How to convert RAW hard drive to NTFS without data loss

If you have data on your RAW drive and need to safely extract files and folders, DO NOT format the disk to any filesystem and create new partitions on it until you are done with data recovery. Formatting and creating new partitions will certainly overwrite some previous data leading to more data loss.

The typical course of actions is to try data recovery software capable of recovering the filesystem (NTFS is the most common) used on your drive. Usually, data recovery software runs in read-only mode, which means that the RAW drive is not subject to even more logical corruption, as would be the case, for example, if an attempt was made to edit the metadata. Read the illustrated instructions on how to recover data from a RAW drive.

After restoring data, you need to format the RAW drive in Disk Management, assign it a drive letter, and then use to store new data. Refer here for the detailed instruction on how to format RAW drive to NTFS.

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