Looking for free software to restore repartition + quickformat

Hi!

I have HDD where I have deleted partition table and did quick format. Old and current partition both start at the same sector. I tried TestDisk but it can not see my old files. I tried DiskGenius and DMDE which both can see all my old files with their original filenames and paths. But the problem is both of these want money. So I thought before paying them I ask here if anyone knows any free alternatives to these. It seems like the free software does not try to reconstruct the filesystem and those paid versions probably look for Master File Table (MFT) backup file or something. Is there any free software can work in such a bit more advanced scenario where it needs to look a bit deeper into partition to reconstruct original file names?

PS I created image of entire disk so I can now safely try your suggestions out and revert changes when something turns out to be a bad idea.

Try3 said:

I don't understand.
Since you have a system imaging utility, why don't you just look in the image you made before you "deleted partition table"?


Denis

The wording of the post implies the image was made afterwards.

SIW2 said:

The wording of the post implies the image was made afterwards.

Yes.

To my knowledge, only commercial software like GetDataBack \, Active@ File Recovery\Disk Genius etc., can recover data with original file structure even if MFT is corrupted/deleted - which is your case.. There is no free lunch here. If you come across any, let us know.

Yes it seems like so. Wasn't 100% sure if I don't know how to google well enough or if that free lunch actually didnt exist. Was somehow difficult to believe that no open source dev on entire planet has ever attempted to do this.