Software and tips to help you restore a hard drive and recover data from fixed and removable disks.
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Deleted/Formatted Data Recovery
Recovering Deleted Files from Hard Drives
We all, on occasion, delete a file from our hard drive unintentionally or because we think we don't need it any longer. If we send it to the Recycle Bin it's quite easy to get it back because it isn't gone at all. It hasn't even moved - only it's directory entry information (the path and filename) has been moved to a "holding" folder and is completely intact.
By opening the Recycle Bin, right-clicking on the file and choosing restore, or dragging the file out of the bin to a new location you'll have it back as-good-as-new. But what happens when the recycle bin is emptied, or we use a program that bypasses the recycle bin and directly deletes a file?
Fortunately, even though the file seems to have disappeared, it really hasn't. Again, Windows changes the file's directory entry, but this time marks the file's space as being available for use. In this case, it is very important to not install any software or create any new files before trying to recover the file.
Getting the file back will require you to use a third party file recovery utility. If you don't already have this software installed on you computer, don't attempt to do so yet, as this might overwrite the deleted file you're trying to recover. If you have access to another PC, download a reputable file recovery program (such as those offered on this website) and follow the instructions to create a bootable CD.
Start your system with the CD in the drive and pick the appropriate method of undeletion. The software will scan the drive and find the deleted files which you can then recover. You will have to copy the recovered files to a separate partition (if you have one) on your hard disk or to a removable media such as a USB thumb drive or external hard drive to prevent overwriting the previously deleted data.
Recovering Deleted Files from Removable Drives or Media
Deleting a file from removable media, such as a USB thumb drive, directly deletes the file rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin. When this happens, we can recover the file by running data recovery software from within Windows, rather than a boot CD. Simply choose the correct drive letter in the software, pick the options and let it scan the drive. Then choose the file you want to restore.
Recovering Formatted Drives or Partitions
What if you accidentally format the wrong partition or even the only partition on a disk? You've just wiped out all the files on that drive, haven't you? Well guess what, your stuff is still there!
Contrary to popular belief, formatting does not destroy data. Simply put, it erases the records of the file locations, not the actual files. They are still there on the drive, just waiting to be rescued and should be recoverable using a recover boot CD as mentioned above.
If you not only formatted the partition, but re-installed Windows, you probably overwrote a number of the files that were on the drive. Still, it's worth trying to recover what you can, and it's always possible that your most important data wasn't overwritten.
We all, on occasion, delete a file from our hard drive unintentionally or because we think we don't need it any longer. If we send it to the Recycle Bin it's quite easy to get it back because it isn't gone at all. It hasn't even moved - only it's directory entry information (the path and filename) has been moved to a "holding" folder and is completely intact.
By opening the Recycle Bin, right-clicking on the file and choosing restore, or dragging the file out of the bin to a new location you'll have it back as-good-as-new. But what happens when the recycle bin is emptied, or we use a program that bypasses the recycle bin and directly deletes a file?
Fortunately, even though the file seems to have disappeared, it really hasn't. Again, Windows changes the file's directory entry, but this time marks the file's space as being available for use. In this case, it is very important to not install any software or create any new files before trying to recover the file.
Getting the file back will require you to use a third party file recovery utility. If you don't already have this software installed on you computer, don't attempt to do so yet, as this might overwrite the deleted file you're trying to recover. If you have access to another PC, download a reputable file recovery program (such as those offered on this website) and follow the instructions to create a bootable CD.
Start your system with the CD in the drive and pick the appropriate method of undeletion. The software will scan the drive and find the deleted files which you can then recover. You will have to copy the recovered files to a separate partition (if you have one) on your hard disk or to a removable media such as a USB thumb drive or external hard drive to prevent overwriting the previously deleted data.
Recovering Deleted Files from Removable Drives or Media
Deleting a file from removable media, such as a USB thumb drive, directly deletes the file rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin. When this happens, we can recover the file by running data recovery software from within Windows, rather than a boot CD. Simply choose the correct drive letter in the software, pick the options and let it scan the drive. Then choose the file you want to restore.
Recovering Formatted Drives or Partitions
What if you accidentally format the wrong partition or even the only partition on a disk? You've just wiped out all the files on that drive, haven't you? Well guess what, your stuff is still there!
Contrary to popular belief, formatting does not destroy data. Simply put, it erases the records of the file locations, not the actual files. They are still there on the drive, just waiting to be rescued and should be recoverable using a recover boot CD as mentioned above.
If you not only formatted the partition, but re-installed Windows, you probably overwrote a number of the files that were on the drive. Still, it's worth trying to recover what you can, and it's always possible that your most important data wasn't overwritten.
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