How To Recover Data From RAW Drive on Windows

A RAW drive is a storage device with a corrupted or unrecognized file system. 

As a result, Windows often prompts users to format the drive. However, formatting the device would erase the saved data, which means it is rarely the right option.

Thankfully, there are several methods to fix RAW drives without formatting. This step-by-step guide outlines how to recover data from RAW drives and what to avoid to prevent the problem from getting worse.

What You Need To Know: 

• Most RAW drives are caused by logical errors, and not physical damage, so your data is likely intact.
• CHKDSK and many third-party tools will not work on RAW drives.
• Continued use of a RAW drive could overwrite original data. Shut down the device to maximize the odds of a full recovery. 
• Professional assistance could be required in some cases. If you are dealing with critical files, request help from an expert before attempting any fixes.        

What It Means When the Type of File System is RAW

A file system marked RAW indicates that the PC cannot read data on the storage device.

File systems provide hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) with an organized structure for stored data. By default, Windows uses Microsoft’s NTFS format, but it also supports other file systems, such as exFAT or FAT32.

When the computer does not recognize the type of file system, the PC labels it as RAW in Disk Management. 

The following issues can cause a drive to appear as RAW: 

• Improper ejection or sudden shutdown leading to file corruption
• Aging hardware with bad sectors or blocks
• Invalid formatting
• Inconsistent connection
• Malware infections
• Software conflicts like failed updates and corrupted drivers

Windows typically alerts you when it encounters a RAW drive. 

Common error messages for RAW drives include:  

• You need to format the disk in drive X: before you can use it. Do you want to format it?
• This volume does not contain a recognized file system.
• The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.
• X:/ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect. 

Editor’s Note: X: is a placeholder for the assigned drive letter of the RAW hard drive or SSD. 

Fortunately, personal data frequently still resides in a drive’s free space with a RAW file system. 

You will need to adopt a careful approach to recover data from a RAW drive, though. 

CHKDSK Is Not Available for RAW Drive

Running CHKDSK, a built-in Windows tool to repair file corruption, might seem sensible at first. However, CHKDSK is not a solution for RAW drives because it cannot interpret their file systems. Therefore, it cannot scan the drive for logical errors or address the underlying problems.       

Editor’s Note: Have you already run CHKDSK on the device? See our blog about a Windows drive converted to RAW after CHKDSK.  

How To Fix RAW Drive Without Formatting

The troubleshooting steps are shown in order of ease. Start with the first method and progress through the list until you fix the RAW file system.

First: Rule Out Connection and Hardware Errors

Inspect cables and ports for a loose connection. Detection issues sometimes appear as a RAW drive due to similar symptoms. Firmly and safely reseating connectors can help Windows detect a healthy drive. 

Also, connecting the drive to a different computer could eliminate the current PC as a potential source of the problem. A damaged storage controller on the desktop or laptop might cause a connected drive to register as RAW. A faulty USB controller may lead to an external hard drive not showing up or appearing as RAW.

To confirm detection and status on the current system, if using a separate computer is not possible: 

1. Type Command Prompt in the Windows search bar.
2. Right-click the match and select Run as administrator.
3. Type diskpart and press Enter. 
4. Click Yes when prompted.
5. Type list disk to identify all detected drives.
6. Type select disk # to target a drive. (Note: Replace # with a number from the list.)
7. Type list volume to confirm the drive’s status.
8. Type exit to leave DISKPART.   

These simple checks take seconds to complete, so they are worth trying. Even if nothing works, the 

Editor’s Note: Did the drive only become RAW shortly after a Windows Update? If so, you can uninstall Windows Update as another option.      

Method 1: Update or Reinstall Driver

Corrupted or outdated drivers can cause Windows to misread the file system as RAW. Reviewing drivers is the best place to begin because it is the least invasive method.

To update drivers of a RAW drive: 

1. Press the Windows key and X together to open the Quick Link menu.
2. Choose Device Manager from the list.
3. Expand the Disk drives section.
4. Right-click the affected drive. 
5. Select Update driver in the context menu.
6. Choose the Search automatically for drivers option.

If Windows installs a new driver, then restart the computer and see if the file system returns to normal.

You could uninstall and reinstall the drive if Windows does not find an update for it.

To reinstall drivers for a RAW drive: 

1. Press the Windows key and X at the same time to view system tools.
2. Select Device Manager from the menu.
3. Open the Disk drives section.
4. Right-click on the RAW drive.
5. Choose Uninstall device. 
6. Click Uninstall to confirm.
7. Restart your PC.

Open File Explorer to determine if Windows reinstalled the driver on reboot. If the RAW drive still shows 0 bytes, try updating the drivers in Device Manager again.

Move on to the next step if the drive is not detected.       

Method 2: Assign New Drive Letter

Windows can fail to mount drives on occasion. When that happens, a drive might display a RAW status, but the file system remains intact.

Changing the drive letter forces Windows to remount the device. If successful, the drive could resume functioning. 

To assign a new drive letter for RAW storage: 

1. Press the Windows key and X simultaneously to open the Quick Links list.
2. Click Disk Management in the menu.
3. Right-click the RAW device and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
4. Click Change.
5. Assign a new drive letter to the device.
6. Click OK to confirm.

Launch File Explorer to check the RAW drive’s status after changing its letter.              

Editor’s Note: Do not try to mount the RAW drive repeatedly. Each attempt could make file corruption worse and reduce the odds of a full recovery.  

Consult our data recovery services if you are not comfortable risking your files with further DIY efforts. Our SSD and hard drive recovery experts have decades of experience retrieving data from RAW drives. We can help restore your data as well. Standard service features free diagnostics and no-risk quotes.     

Method 3: Use Data Recovery Software

Editor’s Note: Using file recovery software on a damaged or defective drive could result in permanent data loss. Physical damage demands hard drive repair in a certified cleanroom. Severe corruption often requires advanced tools and techniques, such as file carving. Assess the value of your files before running a program on a RAW drive.     

Sometimes, data recovery software is an effective option for RAW drives, but the situation must meet a few conditions.

Data recovery software uses algorithms to detect and resolve logical errors. If the software’s scripts do not recognize the drive’s file system, the device cannot be scanned. Confirm the software supports RAW recovery before buying a license.

In addition, these tools cannot fix RAW drives with physical damage. In many cases, they can make data recovery even more challenging. Software cannot repair a disk with scratched platters or an SSD with a failed controller. And, while logical issues are the primary reason for RAW drives, they are not the only cause.

If you are confident these shortcomings do not apply, then a software tool could work on a RAW drive.

SecureRecovery® for Windows and Mac features robust algorithms that can address a corrupted file system or unknown volume to restore data. The user-friendly tool guides you through each stage of the data recovery process and offers a free preview of recovered files.                     

Professional RAW Drive Recovery

For complete peace of mind, Secure Data Recovery offers professional data recovery services for RAW drives that contain essential files.

We have decades of experience and expertise across a wide range of storage mediums, file systems, and failure types. Need external drive recovery for a device showing a RAW file system in Windows? Our certified engineers have specialized hardware and software to recover data from a RAW drive. Plus, we back our work with a risk-free process and a No Data, No Recovery Fee guarantee.  

Call us at 800-388-1266 or fill out our online form to get a free quote and reclaim what matters most.