Recover pictures from a lost partition after re-installing Windows 11

[Gia43]

Can I recover pictures from a lost partition after re-installing Windows 11?

[Alden4]

Hi @Gia43,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Yes, it is possible to recover pictures from a lost partition after reinstalling Windows 11, but it depends on a few factors like whether the partition was overwritten during the reinstallation or if the data is still intact on the hard drive. Here are some steps you can follow to try and recover your lost pictures.

Stop Using the Laptop Immediately

• Avoid using the laptop to prevent overwriting the lost data on the partition. Every new file written to the disk may reduce the chances of successful recovery.

Use Data Recovery Software

Several data recovery tools can help recover files from lost partitions. Here are some popular ones:

• Recuva: A free and user-friendly tool.
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Excellent for recovering data from lost or deleted partitions.
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery: Works well for recovering files from formatted or deleted partitions.
• Disk Drill: Known for a high recovery success rate, with an easy-to-use interface.

Steps to recover:

• Download and install one of these tools (preferably on an external drive to avoid overwriting lost data).
• Run a full scan for the lost partition or deleted files.
• Once the scan is complete, review the list of recoverable files, including your pictures.
• Save the recovered files to an external drive.

Check if the Partition Still Exists

• Use Windows’ Disk Management tool to see if the lost partition is still listed (but perhaps not allocated). To check:
  • Right-click the Start button and select Disk Management.
  • See if there's any unallocated space or partitions listed as "lost" or without a letter.
  • If the partition is visible, you might be able to assign a letter to it or recover it using third-party partition recovery tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard or AOMEI Partition Assistant.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support