TestDisk is a powerful open-source tool used to recover lost partitions, repair partition tables, and restore boot sectors on Linux systems.
📦 Install TestDisk
Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install testdisk
Fedora
sudo dnf install testdisk
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S testdisk
▶️ Launch TestDisk
Run with root privileges:
sudo testdisk
🧭 Basic Navigation Controls
- Arrow keys → Move
- Enter → Select
- Q → Quit / Go back
🔧 Step-by-Step: Recover Lost Partitions
1. Create a Log File
- Select Create → Press Enter
2. Select Your Drive
- Choose your disk (e.g.,
/dev/sda) - Press Enter
3. Select Partition Table Type
- Usually auto-detected:
- Intel/PC (MBR)
- EFI GPT (modern systems)
4. Analyze the Disk
- Select Analyze
- Press Enter
- Choose Quick Search
5. View Found Partitions
- Highlight a partition
- Press P to preview files
✔ If files look correct → proceed
6. Write the Partition Table
- Press Enter → Select Write
- Confirm with Y
⚠️ Reboot after writing changes:
sudo reboot
🛠️ Recover Deleted Files (Advanced)
TestDisk includes PhotoRec for file recovery:
sudo photorec
- Select drive
- Choose file types
- Pick recovery location
✔ Recovers files even from damaged partitions
⚠️ Important Tips
- Always run as root (sudo)
- Avoid writing to the affected drive before recovery
- Use a separate drive for recovered files
- GPT systems are common on newer PCs
🧠 When to Use TestDisk
- Lost or deleted partitions
- Corrupted partition tables
- System won’t boot
- Missing drives after OS install
🔍 Alternative Tools
- GParted (GUI partition tool)
- ddrescue (advanced disk recovery)
Force Cache (Faster Mirror)
