When installing Windows 7 on my computer, I accidentally deleted partitions on my 4 TB HDD. I can see some files on my HDD with TestDisk, but I failed to access the data in Windows File Explorer with a warning, 'You need to format the disk before using it.' How can I recover data from the HDD?
Dany· Answered on Jun 30, 2025
You cannot access the partition on HDD with TestDisk may because it has done an MBR conversion. Select "Reset GPT + MBR signatures" from the context menu when you right-click the first line, "Disk 2(Your HDD)". To see "GPT" on the first line rather than MBR, you might need to toggle GPT Off and On again. The NTFS partition should thereafter be able to be added at that point. If you cannot get what you want with TestDisk, you can try to use a partition recovery tool to recover lost partitions or recreate the partitions after recovering data.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a helpful tool to recover data from lost partitions on HDD. This tool will help you recover all files from your lost HDD partitions, including emails, documents, audio, videos, etc. No matter whether the data was lost on HDD, SSD, external hard drives, memory cards, or SD cards, this tool will help you recover the lost data.
1. The first thing after launching EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is scanning the lost partitions. This step allowed users to scan the lost partitions quickly or deeply. Scanning a 4TB HDD will take a while.
2. You can select the files while scanning the HDD. If you want to recover photos only, you can choose "Pictures" from the Filter option.
3. Recovering files to another hard drive by clicking "Recover".
After recovering data from your HDD, you can follow the prompts to format your HDD to use it. In most cases, when a partition is destroyed or deleted, the system also deletes the hard disk assignment for that area, allowing the memory segment to be replaced as necessary. There is still a possibility to utilize the recovery tool to recover deleted partitions as long as this portion of the disk is unaltered. You'd better back up your HDD regularly with backup software or enable Windows File History to avoid data loss.
Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover deleted or lost files easily and quickly.
Tutorials on how to recover lost, deleted, or formatted data from HDD, SSD, USB, SD card, or other storage media on Windows and Mac.
Can I Recover Deleted Browsing History
Can I recover deleted browsing history? The answer is yes. You can use data recovery software to help you better recover deleted browsing history.
Finley
Dec 12, 2025
How to Recover Deleted/Unsaved Smart Notebook Files [Windows Tips]
It's typical on the internet for people to desire to get their hands on Smart Notebook files. You should read this article if your smart notebook has ceased functioning or if you have lost the data on it.
Jaden
Feb 12, 2026
How to Recover Deleted Files from SD Card Using Chrome OS
SD cards are widely used due to their high data transfer speed and hot-swappable features, although various data loss issues plague them. Don't panic if you accidentally delete files from your SD card; different recovery methods and SD recovery software can help you retrieve deleted files from your SD card.
Jaden
Feb 12, 2026
How to Fix Can't Delete a File That's Stuck on Desktop
There are several methods to delete a file that is stuck on your desktop, and we will show you some possible solutions to help you troubleshoot this problem in this passage.
Dany
Jun 30, 2025
Does Sandisk Have a Recovery Program
Many users may be very curious that does SanDisk have a recovery program that can help them recover accidentally deleted files from SanDisk devices. The answer is no but you have other more choices available.
Finley
Dec 12, 2025
Are Permanently Deleted Photos Gone Forever
Are permanently deleted photos gone forever? This post from EaseUS will help you understand why permanently deleted photos are not gone forever and how you can recover photos that looks like have been deleted forever.
Finley
Feb 12, 2026