Shared NTFS Partition – After updating Ubuntu nautilus the Windows file system became corrupt

Introduction

The shared NTFS partition is a convenient way to access data from both Windows and Ubuntu operating systems. However, sometimes updating one of the operating systems may cause issues with the shared partition. In this case, updating Nautilus to version 3.18 caused corruption in the Windows file system, resulting in data loss. This blog post will explore the possible solutions to recover the lost data and fix the corrupted file system.

Causes of the Problem

The corruption of the Windows file system may have been caused by several factors. One of the most common reasons is the improper shutdown of the system. If the system is not shut down correctly, it may result in data corruption. Another reason may be a virus or malware that infects the file system. Additionally, updating the Nautilus version to 3.18 may have caused compatibility issues with the Windows file system, leading to data loss.

Options for Recovering the File System

There are several options for recovering the file system and retrieving the lost data. The first option is to use data recovery software. There are many data recovery software available, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and MiniTool Power Data Recovery. These software can scan the corrupted file system and recover the lost data.

Another option is to use the Windows built-in tool, System File Checker (SFC). SFC can scan the system files and repair any corrupted files. To use SFC, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will start the scanning process, and any corrupted files will be repaired. However, SFC may not always be able to fix the corrupted file system.

CHKDSK is another built-in Windows tool that can be used to fix the corrupted file system. CHKDSK scans the file system and fixes any errors it finds. To use CHKDSK, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type “chkdsk /f” and press Enter. This will start the scanning process, and any errors will be fixed. However, CHKDSK may not be able to recover the lost data.

Rebuilding the File System

If the above methods fail to fix the corrupted file system, the next option is to rebuild the file system. This process involves formatting the partition and creating a new file system. However, this will result in the loss of all data on the partition. Therefore, it is essential to backup all data before proceeding with this option.

To format the partition, open the Disk Management tool in Windows and right-click on the partition. Select “Format” and choose the file system type, such as NTFS. Click on OK to start the formatting process. Once the partition is formatted, create a new file system by following the prompts.

Preventing Future Issues

To prevent future issues with the shared NTFS partition, it is essential to follow some best practices. Firstly, always shut down the system correctly and avoid abrupt power loss. Secondly, ensure that the system is free from viruses and malware by using a reliable antivirus software. Thirdly, avoid updating software without checking for compatibility issues. Lastly, backup all important data regularly to prevent data loss in case of any issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shared NTFS partition is a convenient way to access data from both Windows and Ubuntu operating systems. However, updating software may cause compatibility issues with the file system, resulting in data loss. The best way to recover the lost data is to use data recovery software or built-in Windows tools such as SFC and CHKDSK. If these methods fail, rebuilding the file system by formatting the partition may be the only option. To prevent future issues, follow best practices such as proper shutdown, virus protection, and regular data backup.

It sounds like the NTFS partition may have become corrupted after upgrading Nautilus on Ubuntu. Some options for rebuilding or recovering the filesystem include using data recovery software, such as Recuva or TestDisk, to try to recover the missing files.

Another option would be to use a live CD or USB of Ubuntu to try to repair the filesystem using the ntfsfix tool. However, it’s important to note that these methods may not guarantee successful recovery of the missing data, and it’s always a good idea to have a backup of important files in case of data loss.

• You can also try booting into Windows and running the “chkdsk” command on the NTFS partition. This command can help detect and fix any errors on the partition.
• Try booting in to Ubuntu and run the command “sudo ntfsfix /dev/sdX” where X is the drive letter of the NTFS partition.
• If you have important files, you can try to use a data recovery software like “R-studio” or “EaseUS Data Recovery” to recover the lost files.
• If the above methods fail, the last option would be to use a professional data recovery service.
• If the above methods don’t work, it may be necessary to restore the partition from a backup or lose the data permanently.

It’s important to note that as the NTFS partition is shared by both Windows and Ubuntu. It’s possible that the partition is still corrupted even though you were able to access the data. So, it’s recommended to take a backup of the data before attempting any further recovery or fix process.

To increase the chances of total recovery, shut down Windows immediately.

Continuing to use Windows on the PC with the affected partition may overwrite clusters, making recovery less likely.

Next, boot into Ubuntu and unmount the shared partition.

Use a disk cloning tool such as Clonezilla to create a duplicate copy of the volume.

Then, on Ubuntu, install the free Open Source apps TestDisk and PhotoRec.

After that, remount the shared partition and use TestDisk to search for recoverable data on the NTFS partition, followed by PhotoRec.