How do I use TestDisk?

To use TestDisk for recovering lost partitions or files, follow these steps:

1. Install TestDisk:

   • On Debian/Ubuntu:

     sudo apt-get install testdisk
     

   • On Fedora:

     sudo dnf install testdisk
     

   • On macOS (using Homebrew):

     brew install testdisk
     

2. Run TestDisk: Open a terminal and run TestDisk with superuser privileges:

   sudo testdisk
   

3. Create a Log File: When prompted, choose to create a new log file, append to an existing one, or not use a log file.

4. Select the Disk: Use the arrow keys to select the disk you want to analyze and press Enter.

5. Select Partition Table Type: TestDisk usually detects the partition table type automatically. If you're unsure, you can accept the default option.

6. Analyze the Disk:

   • Choose Analyze to search for lost partitions.
   • Select Quick Search to start the search. If partitions are found, you can choose to list files or continue with deeper searches.

7. Deeper Search (if needed): If the quick search does not find your lost partitions, you can select Deeper Search to perform a more thorough scan.

8. Recover Files:

   • If you find the lost partition, you can navigate through it and select files to recover.
   • Use the C key to copy files. Choose a destination to save the recovered files.

9. Write Changes (if necessary): If you need to restore a partition, select it and choose the option to write the changes. Be cautious with this step, as it can overwrite existing data.

10. Exit TestDisk: After completing your recovery, you can exit TestDisk by selecting the appropriate option.

Important Notes:

• Always work on a copy of the disk if possible to avoid further data loss.
• Recovery success depends on various factors, including how much the disk has been used since the deletion.
• Read the documentation or help files within TestDisk for more detailed instructions and options.