Top 10 Tips & Tricks for DiskGenius (PartitionGuru)DiskGenius (formerly PartitionGuru) is a powerful Windows utility for partition management, data recovery, disk cloning, and more. Whether you’re a sysadmin, technician, or power user, these ten practical tips will help you get the most from DiskGenius, avoid common mistakes, and recover data safely and efficiently.
1. Always start with a full disk image before risky operations
Before modifying partitions, formatting, or attempting recovery that writes to disk, create a full disk image. DiskGenius can create sector-by-sector images so you can restore the entire drive if something goes wrong.
- Why: Imaging preserves the original state and prevents further damage when recovery attempts fail.
- Quick steps:
- Connect a destination drive with enough free space.
- Open DiskGenius → Disk → Clone Disk or Disk → Save Partition to Image.
- Choose “sector-by-sector” for a complete copy when recovering from severe corruption.
2. Use read-only mode for initial scans
When recovering files or scanning a damaged partition, use DiskGenius’s read-only or “load” features so the tool doesn’t write to the original disk.
- Benefit: Minimizes risk of overwriting recoverable data.
- Tip: Preview files before recovery — DiskGenius allows previewing many file types (images, documents) so you can confirm integrity before extraction.
3. Prefer partition recovery over file recovery if structure is lost
If the partition table is damaged or a partition is missing, start with partition recovery rather than file-level recovery. Restoring the partition may recover many files with their original paths and timestamps.
- Use: Tools → Partition Recovery to search for lost partitions.
- Note: Multiple scan methods are available (fast scan, full scan). Use full scan for complex cases.
4. Pay attention to file system types and adjust scan settings
DiskGenius supports NTFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, EXT2/3/4 and more. When scanning, set the correct file system or enable a deeper raw recovery if the FS is unknown.
- Practical: For RAW partitions, enable “search for file system” and use “Recover files by file type” (RAW recovery) if metadata is destroyed.
- Caution: RAW recovery can produce many fragments and unnamed files — sort by file size and preview before saving.
5. Use the “Recover to Image” option for fragile drives
If a drive is failing (clicking, unstable SMART), use DiskGenius’s option to recover files directly into an image file rather than saving to another physical disk. This reduces stress on the failing device.
- How: When recovering, choose to save recovered data into an image file (.img) stored on a healthy drive, then mount or extract from that image later.
6. Repair filesystem structures carefully — and only when confident
DiskGenius can repair MFT (NTFS), FAT tables, and boot sectors. These repairs can fix many problems but can also cause further damage if used wrongly.
- Best practice:
- Work on an image or a copy, not the original.
- Use “Check & Repair Bad Sectors” after imaging to identify physical issues.
- For MFT repair, try read-only recovery first; only repair when you have a complete backup or image.
7. Use cloning for OS migration and SSD upgrades
DiskGenius can clone a system disk to another drive while adjusting partitions to fit. It offers options for SSD optimization and alignment, making it useful for migrating Windows installations.
- Steps:
- Disk → Clone Disk.
- Enable “Align partitions to optimize for SSD” when cloning to SSD.
- If the target is smaller, use “Clone system partition only” or resize partitions during cloning.
8. Recover deleted files quickly — and know where they go
When files are deleted, stop using the affected partition immediately. Use DiskGenius’s file recovery feature to scan the free space and recover deleted files to a different drive.
- Tip: Save recovered files to a separate disk — never back onto the source.
- Filtering: Use file type filters (e.g., jpg, docx, db) to speed up scans and focus results.
9. Use sector editor and hex viewer for advanced diagnostics
For advanced users, the built-in sector editor and hex viewer let you inspect boot records, partition tables, and file headers. This can reveal corruption, correct misaligned partitions, or manually reconstruct metadata.
- Example uses:
- Inspect MBR/GPT entries to confirm partition start/end sectors.
- Verify file signatures when recovered files lack extensions.
- Warning: Editing raw sectors can cause irreversible damage; work on images.
10. Keep the software updated and use logs for troubleshooting
DiskGenius receives updates that add support, fix bugs, and improve recovery algorithms. Always use the latest version for best compatibility. Use logging features when working on difficult recoveries and include logs when asking for support.
- Where to check: Help → About DiskGenius or visit the official site for updates.
- Logs: Enable detailed logs before long operations; they help diagnose failures and speed up support.
Notes on licensing and safety
- DiskGenius offers free and paid versions. Free edition has many capabilities, but some advanced functions (full partition recovery, cloning to different-sized disks, deep repair tools) may require a paid license.
- For critical data, consider professional recovery services if initial attempts don’t succeed — improper operations can reduce chances of successful recovery.
If you want, I can convert these tips into a printable checklist, create step-by-step instructions for a specific recovery scenario (NTFS MFT damage, deleted partition, SSD migration), or draft a short video script demonstrating the top 5 actions.
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