IndxCarver¶
What IndxCarver does¶
Guided SUSA tool journey
IndxCarver supports file-system analysis. In this guide, you will use it to carve directory-index records and distinguish recovered remnants from live entries. The procedure and screenshots provide the practical reference; the surrounding context explains what to record and how to judge the result.
Tool guide at a glance¶
Carve directory-index records and distinguish recovered remnants from live entries.
Verified NTFS training artefacts or a working copy of a training volume image.
A traceable file-system observation correlated by record, path, change reason, or time.
Evidence and safety
Work from copies and retain raw metadata. Do not infer user intent from one timestamp or allocation state. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.
Choose your journey¶
01Understand the evidenceLearn the file-system analysis concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required · 15–25 min 02Follow the IndxCarver guideWork through the commands, screenshots, and instructional sequence below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only · 10–20 min 04Full LabInvestigate an authorised training scenario with fewer prompts and preserve a reviewable result.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab · 45–90 min
How the labs complement this guide
The Interactive Lab is a safe browser simulation for practising the workflow and validation logic. The Full Lab is an independent exercise for an isolated, authorised environment. Confirm the installed tool version and expected output before relying on either exercise in a real case.
Accessing IndxCarver in SUSA¶
IndxCarver (by Joakim Schicht) is a carving tool that scans raw disk data to recover NTFS directory index records (INDX), especially from unallocated space.
Run carving against a verified working copy of an image and direct output to a separate location. Carved records may be incomplete or lack current directory context, so validate important names, references and timestamps against $MFT, allocated directory indexes and other evidence.
Open a command prompt and navigate to C:\Tools\JoakimSchichtTools\.
Clone the GitHub repository by running:
In Command Prompt, navigate to C:\Tools\JoakimSchichtTools\IndxCarver and run IndxCarver64.exe to verify the installation.
