Windows Disk & Recovery Tools
Partition management, disk imaging, file recovery, boot recovery and system rescue.
Recovery is never guaranteed. If you've lost files, stop using the drive to avoid overwriting them, and recover to a different drive. Back up before changing partitions.
Partition management
Create, resize and format partitions.
- Disk ManagementBuilt into Windows
Initialise disks, create, extend or shrink partitions, and assign drive letters.
Open:
diskmgmt.mscAll versions of Windows
Disk imaging
Save or clone whole disks.
- Rescuezilla
Point-and-click disk imaging and recovery from a bootable USB.
Open SourceWin / Mac / Linux
File recovery
Try to recover deleted files or lost partitions.
- TestDisk and PhotoRec
TestDisk recovers partitions; PhotoRec recovers files. Recovery isn't guaranteed.
Open SourceWin / Mac / Linux
Boot and system recovery
Repair startup problems and restore Windows.
- Windows Recovery EnvironmentBuilt into Windows
Startup Repair, System Restore, reset and command prompt when Windows won't start normally.
Open:
Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup (or: shutdown /r /o)Windows 10 and 11
- System RestoreBuilt into Windows
Undo a problematic driver, update or app installation without affecting personal files.
Open:
rstruiAll versions of Windows (must be turned on)
- System File CheckerBuilt into Windows
Repair damaged Windows system files. Run from an administrator terminal.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
sfc /scannowAll versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
- chkdskBuilt into Windows
Find and fix file system errors. Back up important files before repairing a failing drive.
Command Prompt or PowerShell:
chkdsk C:All versions of WindowsMicrosoft documentation
Disk health and space
Check drive health and what's using space.
