How to recover lost data?

Data Recovery
1

I accidentally deleted some important files from my computer. I haven’t backed them up and need to recover them urgently. Can anyone recommend reliable data recovery software or methods? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

If you’ve accidentally deleted some important files from your computer and haven’t backed them up, don’t panic. There are a few methods and software options you can try to recover your lost data. Based on personal experience and the experiences of many others in the tech community, here’s a structured approach you can follow:

Immediate Actions to Take:

  1. Stop Using the Affected Drive:

    • Continued use can lead to the old data being overwritten, making recovery increasingly difficult. So, minimize any activity on the drive where the data was lost.

  2. Check the Recycle Bin:

    • This might seem basic, but sometimes we’re in such a rush that we overlook the obvious. If the files are there, just restore them.

Using Data Recovery Software:

There are several reliable data recovery tools on the market. Based on the urgency and need for reliability, here are some suggestions:

Disk Drill

Disk Drill Screenshot
Disk Drill Software1536×902 221 KB
:

  • Pros:

    • User-friendly interface and easy to navigate.
    • Supports a variety of file systems including NTFS, FAT32, EXT, and even some uncommon ones.
    • Recovers over 400 file types, which is pretty comprehensive.
    • Offers a preview of files before recovery so you can selectively restore what you need.
    • Efficient performance with a high success rate in recovering data.

  • Cons:

    • The free version has some limitations, requiring a paid upgrade for more advanced recovery options.
    • Although it supports many file types, the scan can take quite a while, especially if the disk has been used extensively.

How to Use Disk Drill:

  1. Download and install Disk Drill from their official website.
  2. Open the program and select the drive from which you want to recover files.
  3. Use the “Scan” feature to search for deleted files.
  4. Once the scan is complete, browse through the list of recoverable files and select the ones you need.
  5. Click on “Recover” to restore your files.

Competitor Mention:

While Disk Drill is highly recommended, it’s worth mentioning a few other competitors briefly:

  • Recuva: Known for its simplicity and efficiency, but might not be as feature-rich as Disk Drill.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Quite comprehensive and user-friendly, but can be a bit pricey.
  • Stellar Data Recovery: Great for professional uses and supports a wide range of file types and devices, although its interface is a bit more complex.

Additional Methods:

  1. Use Built-in System Restore:

    • If your files were system-related or regularly backed up via restore points, you might recover them by rolling back your system to a previous state.
    • Access this by going to Control Panel > System and Security > Restore your computer to an earlier point.

  2. Check for Previous Versions:

    • Right-click on the folder that once contained the lost files.
    • Select “Restore previous versions” and check if Windows has saved any snapshots from before the deletion.

  3. Command Prompt:
    Sometimes using CMD can help in recovering files, especially if they have been hidden inadvertently.

    • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
    • Type chkdsk X: /f (Replace X with your drive letter) and press Enter.
    • Then type ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.* and hit Enter. This can fix some logical errors and bring hidden files back.

  4. Professional Services:

    • If the data is critical and none of the above software works, consider contacting professional data recovery services. They can be expensive but are often very effective.

Final Thoughts:

The ability to recover lost data largely depends on how quickly you act and the extent of use the affected drive has seen since the files were deleted. In future, make it a habit to regularly back up your data to avoid similar situations. Using cloud services or an external hard drive for backups can save a ton of headaches down the line.

Hope this helps! And remember, each piece of software has its own strengths and might be more suitable for different scenarios.

3

Hey there! I see you’re in a tight spot with losing those essential files. Hang tight; it’s not all doom and gloom. There’re plenty of ways to get back what you lost. Following on @techchizkid’s advice, let me offer some additional insights and alternatives.

Immediate Actions and Secondary Checks:

  1. Shut It Down:

    • I can’t stress this enough - stop using the affected drive immediately. Even trivial tasks like browsing or saving new files can overwrite your lost data, making recovery harder.

  2. Automatic Backups:

    • Double check if your system has any auto-backup features. For example, Windows sometimes backs up files to OneDrive if you have it configured. Similarly, MacOS users should check Time Machine.

  3. Check with Software Recovery Options:

    • As techchizkid mentioned, tools like Disk Drill (see https://www.disk-drill.com/) are stellar, but different scenarios call for different tools. Allow me to elaborate on a few others:

More Data Recovery Software:

PhotoRec & TestDisk:

  • Pros:

    • Free and open-source software developed by CGSecurity.
    • Excellent for various file formats, especially multimedia files.
    • Can recover data from multiple platforms – Windows, Mac, Linux.

  • Cons:

    • The UI isn’t exactly user-friendly and might be intimidating for beginners.
    • Requires some tech-savvy to operate effectively.

How to Use PhotoRec:

  1. Download and run PhotoRec from the CGSecurity website.
  2. Select the drive in question.
  3. Choose appropriate options to start the scan.
  4. Review the list of recoverable files, and save them to a separate location.

Hardware Solutions:

  1. Remove the Drive:

    • If you’re looking at multiple failed attempts with software and the data is critical, consider physically removing the drive and connecting it to another computer. This helps to avoid further writes to the disk.

  2. Boot from a Different Drive:

    • Use a secondary drive or USB to boot your system. This keeps your primary storage untouched, minimizing the risk of overwriting your lost files.

  3. Hardware-Level Recovery Tools:

    • If files are still elusive, you may need to resort to hardware-level recovery tools like data recovery docks, which clone the drive bit-by-bit, ensuring nothing gets overwritten in the process.

Exploring Other Software Options:

MiniTool Power Data Recovery:

  • Pros:

    • Simple and intuitive interface.
    • Supports recovery from multiple devices like SSDs, USB drives, etc.
    • Free version available with limited recovery capability.

  • Cons:

    • Recovery success rate may not be as high for more obscure file types.
    • Some advanced features are locked behind a paywall.

Professional Data Recovery Services:

Sometimes, the DIY route may not cut it. When data is irreplaceable, professional help might be warranted. Yes, it can be pricey, but when you value your data, it’s often worth it. Some things to keep in mind:

  • Pick a service that specializes in your drive type and scenario.
  • Reviews and credibility matter a lot in this regard – look them up.
  • Obtain an estimate upfront to avoid any billing surprises.

Preventative Measures:

Once you retrieve your lost data, take steps to avoid similar agony in the future. Here are few tips:

  1. Regular Backups:

    • Set up regular backups either on the cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud) or external drives. A simple schedule can save you a world of hurt.

  2. Version Control & Storage Automation:

    • Use software that offers version control, like some professional document editing and storage services. This way, even if you delete, you can revert to an earlier saved version.

  3. Utilize Recovery Partitions:

    • Consider setting up a recovery partition on your drive. Many modern volumes are equipped with this feature by OEM providers.

In the end, remember, chances of recovery heavily depend on how swiftly and aptly you act. Now go get those files back, champ!

4

Stop stressing for a sec about losing those files. I’ve been in this mess before, and you have to act quickly. What @codecrafter and @techchizkid said is solid advice, but here’s some more avenues you might not have considered yet.

Proactive Measures: When Disaster Strikes

  1. Disconnect and Freeze:
    First things first, stop all activity on the affected drive, like RIGHT NOW. Adding or altering anything can overwrite the data you want back. If you can, disconnect the drive. Step away from the keyboard, seriously!

Data Recovery Software Options

If Disk Drill isn’t doing it for ya, there are other routes. I like Disk Drill too for its versatility and user-friendliness. BTW, you can check it out at https://cleverfiles.com/lp/data-recovery-software.html - it’s pretty powerful and can handle a lot of tricky situations. But let’s talk alternatives:

1. R-Studio

  • Pros:

    • Advanced features, great for professionals and tech enthusiasts.
    • Supports a wide range of file systems including obscure ones like ReiserFS.
    • Network recovery capabilities.

  • Cons:

    • Interface not beginner-friendly.
    • Might be overkill for casual users-or-too complex, sorry.

2. Puran File Recovery

  • Pros:

    • Lightweight and portable.
    • Free for home use, which is a big plus.
    • Deep scan option for thorough recovery.

  • Cons:

    • Not as polished as paid software.
    • Limited support for specialized file types.

Hardware Solutions & Professional Input

Long-term parking data issues? Consider these:

1. Hard Drive Enclosures:

Remove your drive and put it in an external enclosure. Hook it up to another computer for recovery tasks. While cumbersome, sometimes it’s worth separating the problem child from the rest of your system.

2. Cold Storage:

Weird hack, but placing a failing drive inside a ziplock and freezing it has worked for some. This can temporarily fix some mechanical issues, giving you a window to recover data. Use it as a last-resort like swimming with sharks - only if you’re fearless and desperate.

3. Professional Services:

If your data is beyond grasp, go professional. Note: This can get pricey, so weigh the importance of the data against the cost. They often have clean room environments to physically recover drive platters, which is way out of a DIY scope.

Safety Nets and Continual Back-ups:

Prevent future heartbreak, man. Let me just say, RAID systems and cloud backups are lifesavers. Running like:

1. RAID Systems:

With RAID, you mirror data across multiple disks - zero data loss if one dies. RAID1, RAID5, or RAID10 are your friends.

2. File Synchronizing Tools:

Tools like Goodsync or Syncthing keep your directories mirrored across machines or drives. Real easy insurance for whenever the next oopsie happens.

3. Snapshot Services:

Services like ShadowProtect Desktop or Veeam let you take snapshots of your entire system at intervals. So if stuff goes sideways, you can restore to a point before the disaster.

Everything Else in Between:

Also, don’t underestimate:

Network & Cloud Recovery:

  • Network Attached Storage (NAS): Recovery tools often support finding old versions on NAS. Or if you were using a cloud service like Dropbox (with extended version history), that may save your bacon.

Command Line Magic:

Sometimes a little nerding out with CMD can be fruitful. While @techchizkid mentioned some lines already, interactive scripting like PowerShell can make the command process less cryptic.

Closing Up: Backup Routes Effectiveness:

Moving forward? Make backups a reflex action.
Set up simple, scheduled backups—one local, one somewhere else. Think: external drives, another PC, or the cloud. You’ll thank yourself someday.

Final Words:

Take quick, decisive action, and don’t be afraid to try several solutions. Whether you stick to Disk Drill or any of the alternates, remember to validate files before clicking ‘recover’. Mixing up religiously backed-up data and risky glazed donuts of lost files can yield delight upon recovery.

Don’t drag your feet. Jump on it right away.