Before we get into how to recover lost data, it’s important to understand what a RAW partition is. Simply stated, a RAW partition is a partition which has not been formatted with the file system recognized by the computer being used.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
For example, most Windows machines use either FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, or NTFS5 file systems. On the other hand, macOS uses APFS, HFS+, FAT32, and exFAT (with read-only support for NTFS). Linux machines use ext3, ext4, BTRFS, ReiserFS, XFS, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
If the problem is compatibility, accessing the drive from a supported OS may be enough. If it’s corruption, however, you may need to repair the file system.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>Is It Possible to Recover Data from a RAW Partition?<\/span><\/h2>\r\nThe good news is that, yes, it is possible to recover lost or inaccessible data from a RAW partition<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n
Even when Windows can no longer recognize the file system, the files themselves may still be intact. Your chances of recovery largely depend on what caused the partition to become RAW and how badly the file system or storage device has been damaged.<\/p>\r\n
If the problem is file system corruption, there are generally two ways forward.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\t- In cases of relatively minor damage, it may be possible to repair the existing file system and regain access to your files without formatting.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\t
- If the corruption is more severe, data recovery software<\/a> can scan the RAW drive, locate recoverable files, and save them to another storage device. And once your files are safely recovered, you can simply format the RAW partition as NTFS and copy your files back.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNote: If your external hard drive has become inaccessible due to corruption, you can also check our guide on how to repair a corrupted external hard drive<\/a>, where we cover additional diagnostic and repair options.<\/div>\r\n
<\/span>Why Do You Need to Convert RAW to NTFS?<\/span><\/h2>\r\nPut simply, you won\u2019t be able to access your data if it\u2019s stored on a RAW partition. The function of a file system (like NTFS) is to logically store your data so it\u2019s easy to retrieve when needed. Without a file system, your data is nothing but an unorganized mess, making it nearly impossible to find anything.<\/p>\r\n
Since computers rely on file systems to locate and access your data, a RAW drive will not be accessible. The data on it may still be intact, but without a working file system, it will remain inaccessible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>How to Convert RAW to NTFS Without Losing Data<\/span><\/h2>\r\nImportant: CHKDSK is designed to repair file system errors, not recover lost files. Even if it successfully recognizes and repairs a damaged NTFS volume, it may modify file system structures, including the Master File Table (MFT) and directory records, potentially causing further data loss. If your files are important, we recommend recovering them<\/a> before running CHKDSK. Also, keep in mind that CHKDSK generally cannot run on partitions Windows identifies as RAW, although there is a limited exception involving NTFS boot sector corruption.<\/div>\r\nIn the best-case scenario, a drive may appear as RAW because relatively minor corruption has damaged the NTFS file system metadata that Windows relies on to recognize the volume. If the underlying NTFS structures are still intact enough to be detected, CheckDisk<\/a> (CHKDSK) may be able to repair them and make the partition accessible again.<\/p>\r\nThis is the simplest option to try when you need to convert a RAW partition to NTFS without losing data, but there is an important distinction: CHKDSK does not actually convert a RAW file system to NTFS; it attempts to repair the existing file system. If the partition is truly unformatted, uses an unsupported file system, or its NTFS metadata is too badly damaged, CHKDSK will usually refuse to run and report that it is not available for RAW drives.<\/p>\r\n
Here\u2019s how to convert a RAW drive to NTFS using Command Prompt (CheckDisk):<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\t- Right-click Start<\/b> and click Terminal (Admin)<\/b>. If prompted by UAC to allow, click Yes<\/b>.
![\"Terminal\"](\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/terminal-1.jpg\")
<\/li>\r\n\t- Type chkdsk D: \/f<\/b>. Replace D:<\/b> with the drive letter of the RAW partition. Press Enter<\/b>.
![\"Running](\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/terminal-2.jpg\")
<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nIf CHKDSK reports that the file system is RAW and cannot run, do not keep repeating the command. Move on to the next fixes below.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>How to Recover Data from a RAW Partition<\/span><\/h2>\r\nSometimes CheckDisk is unable to fix the RAW partition without losing data. If that\u2019s the case, you should recover your data instead before converting the RAW partition back to NTFS manually.<\/p>\r\n
Here are some methods you can use for recovering your data before repairing the troubled drive.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>Solution #1<\/span> Recover Using Disk Drill<\/span><\/h3>\r\nDisk Drill Partition Recovery Tool<\/a> can recover data from a RAW partition in just a few steps. Data recovery tools like this can retrieve files even when the OS can no longer recognize the file system or access the partition normally.<\/p>\r\nDisk Drill scans the drive directly for recoverable file system structures and file signatures, so the partition does not need to be accessible in File Explorer. It doesn’t matter whether you need to recover data from a RAW USB drive<\/a> or an HDD. As long as Disk Drill can access it, you can attempt to scan it.<\/p>\r\nYou can also preview found files before recovery to see what is still recoverable, then restore everything at once or narrow the results with filters and select only the files you need.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>Why Do You Need to Convert RAW to NTFS?<\/span><\/h2>\r\nPut simply, you won\u2019t be able to access your data if it\u2019s stored on a RAW partition. The function of a file system (like NTFS) is to logically store your data so it\u2019s easy to retrieve when needed. Without a file system, your data is nothing but an unorganized mess, making it nearly impossible to find anything.<\/p>\r\n
Since computers rely on file systems to locate and access your data, a RAW drive will not be accessible. The data on it may still be intact, but without a working file system, it will remain inaccessible.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>How to Convert RAW to NTFS Without Losing Data<\/span><\/h2>\r\nImportant: CHKDSK is designed to repair file system errors, not recover lost files. Even if it successfully recognizes and repairs a damaged NTFS volume, it may modify file system structures, including the Master File Table (MFT) and directory records, potentially causing further data loss. If your files are important, we recommend recovering them<\/a> before running CHKDSK. Also, keep in mind that CHKDSK generally cannot run on partitions Windows identifies as RAW, although there is a limited exception involving NTFS boot sector corruption.<\/div>\r\nIn the best-case scenario, a drive may appear as RAW because relatively minor corruption has damaged the NTFS file system metadata that Windows relies on to recognize the volume. If the underlying NTFS structures are still intact enough to be detected, CheckDisk<\/a> (CHKDSK) may be able to repair them and make the partition accessible again.<\/p>\r\nThis is the simplest option to try when you need to convert a RAW partition to NTFS without losing data, but there is an important distinction: CHKDSK does not actually convert a RAW file system to NTFS; it attempts to repair the existing file system. If the partition is truly unformatted, uses an unsupported file system, or its NTFS metadata is too badly damaged, CHKDSK will usually refuse to run and report that it is not available for RAW drives.<\/p>\r\n
Here\u2019s how to convert a RAW drive to NTFS using Command Prompt (CheckDisk):<\/p>\r\n
\r\n\t- Right-click Start<\/b> and click Terminal (Admin)<\/b>. If prompted by UAC to allow, click Yes<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n\t
- Type chkdsk D: \/f<\/b>. Replace D:<\/b> with the drive letter of the RAW partition. Press Enter<\/b>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
If CHKDSK reports that the file system is RAW and cannot run, do not keep repeating the command. Move on to the next fixes below.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>How to Recover Data from a RAW Partition<\/span><\/h2>\r\nSometimes CheckDisk is unable to fix the RAW partition without losing data. If that\u2019s the case, you should recover your data instead before converting the RAW partition back to NTFS manually.<\/p>\r\n
Here are some methods you can use for recovering your data before repairing the troubled drive.<\/p>\r\n
<\/span>Solution #1<\/span> Recover Using Disk Drill<\/span><\/h3>\r\nDisk Drill Partition Recovery Tool<\/a> can recover data from a RAW partition in just a few steps. Data recovery tools like this can retrieve files even when the OS can no longer recognize the file system or access the partition normally.<\/p>\r\nDisk Drill scans the drive directly for recoverable file system structures and file signatures, so the partition does not need to be accessible in File Explorer. It doesn’t matter whether you need to recover data from a RAW USB drive<\/a> or an HDD. As long as Disk Drill can access it, you can attempt to scan it.<\/p>\r\nYou can also preview found files before recovery to see what is still recoverable, then restore everything at once or narrow the results with filters and select only the files you need.<\/p>\r\n
In the best-case scenario, a drive may appear as RAW because relatively minor corruption has damaged the NTFS file system metadata that Windows relies on to recognize the volume. If the underlying NTFS structures are still intact enough to be detected, CheckDisk<\/a> (CHKDSK) may be able to repair them and make the partition accessible again.<\/p>\r\n This is the simplest option to try when you need to convert a RAW partition to NTFS without losing data, but there is an important distinction: CHKDSK does not actually convert a RAW file system to NTFS; it attempts to repair the existing file system. If the partition is truly unformatted, uses an unsupported file system, or its NTFS metadata is too badly damaged, CHKDSK will usually refuse to run and report that it is not available for RAW drives.<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s how to convert a RAW drive to NTFS using Command Prompt (CheckDisk):<\/p>\r\n If CHKDSK reports that the file system is RAW and cannot run, do not keep repeating the command. Move on to the next fixes below.<\/p>\r\n Sometimes CheckDisk is unable to fix the RAW partition without losing data. If that\u2019s the case, you should recover your data instead before converting the RAW partition back to NTFS manually.<\/p>\r\n Here are some methods you can use for recovering your data before repairing the troubled drive.<\/p>\r\n Disk Drill Partition Recovery Tool<\/a> can recover data from a RAW partition in just a few steps. Data recovery tools like this can retrieve files even when the OS can no longer recognize the file system or access the partition normally.<\/p>\r\n Disk Drill scans the drive directly for recoverable file system structures and file signatures, so the partition does not need to be accessible in File Explorer. It doesn’t matter whether you need to recover data from a RAW USB drive<\/a> or an HDD. As long as Disk Drill can access it, you can attempt to scan it.<\/p>\r\n You can also preview found files before recovery to see what is still recoverable, then restore everything at once or narrow the results with filters and select only the files you need.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t
<\/li>\r\n\t<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/span>How to Recover Data from a RAW Partition<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
<\/span>Solution #1<\/span> Recover Using Disk Drill<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
![\"Disk](\"\/howto\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/sidebar-ban-96.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n