TestDisk — The Free Bootable Partition and Boot-Repair Tool
TestDisk recovers lost partitions and unbootable disks for free. It is not a file-level recovery tool — but for the most common data-loss class (I deleted a whole partition) it is the first thing to run.
What it does
TestDisk runs from a USB boot disk (or installed on Windows). You pick the disk and it deep-scans for partition signatures — even when the partition table itself is gone — and lists what it finds (NTFS, ext4, HFS+, etc.). You mark the found partitions to write back to the table, or to a log file for inspection first. It also fixes boot sectors and RAID-0 metadata. For individual files inside an intact partition it is the wrong tool — that is Recuva/DMDE/EaseUS territory.
Pricing and the free tier
Free and open-source, no limit. No subscription. For a household, the free tier is the whole product. The bootable USB version works on a dead Windows install, which is the whole point.
Good at
- A deleted or invisible partition (the disk is fine, the partition table is not)
- Unbootable disks after a power failure
- Free, no subscription, no limit
Not for
- Individual lost files inside an intact partition (Recuva/DMDE/EaseUS instead)
- RAID arrays (TestDisk does not understand RAID)
Key features
- Free, open-source, no limit
- Partitions, file-system boot sectors, and RAID-0 metadata recovery
- Bootable from USB on Windows, macOS, Linux
- NTFS, ext, FAT, HFS+, ReFS, and more
Frequently asked questions
Is TestDisk free?
Yes — free, open-source, no limit. No subscription.
TestDisk or DMDE for a lost folder?
TestDisk is for lost partitions and boot repair. DMDE (free to 2 GB) is for lost files inside an intact partition. If the partition itself vanished, TestDisk first; if the partition is fine but files are gone, DMDE or Recuva.
Can TestDisk recover a NAS array?
Not by itself — it does not understand RAID. For a NAS array, R-Studio or UFS Raw. TestDisk is the Windows/PC-side tool.
Tools are half the picture — the snapshot and backup layer is the other half. See the 3-2-1 backup guide, the ransomware recovery walkthrough, and what decryption tools actually exist.
Last updated: November 2026 · prices are US list prices at the time of writing. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.