Five RAW Recovery Tools Checked · August 2026

Best RAW Drive Recovery Software in 2026

A RAW label usually means the operating system cannot read the volume's file system. These tools can scan the underlying disk, rebuild usable file records, or carve files when the directory structure is gone.

By Pjirc Blog Editorial Team Published · Updated
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⚡ TL;DR · Quick answer

Disk Drill is the best RAW drive recovery software for most people. It makes an unreadable disk less confusing, offers byte-to-byte imaging, plus lets you preview results before paying. Pick R-Studio or DMDE if you prefer deeper technical control.

★ Best overall
1

Disk Drill

9.2/10

Best for: Home users facing a RAW external drive who want clear previews, simple filters, plus disk imaging without a technical interface

  • Friendly interface for first-time recovery attempts
  • Byte-to-byte imaging is included
  • Useful previews plus recovery-chance estimates
  • One license covers Windows plus macOS
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2

R-Studio

8.9/10

Best for: IT staff or experienced users who need detailed scan settings, disk maps, imaging, plus low-level inspection

  • Detailed control over scan regions plus file systems
  • Strong lost-partition reconstruction tools
  • Creates plus opens disk images
  • Useful hexadecimal viewer
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3

DMDE

8.7/10

Best for: Budget-conscious technical users recovering a lost partition or damaged file-system structure from a single disk

  • Very low paid-license cost
  • Generous free recovery limit
  • Good lost-volume plus partition analysis
  • Runs on a wide range of operating systems
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Best RAW Drive Recovery Software Compared

These five tools are compared on source-drive imaging, file previews, price, plus practical fit for an unreadable single disk. Scores reflect editorial judgment based on safety features, workflow, file-system coverage, free limits, plus licensing, rather than a claimed universal recovery rate.

Tool Disk imaging Free recovery Price Score
1. Disk Drill PICK ● Yes 100 MB on Windows $89 one-time 9.2/10
2. R-Studio ● Yes Files under 256 KB $79.99 one-time 8.9/10
3. DMDE ● Yes 4,000 files per operation $48 one-time 8.7/10
4. UFS Explorer Standard Recovery ● Yes Files up to 256 KB $69.95 one-time 8.5/10
5. PhotoRec ● No Unlimited Free 7.7/10

The 5 Best RAW Drive Recovery Tools, Reviewed

01

Disk Drill

Windows, macOS · CleverFiles

9.2/10

Disk Drill gave us the cleanest route from an unreadable volume to a usable file list. On our RAW-drive workflow, the app grouped reconstructed photos, documents, video, plus archives into sensible categories. Previewing a sample from each group took only a few clicks, which matters when original folder records are partly gone.

Its byte-to-byte backup tool is the bigger reason it ranks first. A drive that is slow, disconnecting, or reporting read errors should be imaged before a long scan. Disk Drill places that safer workflow inside an interface a regular Windows or Mac user can follow.

The free Windows edition recovers up to 100 MB. Mac users can scan plus preview, though unrestricted recovery requires PRO. The $89 lifetime license covers one user on as many as three devices, with Windows plus macOS included.

Best forHome users facing a RAW external drive who want clear previews, simple filters, plus disk imaging without a technical interface

Standout featureRecovery-chance labels make a large RAW scan easier to sort before files are copied
Disk Drill Pros
  • Friendly interface for first-time recovery attempts
  • Byte-to-byte imaging is included
  • Useful previews plus recovery-chance estimates
  • One license covers Windows plus macOS
  • Broad support for reconstructed file signatures
Disk Drill Cons
  • Mac free mode is mainly for scanning plus previewing
  • Costs more than DMDE
  • A deep signature scan may lose original names or folders
Basic $0 Windows recovery up to 100 MB; Mac scanning plus previews
PRO Lifetime $89 Unlimited recovery for one user on up to three devices
Recommended Data Recovery Software ↗ Download Disk Drill
Read our full Disk Drill review
02

R-Studio

Windows, macOS, Linux · R-Tools Technology

8.9/10

R-Studio exposes far more of the recovery process than most consumer tools. It can search for lost partitions, scan a RAW disk by known file system, then fall back to signature recognition where metadata is too damaged. The file tree, disk map, plus scan controls are useful when you know what you are looking at.

That control comes with friction. A new user can face several recognized partitions, unfamiliar scan regions, plus many recovery options at once. Preview support helps confirm results before purchase, though the demo only saves files smaller than 256 KB.

The full Windows license costs $79.99. Separate editions are sold for macOS or Linux, so mixed-platform households should account for that before choosing it over Disk Drill.

Best forIT staff or experienced users who need detailed scan settings, disk maps, imaging, plus low-level inspection

Standout featureIts technical toolset combines file-system reconstruction, raw carving, imaging, plus a hexadecimal editor
R-Studio Pros
  • Detailed control over scan regions plus file systems
  • Strong lost-partition reconstruction tools
  • Creates plus opens disk images
  • Useful hexadecimal viewer
  • Available for Windows, macOS, plus Linux
R-Studio Cons
  • Busy interface has a real learning curve
  • Licenses are platform-specific
  • Demo recovery is restricted to very small files
Demo $0 Scan plus preview; saves files under 256 KB
R-Studio Windows $79.99 Permanent single-platform license
Get R-Studio
03

DMDE

Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS · DMDE Software

8.7/10

DMDE is unusually capable for its price. Its partitions panel can reveal a volume that Windows labels RAW, while the full scan searches for file-system remnants plus known file signatures. It is especially useful when the partition boundaries or boot records are damaged but much of the directory metadata remains.

The interface is compact, technical, plus easy to misuse if you start changing partition records rather than copying files out. Treat its editor functions cautiously. For recovery, open the detected volume, verify files, then save them to a separate healthy disk.

The free edition allows up to 4,000 files from the active directory per recovery operation. Express costs $20 for one year, while the $48 Standard license is perpetual for one operating-system family.

Best forBudget-conscious technical users recovering a lost partition or damaged file-system structure from a single disk

Standout featureThe free edition can restore as many as 4,000 files from one selected directory per operation
DMDE Pros
  • Very low paid-license cost
  • Generous free recovery limit
  • Good lost-volume plus partition analysis
  • Runs on a wide range of operating systems
  • Hexadecimal plus disk editing tools are built in
DMDE Cons
  • Interface is harder to learn than Disk Drill
  • Powerful editing features require care
  • One standard license covers one OS family
Free $0 Up to 4,000 files from one selected directory per operation
Express $20 One-year license for one OS family
Standard $48 Perpetual license for one OS family
Visit DMDE
04

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery

Windows, macOS, Linux · SysDev Laboratories

8.5/10

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery is a sensible choice when the disk came from a different operating system. It supports more than 15 file systems, including NTFS, APFS, Ext4, XFS, Btrfs, plus ZFS. That breadth can preserve names or folders where a signature-only scan would produce a pile of generic files.

The built-in imager provides controls for drives with read errors, while recovery operations remain read-only on the source. Its interface is less intimidating than R-Studio, though storage terminology still assumes some technical comfort.

The trial has no time limit. It scans, previews, plus creates disk images, but only saves individual files up to 256 KB. A personal license starts at $69.95 for one chosen platform.

Best forUsers recovering a RAW single drive that previously used APFS, Ext4, ZFS, XFS, Btrfs, NTFS, or another less common file system

Standout featureIt offers broad file-system coverage plus an advanced imager for unstable single-drive media
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery Pros
  • Broad Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, plus Solaris file-system support
  • Advanced disk imaging is included
  • Read-only handling protects the source drive
  • Perpetual personal license
  • Trial permits unlimited scanning plus previews
UFS Explorer Standard Recovery Cons
  • Trial only saves files up to 256 KB
  • Personal license is tied to one platform
  • Standard edition is not meant for manual RAID reconstruction
Trial $0 Unlimited scans plus previews; saves files up to 256 KB
Personal $69.95 Perpetual license for one selected platform
Commercial $139.95 Perpetual single-platform business license
Try UFS Explorer
05

PhotoRec

Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS · CGSecurity

7.7/10

PhotoRec takes a different route from the other picks. It does not need a working file system, so a RAW volume is a natural use case. It reads sectors, identifies known file signatures, then writes recovered content to another disk.

The tradeoff is organization. Recovered files commonly receive generated names, while original folder paths may be unavailable. A broad scan can create thousands of small files, thumbnails, plus duplicates. Limiting the selected file families before scanning makes the output easier to review.

PhotoRec is completely free plus open source. The package includes a text interface on supported systems, while QPhotoRec offers a basic graphical front end on Windows.

Best forPatient users who need no-cost file carving after file-system metadata has been badly damaged or erased

Standout featureIt ignores the broken file system plus carves recognizable files directly from raw sectors
PhotoRec Pros
  • Completely free with no recovery cap
  • Works without intact file-system metadata
  • Supports many recognizable file signatures
  • Runs on several operating systems
  • Source code is publicly available
PhotoRec Cons
  • Usually loses original filenames plus folder structure
  • Output requires considerable sorting
  • Interface feels dated beside commercial tools
Open Source $0 Unlimited file carving with no paid tier
Open PhotoRec

How We Compared RAW Drive Recovery Software

We assessed each tool around a logical RAW-drive workflow: detect the physical disk, inspect possible lost volumes, scan without writing to the source, preview found files, then save results elsewhere. Extra weight went to disk imaging, clear source-versus-destination warnings, file-system reconstruction, signature carving, preview quality, plus scan-result filtering.

Pricing scores use publicly listed US personal-license rates checked in August 2026. Recovery percentages were not invented because results change sharply with the original file system, overwritten sectors, SSD TRIM, encryption, hardware damage, plus what happened after the volume became unreadable.

How to Choose RAW Drive Recovery Software for an Unreadable Disk

Start with the drive's former file system. A Windows NTFS disk may be handled by almost every tool here, while APFS, Ext4, XFS, Btrfs, or ZFS narrows the field. File-system-aware recovery should be tried before raw carving because it may retain filenames, dates, plus folder paths.

Next, check whether the program can create a sector-by-sector image. Imaging is valuable when a disk has read errors or behaves inconsistently. Also confirm that several large, important files preview correctly. A list of filenames alone does not prove the file contents are intact.

Common RAW Drive Recovery Mistakes to Avoid

Formatting the volume is the most common bad first move. Even a quick format can replace useful file-system records. CHKDSK is also a repair utility, not a recovery tool. It changes structures on the source, which can make later reconstruction harder.

Never install recovery software on the affected drive. Never restore files to it either. Use another internal disk, an external drive with enough free space, or a full image stored on healthy media. If the source makes mechanical noises or repeatedly disconnects, software scanning can add stress without solving the physical fault.

Which RAW Drive Recovery Tool Should You Use?

Disk Drill earns first place because it balances a clear interface with the safety tools needed for a risky RAW-drive job. Its previews, recovery-chance labels, plus byte-to-byte imaging are easier to navigate than the denser controls found in specialist software.

R-Studio offers more technical depth, while DMDE delivers remarkable value if you can handle its interface. Choose UFS Explorer for unusual file systems. Keep PhotoRec as a free fallback when folder metadata is gone plus file carving is the only realistic route.

Top pick Disk Drill
Image the problem drive first, scan the image with two shortlisted tools, then buy only after several important preview files open correctly.

RAW Drive Recovery Questions Answered

What does it mean when a drive becomes RAW?
RAW means the operating system cannot recognize a usable file system on the volume. The disk may still contain data, but its partition records, boot sector, metadata, or file-system structures are missing or damaged.
Can RAW drive recovery software restore my files?
It can recover files when the problem is logical plus the sectors holding those files remain readable. Results depend on the former file system, later writes, formatting, encryption, SSD TRIM, plus physical condition.
Should I format a RAW drive when Windows asks?
No. Cancel the format prompt if the files matter. Formatting writes new file-system data to the volume, which may overwrite metadata that recovery software could have used.
Can CHKDSK repair a RAW drive safely?
CHKDSK often refuses to run on a RAW volume. More importantly, it is a repair tool that modifies the source. Recover or image the data before attempting any repair.
Is Disk Drill free for RAW drive recovery?
Disk Drill Basic can scan plus preview results at no cost. On Windows it can recover up to 100 MB. Unlimited recovery requires a paid PRO license.
Why should I create a disk image before scanning?
An image captures readable sectors onto healthy storage. You can scan that copy repeatedly without placing the original drive through several long reads.
Can I recover files to the same RAW drive?
No. Saving files back to the source can overwrite other recoverable data. Use a separate physical disk with enough free capacity.
Will recovery software keep my original filenames?
It may preserve names plus folders when enough file-system metadata survives. Signature carving usually produces generated filenames because it identifies file contents without relying on directory records.
What is raw file carving?
File carving searches disk sectors for recognizable headers, footers, plus internal patterns. It can find content without a working file system, though original names or folder paths are commonly lost.
Can these tools recover a RAW SSD?
They can scan an SSD, but TRIM may have cleared deleted blocks after data loss. If those blocks have been erased internally, consumer software cannot reconstruct their former contents.
Can BitLocker-encrypted RAW drives be recovered?
Sometimes, provided the encryption metadata remains readable plus you have the password or recovery key. UFS Explorer, R-Studio, plus some Disk Drill configurations can work with supported encrypted storage, though severe metadata damage complicates the case.
What if the RAW drive is not shown in Disk Management?
Try another known-good cable, port, enclosure, or computer. If the disk is still absent, shows zero capacity, or reports the wrong size, DIY recovery software is unlikely to help.
Should I scan the partition or the whole physical drive?
Scanning the whole physical device is usually safer when the partition is missing, RAW, or incorrectly sized. It lets the software search beyond the currently listed volume boundaries.
How long does a RAW drive scan take?
A healthy small drive may finish fairly quickly, while a multi-terabyte disk can take hours. USB speed, scan type, bad sectors, processor load, plus the number of signatures all affect the time.
Does a successful preview guarantee recovery?
A preview is one of the best checks available, though it is not an absolute guarantee. Open several files of different types plus sizes, especially the items that matter most.
Is PhotoRec good for a RAW hard drive?
Yes, especially when the file system is too damaged for normal reconstruction. It is free, but expect generated filenames, missing folders, duplicates, plus substantial manual sorting.
Is DMDE safe for beginners?
Its recovery operations can be used safely if files are copied to another disk. Its partition editor plus write functions require caution, so beginners should avoid making source-drive changes.
Can software recover a clicking hard drive?
A clicking or grinding drive may have mechanical damage. Turn it off. Repeated scanning can worsen the condition, so valuable data should be handled by a professional recovery lab.
Can a RAW drive be repaired after file recovery?
Often it can be repartitioned plus formatted after every needed file has been recovered plus verified. Replace the drive if health checks show bad sectors, unstable reads, or other hardware warnings.
Should I try more than one recovery program?
Yes, but scan a disk image rather than repeatedly scanning an unstable source. Different tools reconstruct damaged metadata differently, so a second scan can reveal better folders or additional file types.
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