Recovering a Mistakenly Deleted Partition in Windows 10

Accidental data loss can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when working with system installations. A common mishap many users encounter is the unintended deletion of a partition during the Windows 10 installation process. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t panic! Here’s a useful guide to help you through the recovery process after mistakenly deleting a hard drive partition.

The Situation

Imagine you’re in the midst of installing Windows 10, and suddenly, you realize you’ve deleted a second hard drive, one that had been forgotten in your laptop’s configuration. The initial shock is often overwhelming, but the good news is that if you ceased the installation immediately and didn’t write data to the drive, there may still be a chance to reclaim your files.

Upon further inspection, you find that while the DATA folder contains all your previous files and folders, accessing them throws up an error message: “overlapping existing partitions, you should remove overlapped partitions and repeat.”

What To Do Next?

Step 1: Avoid Further Modifications

First and foremost, ensure that no further changes are made to the hard drive. Refrain from installing any Software or saving new files to mitigate the risk of overwriting any recoverable data.

Step 2: Use Partition Recovery Tools

There are several utilities available that can help restore deleted partitions. Software like EaseUS Partition Recovery or MiniTool Partition Wizard can scan your hard drive for lost partitions and allow you to restore them to their original state.

• Download and Install: Choose a reliable recovery application and install it on a different drive to avoid overwriting.
• Run a Scan: Launch the application and initiate a scan to search for lost partitions.
• Follow Recovery Steps: Once the scan is complete, follow the prompts to recover the deleted partition. Be cautious during this process, ensuring not to create any new partitions overlapping with the restored one.

Step 3: Restore Your Files

If the partition is successfully recovered, your next step is to access your files. Navigate to the recovered partition and confirm that all your data is intact.

Step 4: Prevent Future Issues

To avoid such issues in the future, always double-check the drives and partitions you are manipulating during installations. It’s advisable to back up critical data regularly to external storage or the cloud for added protection against accidental deletions.

Final Thoughts