Help, reinstall windows 10 erased ALL of my partitions

berty89 · 07 Feb 2020

Hello,

After using my PC for 3 years I wanted a fresh install.

I used the system recovery function of windows 10. I allowed windows to delete my files, thinking it would only erase all my files on my C partition, the SSD drive for windows. After the reinstall I found out that my other two disks/3 partitions also were erased. Luckily, a lot is in the cloud, but still still I am now missing a great history of files.

I tried some recovery software but until now nothing is found. Only like 9MB in total, recovery files etc, everything from the new fresh partition windows made during the installation.

What is the best option for me at this moment?

dalchina · 07 Feb 2020

Hi, sorry to hear of your problem.

I'm guessing you picked the second option here:
Reset Windows 10
(not clear what 'system recovery' is).

I don't hold out great hopes for recovering data- it's not yet clear whether your new partitions fill the disk overlaying your old ones for example. Plus it's a SSD not a HDD.

One key rule for data recovery is not to write more to the disk. If files are partially overwritten then PC software will not be able to recover them usefully; professional data recovery firms (£££££s) have a better chance with HDDs in this respect.

You're welcome to try this boot disk (iso file - then create a bootable disk from it)
Toolkit Item: Kyhi’s Rescue Disk – Win10.Guru
which has several data recovery programs on it, but I doubt you'll get very far I'm afraid.

The future: How do you avoid this? Time and again, tenforums members tirelessly recommend using disk imaging routinely. That way you have a restorable backup of all partitions imaged which you can keep up to date. You can mount the image files created and extract files. E.g. Macrium reflect (free- paid) + large enough external storage.