ReFS is known for improved security and efficient data storage features, but it can’t possibly offer 100% protection for important data, considering a huge variety of things that may cause a data loss. This article covers a benchmark test of data recovery tools to see how they deal with ReFS drives.
Introduction
Resilient File System (aka ReFS), codenamed “Protogon,” is a new Microsoft file system designed to ensure maximum availability of data, effective scalability with large volumes of information at various workloads, and provide data integrity based on better resilience to damage.
The main structural elements of the new file system are B+ trees. All elements of the file system structure are of single-level type.
The main structural element of the file system is the “Directory” presented in the form of a B+ tree with the key as a number of the folder object.
“Leaf” directories are typified records. For a folder object, there are three main types of records: a directory descriptor, an index record and a nested object descriptor.
Further in the directory, you can find the so-called index entries: short structures with the data on the elements contained in the folder. The last elements are directory items’ records. For folders, these elements contain the name of the folder as well as the folder identifier in the “Directory” and the structure of the “standard information”. For files, the identifier is missing but instead, the structure contains all the basic data about the file including the root of the B+ tree and file fragments. Hence, a file can consist of almost any number of chunks.
Although ReFS is characterized by improved security and efficient data storage features, it can’t protect important information entirely from accidental deletion, virus attacks, or other things that may cause a data loss. You have to consider the probability of such issues in the future, and get ready with a reliable utility that would be able to fix problems with deleted files.
The best solution for such cases should be a specialized data recovery tool.
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Benchmarking data recovery tools
Let’s test a few of the top data recovery tools to see how they deal with ReFS drives.
For our benchmarking assessment, we have selected several popular data recovery tools such as Hetman Partition Recovery, RStudio, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and UFS Explorer. Initially, we were planning to test more products, but after studying them more closely, it appeared than only a few of them support ReFS. That is why we had to dismiss tools like Recuva (one of the most popular user choices), DiskDrill, Stellar and Ibeesoft.
As it turns out, they can’t handle ReFS volumes.
All right, let’s begin. There’s a computer with Windows Server installed on it, and we’ve created a test disk with ReFS file system. Let’s copy some data there – for example, photos, videos, documents. Remove some of the files and shutdown the computer.
We will perform the tests on another computer running Windows 10. Let’s connect the ReFS drive there and start the testing with the first tool on the list, Hetman Partition Recovery.
By the way, Windows 10 is able to recognize ReFS without any extra software or drivers.
Removing a part of data
Testing Hetman Partition Recovery
Let’s start the first program for the test, Hetman Partition Recovery. It can recognize the disk, detect its file system and display its name properly.
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