• Retrieve 2000+ file types, including video, audio, documents, archives, photos, etc.
• Offers advanced algorithms for high recovery success.
• You can preview your files before recovery.
• Recover data from NAS storage, SD cards, USBs, hard disks, drones & digital cameras.
• Restores data from corrupted and lost partitions, failing drives, and virus-infected systems.
• Retrieves files from crashed systems and formatted drives.

Here’s how to use this tool to recover lost data from an uninitialized disk:

Step 1: Get the tool, install and launch it on your computer. If you’re using an external disk, the tool will detect it. Choose the disk with inaccessible data or select target file types to recover in the upper-right corner before scanning. Click “Start.”

Step 2: The tool will scan the chosen drive for missing data, allowing you to pause or stop the search anytime you find the files you need. Preview categories like Deleted Files or Lost Location under the Tree View. You can also switch to File View to check for file types like video, documents, etc. Use the Filter for a focused search.

Step 3: Once you’ve recovered your target files, preview and recover them to a safe location.

2.2 Perform Basic Checks

A bad drive connection, poor USB port condition, or a damaged cable may cause the “disk unknown not initialized” error if you’re using an external drive. Begin by unplugging and re-plugging the hard drive into your computer. Then, connect the external hard drive to a different USB port using the original cable.

Alternatively, use a different cable to connect the external hard disk. Another option is to connect the external hard drive to another computer. All of these checks are to rule out any temporary connection, USB cable, or port problems.

2.3 Update Device Driver

If your drive isn’t facing connection problems, an outdated disk driver could be behind the “disk 1 unknown not initialized” error . To fix it, update your disk drive drivers. Here’s how:

Step 1: Head to “This PC,” right-click on it, choose “Manage,” and then navigate to “Device Manager.”

Step 2: Expand “Disk drives,” find and right-click the problematic disk, and pick “Update driver.”

Step 3: Opt for “Search automatically for drivers” and let Windows update the driver. Or you can download the specific driver and choose “Browse my computer for drivers” to install it manually.

Step 4: Afterward, restart your system and check if the external drive shows up as disk unknown, not initialized, unallocated.

Part 3.  5 Solutions to Fix Disk Unknown Not Initialized Easily

Once you’ve recovered data from the uninitialized disk and performed basic checks, go ahead and fix the “disk management unknown not initialized” issue without concerns about data loss. Here are four solutions to try:

3.1 Initialize the Unknown Disk

In case the previous methods don’t fix the ”disk management unknown not initialized” issue, initialize the disk using MBR or GPT. Opt for MBR if you plan to use the drive across an older Windows version. GPT isn’t compatible with Windows versions older than 10. Here’s how to initialize the unknown disk in Disk Management:

Step 1: Head to “This PC,” right-click on it, choose “Manage,” and then navigate to “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Find the hard drive  you want to initialize, right-click on it, and pick “Initialize Disk.”

Step 2: In the popup, select the “unknown, not-initialized disk” and pick either MBR or GPT for partition style. Click “OK” to kick off the initialization process.

3.2 Rebuild MBR

MBR (Master Boot Record) is a partition of your hard drive residing in its first sector. It essentially tells your computer how the disk is divided. Unfortunately, it’s a prime target for viruses that can corrupt it, leading to the “hard drive unknown not initialized” problem. But you can fix this by rebuilding the MBR. Here’s how:

Step 1: Step 1: Type “cmd” in the search bar to launch “Command Prompt” and run it as an administrator.

Step 2: Type the following commands and hit “Enter” after each one:

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 3: Exit the window and restart your PC.

3.3 Run CHKDSK to Repair Disk Errors

You can also run CHKDSK to fix “disk not initialized Windows 10.” It is a tool that helps resolve hard drive issues by checking your external hard drive’s file system integrity. The CHKDSK app evaluates the file system structure, checks for bad clusters, and resolves file name linkage issues. Here’s how to run it:

Step 1: In the search bar, type “cmd,” right-click on it to launch “Command Prompt” and run it as administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command and press “Enter.” Make sure you use the right drive letter:

Chkdsk (enter your drive letter here): /r /f.

Step 3: After the scan, restart your PC and see if you can access the hard drive.

3.4 Professional Help

When none of the methods above solve the “disk unknown, not initialized, unallocated” problem, it could mean your hard disk is physically damaged. Physical damage can lead to serious issues, and specialists are usually needed for tailored solutions. It’s advisable to seek professional assistance for manual repair.

4. How to Prevent Disk 1 Unknown Not Initialized in the Future?

Once you know how to fix the “disk unknown not initialized” error, let’s talk about preventing it in the first place. You can avoid this issue by taking some preventive measures. Here they are:

1. Backup Regularly – Use tools like File History in Windows to regularly back up your data. It can save copies to connected hard drives or accessible network locations.
2. Backup to Multiple Locations – Diversify your backups across multiple locations to ensure redundancy in case of failures.
3. Check Drive Health Regularly – Monitor drive health through S.M.A.R.T. technology, identifying potential issues with your disk.
4. Update Device Drivers – Prevent disk problems by updating device drivers regularly.
5. Scan for Viruses – Regularly scan for viruses to mitigate the risk of infections causing the uninitialized disk issue.
6. Use Good Quality Cables – Use high-quality cables and ports to avoid connectivity problems.

Bottom Line

Wrestling with the “disk 1 unknown not initialized” can feel like a nuisance, especially considering the potential risk of data loss. But before you tackle this issue, it’s crucial to prioritize data recovery. Utilize a tool like 4DDiG Data Recovery to retrieve lost files before proceeding with the six recommended methods. This proactive step will give you peace of mind that, no matter what happens, you won’t lose your valuable data.