How to Perform Unallocated Hard Drive Data Recovery

Is it possible to perform unallocated hard drive data recovery?

Many users ask questions about what unallocated space is. In general, unallocated space is the space where Windows cannot read or write data. To access unallocated space, you need to ask for help from the Disk Management utility because you cannot access it via Windows File Explorer.

Unlike free space, unallocated space needs you to allocate it by creating a new partition or expanding an existing one. After that, you can recover the unallocated partition with the data in it.

Part 1. How to recover unallocated partition with data on it?

Are you seeking ways to recover unallocated partition with data on it? Please check the following two methods. After data loss, please avoid writing new files on your device.

Way 1. Recover deleted & lost partitions via AOMEI Partition Assistant

As stated earlier, deleted or lost partitions are among the possible reasons for unallocated space. Those users who’ve deleted partitions might be eager to recover deleted & lost partitions with data on them.

If it happens to be your case, the highly praised AOMEI Partition Assistant is right for you. It features a user-friendly interface and integrates the Partition Recovery wizard, which allows you to recover unallocate partition in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, etc., easily. The data will be included in most cases. 

Step 1. After running this software, click Recover > Partition Recovery, and select the disk containing the unallocated partition.

Step 2. To find your deleted or lost partitions quickly, please choose “Fast Search” and click “Next” to continue.

Step 3. After scanning, you can see all the recoverable drives. Please select your desired drive and click the “Proceed” button.

After the partition recovery process, you’ll receive a Congratulations message. Please click “Finish” to exit this window.

In addition,  you can enjoy other features of this wonderful software:

• Recover deleted & missing NTFS, FAT, EX2, EX3, or Ex4 partitions.
• Deal with fixing errors using CHKDSK.exe, disk formatting, merge partitions, partition creation, partition resize, etc.
• Perform disk conversion between MBR and GPT, OS migration, etc.
• Clone entire disk, OS, or specific partition.

Way 2. Recover deleted files from hard drive using AOMEI FastRecovery

Any changes to the unallocated partition could lead to further damage and decrease the data recovery rate. Thus, it's essential to perform unallocated hard drive data recovery as soon as possible. 

AOMEI FastRecovery, supported by AOMEI Tech, a highly praised data recovery tool, is good at recovering deleted and missing files from unallocated partitions, healthy or damaged hard drives or SSDs, external drives, etc.

Step 1. After running AOMEI FastRecovery on your Windows. Hover the mouse over the unallocated hard drive, and click Scan.

Step 2. It will perform a Deep Scan automatically and display all the deleted or lost data. Under the Type section, check all the data types for complete recovery. 

Step 3. Select the desired files and click on the Recover button to recover data from unallocated hard drive. Please select a new location to store your recovered files if you don't want to lose them forever. 

Part 2. How to fix unallocated external hard drives

Besides internal hard drives, external hard drives also often turn into unallocated space. Let’s take unallocated external hard drives as an example. Please refer to the fixes below.

Fix 1. Create a new simple volume 

As mentioned above, creating a new partition is a feasible way to fix unallocated disks. In this scenario, Disk Management is a good helper for you to perform varied Windows advanced storage tasks, including creating a new simple volume.

Step 1. After connecting your external hard drive to Windows, press “Win + X” and select “Disk Management” to open it.

Step 2. In Disk Management, right-click on the unallocated space and click the “New Simple Volume” button.

Step 3. Click “Next” on the Welcome wizard. You'll be asked to enter the disk size, assign a new drive letter, select whether to perform a quick format or not, etc.  Click Next after each selection.

Fix 2. Extend volume with unallocated space (Only if adjacent)

In Disk Management, you can still extend the existing volume using this unallocated space. It's limited to the adjacent partition.

Step 1. After connecting your external hard drive to the PC, press “Win + X” and select “Disk Management” to open this Windows utility.

Step 2. Right-click on your external HDD and select the “Extend Volume” option.

Step 3. Choose the disk and specify the space you want to extend, then click Next >Finish.

Why does a partition become an unallocated space?

If you’re on this page, it suggests this space is essential to you because unallocated space often contains a large number of deleted files. Let’s have a closer look at possible causes for unallocated space.

📌 Deleted or lost partition: If you accidentally deleted partitions or intentionally deleted partitions, this partition might become an unallocated space.

📌 Hardware failure: Hard drives are prone to failure. Once collapsed, the partition could be lost.

📌 Unexpected power failure: If your desktop or laptop loses power while writing to your drive, some data may be corrupted, and the related partition may be destroyed.

📌 Virus attacks: If a virus automatically deletes your partition, this erased partition might appear as unallocated space. Viruses also make Windows automatically delete files.

📌 Poor connection: A poor connection could discourage your PC from receiving sufficient power.

 How do I protect files on my hard drive?

No one wants to suffer data loss again. If you’re seeking ways to protect your hard drive, please consider the following data loss prevention measures and put them into action.

• Keep your PC or other portable devices clean
• Avoid high temperatures and humid environments such as liquid or milk
• Please think twice before permanent deletion
• Don’t empty your desktop Recycle Bin from time to time
• Avoid interruption as your PC or external hard drive reads, writes, or transfers data
• Gently eject your external hard drive and do not drag it
• Perform a good habit of making regular file, partition, disk, or system backups
• Run the latest antivirus software to protect your PC

As you can see, prevention always remains a better course of action than cure. In other words, only regular backups can prevent data loss at the source.

If you're not comfortable using Windows' built-in backup tools to separately back up files or the operating system and manage them, why not give AOMEI Backupper Standard a try? This free backup software for Windows offers you a richer, more flexible, and better user experience. For example, you can back up files, folders, partitions, disks, or systems at the same time via this tool.

Step 1. After installing AOMEI Backupper on your Windows PC, open it and select “File Backup” under the Backup tab.

Step 2. Click "Select Source"  > “Add Folder/Add File” to add the files/folders you want to back up. Then, click the PC icon to select your external drive as the backup destination. 

Step 3. Click "Schedule Backup" to enable daily, weekly, monthly (by date), etc., for continuous data protection. At last, click the “Start Backup” button.

After having a backup image,  you can try to restore files from backup if they are deleted or lost. 

• Under the Home tab, click the “Restore” button.
• Select the latest file backup.
• Select the specific files or folders you want to restore.
• Select “Restore to original location” or “Restore to a new location” as you need.
• At last, click “Start Restore” to begin the restoration process.