExperienced users who can inspect volume boundaries before restoring a deleted partition entry

Standout featureA partition editor can insert a correctly detected lost volume back into the partition table
DMDE Pros
  • Can restore detected partition entries
  • Excellent view of volume boundaries
  • Free recovery allowance is genuinely useful
  • Runs on several desktop operating systems plus DOS
  • Low perpetual-license price
DMDE Cons
  • Dense interface takes time to understand
  • Partition-table writes carry real risk
  • Express license is limited to one year
Free $0 Up to 4,000 files from one selected directory per request
Express $20/yr Personal bulk-folder recovery for one OS family
Standard $48 Perpetual license with lifetime updates
Get DMDE
03

R-Studio

Windows / macOS / Linux · R-Tools Technology

8.7/10

R-Studio treats a lost partition as part of a broader disk-reconstruction problem. It can scan an entire physical disk, find recognized partitions at old offsets, parse damaged filesystem records, then fall back to raw file signatures where metadata is gone. Scan regions can be narrowed when the approximate partition location is known.

Its breadth is the reason to choose it, though the interface presents a lot at once. Device objects, recognized volumes, scan information, file trees, hex data, plus recovery settings all compete for attention. That is useful for a technician, less so for someone trying to rescue a vacation-photo drive at midnight.

Pricing starts at $49.99, but lower-cost editions may restrict filesystem coverage. Check that the selected license supports the filesystem on the missing partition. The full R-Studio edition is the sensible comparison point for mixed NTFS, APFS, HFS+, Ext, ReFS, or UFS work.

Best forTechnicians handling damaged filesystems, unusual disk layouts, virtual disks, or network recovery

Standout featureFine-grained scan regions plus a hex editor expose more control than beginner-focused recovery apps
R-Studio Pros
  • Broad filesystem support
  • Detailed control over scan ranges
  • Built-in disk imaging plus hex tools
  • Works with local, virtual, plus network disks
  • Strong choice for complex logical damage
R-Studio Cons
  • Busy interface can overwhelm first-time users
  • Cheaper editions have narrower filesystem support
  • License selection requires careful reading
Entry License From $49.99 Filesystem support depends on the edition selected
Visit R-Studio
04

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery

Windows / macOS / Linux · SysDev Laboratories

8.5/10

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery fits lost partitions on drives that have moved between operating systems. It recognizes more than 15 filesystems, including NTFS, APFS, Ext4, Btrfs, ZFS, XFS, FAT, plus UFS. It can also open common virtual-disk formats without booting the original virtual machine.

The built-in disk imager is a practical advantage if the source reads slowly or reports bad sectors. Imaging first reduces repeated contact with the original drive. The software runs read-only against source storage during recovery, though recovered files still need a separate destination.

The free trial allows unrestricted scanning, previewing, plus disk imaging. Saved files are limited to 256 KB, so it works mainly as a verification tool. A personal Standard Recovery license starts at $69.95 for one operating-system platform.

Best forUsers recovering a single disk that may contain Linux, Windows, Mac, encrypted, or virtual-machine volumes

Standout featureWide filesystem coverage is paired with a configurable imager built for unstable storage
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery Pros
  • Strong Windows, Mac, plus Linux filesystem coverage
  • Advanced imaging tool included in the trial
  • Read-only recovery workflow
  • Handles encrypted volumes in supported configurations
  • Perpetual personal license
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery Cons
  • Trial only saves files up to 256 KB
  • License applies to one operating-system platform
  • Interface has more technical detail than Disk Drill
Trial $0 Unlimited scans plus previews; saves files up to 256 KB
Personal $69.95 Perpetual Standard Recovery license for one platform
Commercial $139.95 Perpetual Standard Recovery license for one platform
Try UFS Explorer
05

TestDisk

Windows / macOS / Linux / BSD / DOS · CGSecurity

8.1/10

TestDisk is the only completely free tool in this list built specifically around lost-partition recovery. Its Analyse workflow reads the current partition table, runs Quick Search, then offers Deeper Search when the first pass misses a volume. You can list files inside many detected partitions before writing any change.

That preview step matters. TestDisk can alter the partition table, restore an NTFS or FAT boot sector from its backup, rebuild certain boot sectors, plus locate alternate Ext superblocks. Those actions may restore normal access quickly, though choosing a false match can worsen the disk layout.

There is no purchase gate, recovery quota, or subscription. The tradeoff is a keyboard-driven text interface with terminology that expects some knowledge of GPT, MBR, filesystems, plus partition boundaries. It also lacks a built-in general-purpose disk-imaging workflow, so clone a questionable drive with a suitable imaging utility first.

Best forConfident users who need a no-cost tool to rebuild partition-table entries or repair supported boot sectors

Standout featureIt can write discovered partitions back to MBR or GPT layouts without a paid license
TestDisk Pros
  • Completely free plus open source
  • Purpose-built lost-partition search
  • Can restore partition-table entries
  • Lists files before committing changes
  • Supports many partition maps plus filesystems
TestDisk Cons
  • Text interface is intimidating
  • A mistaken write can damage the disk layout
  • No built-in general-purpose disk imager
Open Source $0 No recovery limits or paid edition
Open TestDisk
Read our full TestDisk review

How We Evaluated Partition Recovery Software for Lost Volumes

We reviewed each tool against common logical-loss situations: an accidentally deleted partition, a volume shown as unallocated, a damaged boot record, plus a reformatted disk. The evaluation focused on whole-device scanning, recognition of old volume boundaries, filesystem coverage, file previews, source-disk imaging, safe read-only behavior, plus the clarity of the recovery workflow.

Scores do not claim a universal recovery percentage. Results vary with overwritten sectors, SSD TRIM, filesystem damage, encryption, plus drive health. We gave more weight to tools that let a user verify real files before payment or before writing any structural change to the disk.

How to Choose Partition Recovery Software for a Missing Volume

First decide what you mean by recovery. If you only need the files, use a tool that scans the physical disk, previews results, then copies them to separate storage. This is usually safer than writing a partition entry back. Disk Drill fits that route, while R-Studio plus UFS Explorer add deeper controls for technical layouts.

If the disk is healthy plus the partition was simply deleted, DMDE or TestDisk may restore the original entry. Confirm the start sector, end sector, filesystem, plus directory listing before making a write. For a slow or unstable drive, imaging support matters more than interface polish.

Common Lost Partition Recovery Mistakes to Avoid

Initializing an unallocated disk is not a harmless setup step. Neither is formatting it so Windows or macOS can assign a usable volume. Both actions write new structures that may replace evidence of the old partition. Running CHKDSK, First Aid, or another repair utility can also change filesystem metadata before the files are secured.

Another common mistake is scanning a physically failing drive for hours. If the disk stalls, clicks, disappears, or reports read errors, repeated scans may reduce the remaining recovery window. Create a sector-level image with a fault-tolerant tool or stop for professional help. Never install recovery software on the affected partition.

Which Lost Partition Recovery Tool Should You Use?

Disk Drill is the best starting point for most people because it finds files from missing volumes without making the recovery process feel like partition surgery. Its previews plus byte-to-byte backup tool also let you check the situation before paying or touching the original layout.

DMDE is better when you understand partition boundaries plus want direct repair controls. R-Studio or UFS Explorer makes more sense for unusual filesystems, virtual disks, or technical cases. TestDisk remains a capable free choice, provided you are comfortable reviewing every proposed partition before writing changes.

Top pick Disk Drill
Image the affected disk first, scan the image with two shortlisted tools, then compare previews of several important files before buying a license or changing the partition table.

Partition Recovery Software Questions Answered

What is the best partition recovery software for a lost partition in 2026?
The best choice depends on how badly the drive was damaged, but tools like TestDisk, EaseUS Partition Recovery, and MiniTool Partition Wizard are common picks for lost partition recovery. If the partition table is still partly intact, a deeper scan usually gives the best shot at bringing it back.
How do I recover a deleted partition without formatting the drive?
Stop using the drive right away so nothing gets overwritten. Then run a partition recovery scan, preview the found volumes if the tool supports it, and restore the correct partition entries instead of formatting the disk.
Which partition recovery tool is best for SSDs?
Look for software that can scan without writing heavily to the disk, since SSDs are more sensitive to unnecessary changes. A good tool should also detect GPT layouts, NVMe drives, plus partitions lost after accidental deletion or failed cloning.
Can partition recovery software restore a lost EFI or boot partition?
Sometimes, yes, if the partition itself still exists in the scan results. If the EFI System Partition is missing, the software may recover it, but you could still need to repair boot records afterward so the computer starts normally.
What is the difference between partition recovery software and data recovery software?
Partition recovery focuses on restoring the lost partition structure so the operating system can see the volume again. Data recovery pulls files from damaged or missing partitions, which is useful when the partition layout cannot be safely rebuilt.
Is free partition recovery software good enough for home use?
For simple cases, yes. Free tools can work well when the partition was deleted recently or the drive has not been overwritten, but paid options often add better previews, easier wizards, plus support for tougher recovery cases.
How can I tell if a lost partition is actually recoverable?
If the drive still shows the right size plus the space is marked unallocated, recovery odds are often decent. If the disk has physical damage, strange noises, or repeated disconnects, software may not be enough.
Does partition recovery work on GPT and MBR disks?
Yes, most reputable partition recovery programs support both GPT and MBR. Make sure the tool matches the disk type before you restore anything, since wrong table repairs can make the problem worse.
What should I do first after a partition disappears from Windows?
Do not create a new volume on that space. Open Disk Management to confirm the partition is truly gone, then use recovery software from a separate drive so you do not overwrite the lost data.
Can I recover a partition after reinstalling Windows?
Often you can, especially if the reinstall did not wipe the whole disk. A partition recovery scan may find the old volume, but if Windows Setup repartitioned the drive, some files may already be overwritten.
Which partition recovery software is easiest for beginners?
Ease of use matters a lot if you are not technical. Programs with step-by-step wizards, clear partition labels, plus preview features are usually the safest first try because they reduce the chance of choosing the wrong result.
How long does partition recovery usually take?
It can take a few minutes on a small drive or several hours on a large disk with a deep scan. Speed depends on drive size, file system damage, plus whether the software is only checking for lost partition entries or scanning for data signatures too.
What are the risks of using partition recovery software?
The biggest risk is writing to the wrong disk or restoring the wrong partition entry. That is why it helps to disconnect drives you do not need, read the scan results carefully, then save recovered files to a separate device.
Can partition recovery software fix a RAW partition?
Sometimes it can, if the partition structure is damaged but the data is still there. If the file system itself is badly corrupted, you may need file recovery first, then rebuild the partition only after you have copied out important files.
What is the best alternative if partition recovery software fails?
If software cannot see the old volume, try cloning the drive first so you work from a safer copy. For physically failing disks, a professional recovery lab is usually the better next step because continued attempts can make the loss worse.
Is it safe to install partition recovery software on the same drive that lost the partition?
No, that is a bad idea. Install it on another drive or run it from a bootable USB, since every new write can reduce the chance of getting the partition back intact.
How much does good partition recovery software cost in October 2026?
Pricing usually ranges from free for basic recovery to a one-time license or yearly plan for advanced features. If you only need one recovery, look closely at the trial scan, the restore limits, plus whether the license covers the drive size you need.
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