Summary: Is your system showing disk unknown not initialized issue? Wondering, Does initializing a disk erases data on Windows? Most, importantly, how to protect your data? Don’t worry, read ahead to get an answer.
Hard disk issues haunt you on a daily basis. Indeed, these are troubles with which none of you want to deal with. But, as you all know problem does not come with a knock, same is the case here.
One such error is: “disk 0 (1 or 2) unknown, not initialized, unallocated”
Often, it comes without a knock. But, when it comes it puts you in an awry state by generating a query whether to proceed with instruction or cancel it.
So, if you are also facing such situation and thinking what do initialization does to a hard disk? Then, your search ends here. Explore this comprehensive walkthrough for all your initialization apprehensions.
Initialize disk means to erase the data on a disk and make it usable.
Typically, Windows asks you only a brand new disk initialization, which you haven’t used at all. Moreover, Windows generates “initialize” function request only when it fails to find the valid partition table.
However, there are certain factors such as faulty hard drive, non-standard partition configuration, migration between different storage controllers, and more, that also creates it. And, at that time it is an issue namely, disk unknown not initialized issue.
Broadly speaking, there are two major reasons:
So, what to do? How to tackle the situation?
An adequate strategy to resolve this error without losing data is to back up the data and initialize.
But, what, if your data is not visible?
The best recommendation, in this case, count on data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery- Standard for Windows. This software is capable enough to restore the data from the uninitialized hard drive that too with utmost security and integrity. Next, after data recovery, you can easily initialize your disk.
The overall functionality of this software is very simple. With hands on its 3-simplified step, you can easily recover your lost, deleted, or inaccessible data with 0% compromise. Firstly, Download, Install, and Register the software, next follow these steps.
Steps are:
Step 1: Select
Step 2: Scan & Preview
Step 3: Recover
This completes the process to recover data from disk that is creating an initialization issue.
Now, you can initialize it without any worry.
The Process to Initialize the Disk is as Follows:
Apart from the above specific situation, you can also use this efficient, secure, and reliable data recovery software in several other scenarios.
Striking ones are:
Useful Tips:
In comparison to the other hard disk issues, the disk unknown not initialized issue is not as common as it does not occur more prominently. But when it happens, it creates the urge to recover the data. And, to cater this request especially in Windows, trusted software like Stellar Data Recovery- Standard is a viable choice. The reason being, its quality, features, simple operability, fast processing, and user-friendly GUI.
Isha is a technical blogger and data recovery expert. She has experience in Windows data recovery. She writes about technical tips and tutorials.
The disk unknown not initialized issue is not as common as it does not occur more prominently. This article clears all my doubts about when to initialize the disk etc. Very useful article.
This blog can be easily understandable to someone from a nontech background. Thanks a lot.
my external HDD says not initialize. i have data on it and the partition is lost. when i using recover lost partition process aborted suddenly how can fix. Thank you.
Hello Mesfen,
We would suggest creating an image of the hard drive. The drive could have several bad sectors due to which the application is unable to complete the volume search.
It is also recommended to avail data recovery services for the faulty hard drive
Wow! I like to read your blog. Is it possible that I looking for how to initialize a disk. I follow your Instruction and securely data recover. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful information sharing.
Hello Sherif,
Thanks for sharing your feedback with us.