TestDisk vs Windows Backup
TestDisk
cgsecurity.orgWindows Backup
support.microsoft.comSide by side
| Figure | TestDisk | Windows Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · SD card recovery software | 8.5 (#12) | 7.9 (#26) |
| Spec score · Photo recovery software | 8.5 (#12) | 7.9 (#24) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | The maker lists Windows, Windows Server, Linux, Mac OS X, DOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and SunOS among supported systems. | windows |
| Purpose | TestDisk helps recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again when the cause is faulty software or human error. | Windows Backup backs up files, themes, settings, installed apps, and Wi-Fi information to help move items to a new PC. |
| Support | Users can request support through the forum by posting a problem description, the testdisk.log file, and information about previous partitions. | The Windows Backup page provides support instructions and links to Microsoft support topics for OneDrive sync problems and backup settings. |
Plans
In their own words
TestDisk
TestDisk is free, open-source software for recovering lost partitions and helping disks boot again when faulty software or human error causes the problem. It can repair partition tables, recover deleted partitions, rebuild or restore FAT and NTFS boot sectors, fix FAT tables, and repair an MFT using its mirror. For file recovery, it can undelete files from FAT, exFAT, NTFS and ext2, or copy files from deleted FAT, exFAT, NTFS and ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions. Listed partition-recovery formats also include APFS, HFS+, XFS and ZFS. It works with hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, disk images, DAS, SAN and Linux RAID devices. The portable application is used by extracting its files; no installer is required. Listed operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD and SunOS. TestDisk is licensed under GNU GPL v2 or later. The maker says it does not connect to the internet or send information about the user, computer or data. The download page lists version 7.2 dated February 22, 2024, and 7.3-WIP as beta.
Windows Backup
Windows Backup is a file backup and restore utility included with Windows PCs. It can back up files, themes, settings, installed apps, and Wi-Fi information to help move items to a new PC. Users can sync Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music folders to OneDrive, and choose settings such as accessibility, accounts, personalization, and language preferences. During setup of a new PC or reinstalled Windows, signing in with the same Microsoft account lets users choose a backup to restore. Microsoft Store apps can be restored from their pins; apps not available in the Store link to a web download. The app is intended for personal Microsoft accounts, not work or school accounts. A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, and more can be purchased. Personalization preferences require OneDrive sign-in and available storage. Windows Backup supports Windows 10 and Windows 11; Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025. The plan costs nothing.