Individual skill
analyzing-mft-for-deleted-file-recovery
Analyze the NTFS Master File Table ($MFT) to recover metadata and content of deleted files by examining MFT record entries, $LogFile, $UsnJrnl, and MFT slack space using MFTECmd, analyzeMFT, and X-Ways Forensics.
internal/tools/skills/data/digital-forensics/analyzing-mft-for-deleted-file-recovery/SKILL.md
Source commit d42f381ad34843e71a42658e5c57290c713e85af
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- Last checked
- Nov 7, 2026
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- Repository last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
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- cybersecurity Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- bug-bounty Repository topic
- automation Repository topic
- autonomous-pentesting Repository topic
- ai-agent Repository topic
- ai-security Repository topic
- ethical-hacking Repository topic
- golang Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- mft Declared skill tag
- ntfs Declared skill tag
- deleted-files Declared skill tag
- file-recovery Declared skill tag
- mftecmd Declared skill tag
- usn-journal Declared skill tag
- logfile Declared skill tag
- mft-slack-space Declared skill tag
- file-system-forensics Declared skill tag
- dfir Declared skill tag
- writing Derived category
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# Analyzing MFT for Deleted File Recovery
## Overview
The NTFS Master File Table ($MFT) is the central metadata repository for every file and directory on an NTFS volume. Each file is represented by at least one 1024-byte MFT record containing attributes such as $STANDARD_INFORMATION (timestamps, permissions), $FILE_NAME (name, parent directory, timestamps), and $DATA (file content or cluster run pointers). When a file is deleted, its MFT record is marked as inactive (InUse flag cleared) but the metadata remains until the entry is reallocated by a new file. This persistence makes MFT analysis a primary technique for recovering deleted file evidence, reconstructing file system timelines, and detecting anti-forensic activity such as timestomping.
## When to Use
- When investigating security incidents that require analyzing mft for deleted file recovery
- When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain
- When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type
- When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques
