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Thread: Can I get windows or my files back?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    3

    Can I get windows or my files back?

    I installed Ubuntu 20.04 on a laptop that had Windows 10 on it. During installation I chose LVM because I thought that would just create a partition with unused space and not overwrite everything. Is there anyway to get windows to boot again or recover any of my files from the HD?

    Thank you

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    72

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    That you chose the LVM option means that the installer encrypted the harddrive. This means that you can't recover the files.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
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    92

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    LVM doesn't necessarily entail encryption, but selecting an installation option which says "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" necessarily entails erasing the disk.

    So, harvster, you're looking at reinstalling Windows. Data files you'll have to restore from backup. If you don't have backups ... no comment.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2010
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    3,232

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    Use your backups. Did you make backups before making such a drastic chnage to the system?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    SW Forida
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    Hidden!
    Distro
    Kubuntu

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    A Linux install is relatively small and files are scattered over the entire partition.
    I believe encryption is only encrypting the data, not the unallocated space.
    You may then have some files that were not overwritten and can use tools that scan drive for anything that looks like a file.

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DataRecovery
    http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step

    But those that use Windows have said Windows tools typically work better for NTFS partitions.
    Some are not free, like photorec.

    You can download Windows from Microsoft. And if you install in UEFI boot mode, your product key is in the UEFI. But Windows does not include all the drivers you may need, so you have to go out to your vendor's support page & download any extra drivers or support files you need.

    https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pa...AT-Progs-1.0.4
    Windows free recovery software - new 2020 Supports NTFS, FAT, exFAT and ReFS file systems
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/wi...eek:verviewtab
    An alternative Windows data recovery program is Recuva -- and it is free
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2247461
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.p...0#post13086950
    You could start by using Recuva -- to see what it finds. If it doesn't work, you should then try RecoverMyFiles -- to see what it finds.
    NTFS file recovery suggestion by Mark Phelps (not free but works)
    http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...12&postcount=4


    Older info, not sure if still better or not.
    For NTFS - GetDataBack often recommended
    Caution: getdataback is not the same and is a scam.
    UEFI boot install & repair info - Regularly Updated :
    https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2147295
    Please use Thread Tools above first post to change to [Solved] when/if answered completely.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    3

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    I did not choose to erase the disk or to encrypt the drive. And no, I don't have backups but, there is nothing of great value on the disk so I wasn't too concerned. I'm swapping out the old HD for an ssd so I thought I would just put it back to it's original windows configuration if possible. Thank you for the suggestions and advice.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Beans
    92

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    Quote Originally Posted by harvster View Post
    I did not choose to erase the disk ...
    Sorry, but you did. Before you reinstall Windows, run the Ubuntu installer again. (Nothing to lose at this point.) LVM is a sub-choice of Erase & Install.

    Edit: Forgot to mention. LVM generally isn't recommended for newbies. If you try Ubuntu again, use a conventional partition scheme. Can be dual boot with Windows if you like.
    Last edited by pbear42; August 3rd, 2020 at 10:53 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Maine
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Lubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

    Re: Can I get windows or my files back?

    Note: Never click 'yes', 'continue', 'submit', press the 'enter button' in a terminal window, etc. without knowing exactly how the computer is going to interpret the input. Always keep current backups, with a good backup strategy that includes off-site storage.

    Following those two rules will make your computing experience much better. It may seem laborious and time-consuming, but it's a lot less effort and time consuming than recreating data, reinstalling operating systems, or the likes.

    It's a little late for that now - but that doesn't mean you can't start doing this going forward.

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