Losing files, generally photos, documents, and other data. This guide describes the basic principles of data recovery. I hope you can put them into practice. If you have any questions, send them to us via our feedback form.
Let’s take a closer look at three major data recovery scenarios on your computer:
Emptying the recycle bin
files permanently deleted from a hard disk formatting
PC recovery software:
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
- Piriform Recuva
Are all types of files recoverable in your computer?
Not all, but a lot.
After deleting a file, it remains on a hard disk. The value 0 is assigned to the file table. This means that space is free and can be used to write any other data.
In this way, a file is hidden from your eyes, but it can be restored unless overwritten. By the way, you can recover overwritten files, but some parts may be damaged.
How to evaluate the chances of recovery?
The probability of data recovery depends on a number of factors. Check the following:
If your files have been deleted without going through the recycle bin (Shift+Del) or formatting
The time elapsed since the deletion of your files on the PC: the longer it is, the greater the probability that they would be overwritten.
Deleted data type: some elements (images, videos) can be partially recovered, while others you cannot recover them even if one of their bytes has been lost Type of data storage: HDD/ SSD, RAID, etc.
Type of file system: NTFS / FAT / exFAT and others. With any luck, you will be able to recover your files in whole or in part.
How to restore deleted files permanently from recycle bin (useful for beginners)
In general, after deleting files with the Delete key, they are moved to the trash, a temporary memory, where they are stored for 30 days, then automatically deleted. If you change your mind, confirm that you have deleted some really important files, check Recycle Bin and restore all files from there.
- Open the trash via the Desktop or Explorer shortcut
- Choose the files/folders to restore: Click Restore on the shortcut menu.
- All deleted files will be sent back to their location
How to recover files from empty recycle bin:
Even after emptying the files from the recycle bin, they are not deleted from the PC in an irreparable way (see above). However, you will need some utilities and the time needed to recover your data successfully.
All recovery tools work similarly by scanning the file system on your computer to look for files marked as deleted.
Recovering files after formatting
Now let’s move on to tougher cases. Formatting affects not only single files but the whole hard drive partition. As result files are lost for good. But is there a hope to retrieve deleted files on the computer after that?
After quick format – yes
After full format – minimal
How to restore files on the computer after formatting
Which software can we get files on a hard drive?
As a matter of fact, there are many HDD recovery apps for the desktop. We would not suggest you have a good time.
We listened to three applications for computer file.
1. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Main features of the app:
- User-friendly Interface. Data Recovery Wizard is combined with the Windows file system. Because to the built-in Recovery Wizard, it is very easy to operate.
- Protected Recycle Bin. Unlike a basic Recycle Bin, this one allows you to recover files.
- Handling difficult cases. Ability to restore files removed bypassing Recycle Bin (Shift + Delete key), after formatting.
Recuva is a free software to recover files from PC. Recovering data with Recuva is simple, and it does not make you pay for basic features or removal of limitations. The most important features of this app are:
- Recuva Wizard
:Recuvaoffers Recovery wizard for the first time users. You specify file type (say, images), where you expect them to be found.
- Deep Scan
:Byactivating this option you improve your chances to recover deleted data
- Visual aspects: All found files are marked. The color of the markings denotes the likelihood of recovering the files: high, average, low. A quick preview is provided for photos.
DiskDrill is a new product on the market. It can be used to recover lost files stored on a personal computer: images, music, video, documents, archives. There are versions of this tool for both Windows and Mac OS. No matter what Os you use, 100MB of data can be restored freely.
Other features of DiskDrill:
Selecting the type of data to recover. Only the types that will be in the search results can be selected. Filter by attributes and flexible search for data are available too.
Pause and continue scan at any stage. A nice feature for wide HDD / SSD.
Write protection. Enabling this option for the time you want to make sure your files will not be overwritten.
Losing our files is always a trouble. But here are some methods which you can use to recover you accidentally deleted files. However you have to do the recovery as soon as possible in order to recover without problem.