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29 April 2025  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
 

Summary
The article discusses the challenges and solutions related to data recovery from ReFS (Resilient File System) partitions on Windows.



Table of contents

table iconUnderstanding ReFS and Data Loss
table iconSolution 1: Recycle Bin
table iconSolution 2: Prior Backups
table iconSolution 3: Data Recovery Software
table iconConclusion
Microsoft has gradually phased out ReFS partition creation from most Windows versions, yet many users still depend on the Resilient File System for its robust data protection. While ReFS was built to prevent data loss—with features like automatic error-checking and repair—it’s not foolproof. Files can still disappear.
Microsoft introduced the Resilient File System (ReFS) with Windows Server 2012, aiming to improve data reliability, performance, and scalability for modern storage needs. In 2017, its support in consumer versions of Windows 10 was limited to enterprise and data center scenarios.
The good news? Recovery is often possible. In this article, we’ll break down how ReFS data loss happens and walk through your best options for getting those files back.

Understanding ReFS and Data Loss

ReFS was built with resilience in mind, offering automatic fixes for data corruption without manual intervention. However, users can still experience data loss due to:
- Accidental deletion or overwriting
- Formatting errors
- Power outages during write operations
- Hardware failures – Malware attacks
While ReFS reduces the likelihood of corruption-related data loss, it’s not immune to other types of data loss. Thankfully, effective recovery methods exist.
ReFS (Resilient File System) developed by Microsoft, is a cutting-edge file system designed to enhance data integrity and fault tolerance. It safeguards data using metadata integrity checks and automated repair mechanisms. Unlike traditional file systems, such as NTFS/Ext4/…, ReFS does not rely on log-based recovery functionalities. Consequently, if data loss occurs, it cannot be restored using log information embedded within the file system.

Solution 1: Recycle Bin

Remember, if you deleted files by mistake in Windows, you should try to recover it in Recycle Bin first.
The first place to check for lost files is the Recycle Bin. Files deleted from internal ReFS partitions often end up here, making recovery straightforward:
1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on your desktop.
Windows Recycle Bin
2. Locate the file or folder you want to restore.
Restore PPT files from recycle bin
3. Drag and drop the file to a new location.

Solution 2: Prior Backups

If the Recycle Bin doesn’t contain your lost files, the next step is to check your backups.
Backups can be from:
- Cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox
- Manually created backups on external drives
- Backups automatically created using the File History feature
backup drive

Solution 3: Data Recovery Software

When preventive techniques and backups fail, specialized ReFS data recovery software can be invaluable. Renee Undeleter is a professional data recovery tool that can help you retrieve lost or deleted files from your computer. It is user-friendly and offers a high success rate for file recovery. With support for around 400 file formats, Renee Undeleter simplifies the recovery process with its modern interface and file system-based recovery capabilities.

Option1: Using Renee Undeleter

1. Download, install, and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

2. Select the [ Fast Partition Scan ] option in the main interface.
Renee Undeleter, select Fast Partition Scan
3. Select the partition where the lost data is located, and click [Next].
select partition to scan for fast partition scan
4. Select the [Fast Scan] option and click the [Next] button to scan.
Select Fast scan in Fast Partition Scan
5. Wait for the scan to complete.
You can double-click the file to preview, then check the files that need to be recovered, and click the [ Recover ] button to recover the files to other disks.
preview before recovery
Using a professional software like Renee Undeleter can greatly increase your chances of successful file recovery. It is important to note that the longer you wait to use this method, the lower your chances of successful recovery become.

Option 2: QPhotoRec

QPhotoRec is a great free alternative to Renee Undeleter if you need to recover unlimited files from an ReFS partition but don’t mind a few compromises in speed and ease of use.
Since QPhotoRec is essentially a simplified GUI for PhotoRec, it supports the same wide range of file formats—about 300 file types, not just photos—by scanning the ReFS partition sector by sector and matching known file signatures.
However, there are some limitations: you can’t preview files before recovery, and the tool automatically recovers everything it finds. This means you’ll need a destination drive with plenty of free space, especially if you’re working with a large ReFS partition.
Here’s how to recover data from an ReFS partition using QPhotoRec:
1.Download the TestDisk archive from its official website (it also contains PhotoRec and QPhotoRec).
photorec and testdisk download
2. Extract the TestDisk package and double-click to run QPhotoRec.
3. Pick the drive where your ReFS partition is located.
4. Select “Whole Partition” when prompted for scan options.
5. Choose where to save your recovered files (make sure you have enough free space!).
6. Hit the Search button and let QPhotoRec do its thing.
qphotorec recovery windows 10
While QPhotoRec’s recovery process is just as straightforward as Renee Undeleter’s, the lack of file previews and selective recovery means you’ll need more time—and a lot more storage space—to get your files back.

Conclusion

Even though ReFS has built-in data protection features, data loss can still happen. If preventive measures like the Recycle Bin or backups don’t work, using specialized ReFS recovery software is usually the best—and sometimes only—solution. Tools like Renee Undeleter and QPhotoRec can effectively recover lost data from an ReFS partition. Renee Undeleter provides a smoother, more user-friendly experience with better performance, while QPhotoRec is a free alternative that recovers unlimited files—though with some trade-offs in usability and speed.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!