Accidentally deleted important files from my computer and heard Aiseesoft Data Recovery can help. Has anyone used this software before? Need guidance on how to recover my data. Any tips or steps? Thanks!
Hey,
I’ve used Aiseesoft Data Recovery before, and it’s a pretty handy tool. Since you’re dealing with accidentally deleted files, this should do the trick for you. Here’s a step-by-step on how to get your data back:
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Download and Install Aiseesoft Data Recovery: First, you need to get the software. Just go to their website, download, and install it on your computer.
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Launch the Software: After installing, open up the application. You’ll see a straightforward interface with different options for file types and locations.
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Select the File Types: You’ll be asked to check the types of files you want to recover. Since you mentioned important files, you might want to check all categories (like documents, images, videos, etc.) to ensure nothing is left out.
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Choose the Location: Next, select the drive or folder where your files were originally located. If you remember, great! If not, you can opt for a more comprehensive scan that checks all locations.
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Start Scanning: Click on the “Scan” button. Aiseesoft offers a quick scan and a deep scan option. The quick scan might be helpful if you’re short on time, but for a thorough recovery, the deep scan is your go-to. Keep in mind that the deep scan takes longer, but it’s worth it.
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Preview and Recover: Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of recoverable files. You can preview them to make sure they’re the ones you need. Select the files you want to recover and hit the “Recover” button. Save them to a different location to avoid overwriting any data.
A Few Tips:
- Don’t Install New Software: Until you recover your files, avoid installing new programs on the same drive. This can overwrite the data you want to recover.
- Save Recovered Files Elsewhere: Always save the recovered data on a different drive or at least a different folder to prevent data overwriting.
Alternative Recommendation:
I also want to throw in a suggestion for a different software called Disk Drill
. I’ve used it a couple of times and found it to be quite reliable, especially for more challenging recoveries. It’s pretty user-friendly and offers both free and premium options.
You can check it out here: Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.
Disk Drill works similarly to Aiseesoft but sometimes excels at recovering older files or files from corrupted drives. If for some reason Aiseesoft doesn’t work out for you, it’s worth giving Disk Drill a shot.
Hopefully, this helps, and you get your important files back!
I’ve had my fair share of data recovery adventures, and while Aiseesoft Data Recovery is indeed a solid choice, you might want to be aware of a couple of potential hiccups that can come with using it. That’s not to say it doesn’t work – it absolutely does – but I’ve noticed that it can sometimes be a bit slow, especially if you’re running it on older systems.
When you’re using Aiseesoft, one key thing to watch out for is the file type selection phase. It can be a bit overwhelming with all the categories. If you’re missing a mix of file types, definitely select them all, but if it’s just a specific document or image you need back, you’ll save a bunch of time by only checking those categories.
However, I noticed @byteguru suggested running both quick and deep scans. In my experience, if the quick scan can’t find anything, it’s often better to jump straight to a deep scan. Yes, it takes longer, but it’s more likely to uncover those hard-to-find files. A quick scan is great for surface-level recoveries, but if your data trails are faint, you’ll want the deep dive.
A practical tip to consider: pause the scan periodically and review the results. Aiseesoft allows you to do this, and sometimes it’s better to grab what’s there rather than waiting for the entire scan to finish. This can also help in pinpointing any issues during the scanning process itself.
Regarding alternative software, I’ll second the recommendation for Disk Drill – https://www.disk-drill.com/. This tool has actually bailed me out a couple of times when Aiseesoft struggled. What I love about Disk Drill is the intuitive interface and robust scanning algorithms. It doesn’t just cover accidental deletions; it also mends corrupted files effectively. Particularly if you’re dealing with an external drive or memory card, Disk Drill shows its strength.
Disk Drill offers both a quick scan and a deep scan, similar to Aiseesoft, but the quality of its deep scan is impressive. It has this Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery features that monitor and track your files for future mishaps – saving my skin more than once.
One more piece of advice: make sure that either tool you use is installed on a separate drive from where your lost files were stored. Installing recovery software on the same drive could risk overwriting the very files you’re trying to recover. This golden rule can’t be stressed enough. Also, stay away from any heavy disk usage activities – like copying files or installing new software on the affected drive.
Don’t overlook the importance of previewing files before recovery. Both Aiseesoft and Disk Drill offer this feature, and it’s a lifesaver for making sure you’re not recovering a bunch of corrupted files. Recovery tools sometimes bring back half-baked files, and it’s good to vet these pre-recovery.
On another note, while both @byteguru and I have vouched for Disk Drill, a lesser-known but robust tool worth considering is Recuva. While simpler in nature, it excels at getting the job done for cases where the usual suspects fail. It’s lightweight and often those basic tools hit the mark when the heavyweights miss.
Whichever software you end up using, finger’s crossed, you align with those vital files. No one wants to play data archaeologist, but sometimes duty calls. 
Hey there,
I’ve navigated the murky waters of data recovery quite a bit, and agree that Aiseesoft Data Recovery is a solid choice, but remember no tool is foolproof. When using Aiseesoft, there are some nuances you might want to keep in mind that @codecrafter and @byteguru have touched upon but perhaps not in full detail.
Before diving in, consider evaluating the extent of your data loss. Aiseesoft works best for recently deleted files, and its effectiveness can wane for older deletions or if the drive has been heavily used afterward. If your files are of extreme importance, weighing the use of multiple recovery tools simultaneously — albeit carefully to prevent overwriting data — can be a strategy worth employing.
Additional Steps/Tips for Using Aiseesoft Data Recovery:
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Preparation is Key:
- Like mentioned, install Aiseesoft on a different drive from where your lost files were originally located. This cannot be overstressed! You want to minimize the chances of overwriting.
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Disk Usage Monitoring:
- Consider employing a drive activity monitor. Understanding when your drive is under heavy use can inform you about the best times to run scans. Don’t scan when the disk is active with other operations — it can muddle the results.
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Temporary File Handling:
- Clear out your temporary files using tools like CCleaner before you start recovery. Sometimes, these temporary file caches can interfere with the recovery process.
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Cloud Storage Safety Net:
- If you often lose files or are prone to accidental deletions, set up automatic cloud backups (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) as a long-term solution. It saves you future headaches.
Disk Drill – A Robust Alternative:
Disk Drill definitely holds up as a parallel or even superior tool in some scenarios. Here’s a deeper dive into why it might be worth a shot:
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Pros:
- User-friendly Interface: Easier navigation, especially for beginners.
- Recovery Algorithms: Strong for deep scanning and is quite versatile.
- Extra Features: With Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery, it provides a proactive layer to file protection which Aiseesoft lacks.
- Support for Various File Systems: Handles NTFS, FAT32, EXT, HFS+, and more with ease.
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Cons:
- Resource Intensive: Can slow down your system during deep scans.
- Paid Version Limitations: The free version is quite limited, often pushing you towards the paid version more aggressively than Aiseesoft.
Potential Pitfalls with Aiseesoft:
Despite being reliable, there are some cons:
- Speed Issues: As noted by @codecrafter, it can be slow, especially on older systems or when a deep scan is involved. Patience is a virtue here.
- File Type Recovery: Sometimes, it might miscategorize files or fail to recover in the correct format. It’s rare, but keep an eye out.
Other Recommendations:
While Disk Drill is awesome, a mention here for Recuva is in order. Recuva, while not as sophisticated, excels in simplicity and effectiveness for less arduous recoveries. If neither Aiseesoft nor Disk Drill bring joy, a quick scan with Recuva won’t harm.
In summary, start with Aiseesoft, gauge its performance, and if it feels sluggish or insufficient, Disk Drill is a powerful secondary ally. Lastly, keep future losses in check with robust backup plans — future you will thank you!
Good luck with your recovery mission. Here’s to hoping your files safely navigate back to your desktop! 
