Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about TestDisk usage, compatibility, and troubleshooting. For more help, visit the forum or the main TestDisk page.
Recovery & Safety
Can TestDisk recover deleted partitions safely?
Yes. TestDisk analyses disk structures to locate lost partitions and can write recovered partition tables back to disk. Always avoid writing new data to the affected drive before recovery to prevent overwrites.
Can TestDisk undelete files?
TestDisk can undelete files from FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2 filesystems and copy files from deleted partitions. For deep file recovery, use the companion PhotoRec tool.
Compatibility & Filesystems
Which filesystems and platforms are supported?
TestDisk supports FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ext2/3/4, HFS+, APFS, and more. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and additional systems.
Can TestDisk rebuild boot sectors?
Yes. It can rebuild NTFS and FAT boot sectors, recover FAT32 boot sectors from backups, and repair FAT tables. It can also fix NTFS MFT using the MFT mirror.
Detection & Troubleshooting
TestDisk does not list my disk. What should I check?
Verify the device is visible in the OS (Disk Management, lsblk, diskutil list). Ensure you have administrator/root privileges and that USB enclosures expose low‑level access when using external drives.
Analyse finds partitions but they won’t mount. What next?
Use Deeper Search to locate alternate structures, verify filesystem integrity, and carefully confirm partition boundaries before using Write. When in doubt, copy files from the found partitions first.
Is TestDisk slow on large disks?
Scanning large or damaged disks can take time. Close other applications, run from a reliable power source, and consider connecting drives directly rather than through limited USB bridges.
常规
Is TestDisk free?
Yes. TestDisk is free and open‑source under the GNU GPL. It is widely used by professionals and the community.
Does TestDisk have a GUI?
TestDisk is CLI‑based for precision. A GUI is available for the companion PhotoRec (QPhotoRec) for file recovery scenarios.
