Make lost file and deleted data recovery easy by using data recovery utilities.
Have you ever pulled an all-nighter to get that project completed only to have your computer crash and the all too important files sent to oblivion? Or, have you deleted a file or folder just a bit too soon. Fortunately nothing is permanently deleted from a computer. Short of formatting your computer’s hard drive there are few ways to permanently delete files or folders. And, while you may not be able to find lost files easily on your own there are programs available to recover the lost data.
Data Recovery Utilities
Programs such as DiskInternals Uneraser, Undelete, PC Inspector File Recovery and more programs are available free for download. These programs specialize in finding file information even when the header is no longer available. Data and file recovery programs support a variety of file formats including zip files, documents, music and more. You can also find file recovery tools for specific file types to increase your chances of finding a specific file. For example DOC Regenerator will be more adept at restoring Microsoft Word documents than a generic file recovery program.
Don't Touch that Computer
It is important to limit the use of your computer when you have lost a file. The chances of recovering a file decrease over time as well as with excess use of the hard drive where the file is located. The more work you continue to do on your computer after losing a file adds more and more information to the hard drive forcing the deleted file’s information to become more spread out and potentially irretrievable. For this reason use caution when downloading and installing file recovery programs to recover a deleted or lost file.
If it is possible use a different computer to locate and download the file recovery tool of your choice. Some file recovery tools can be run directly from a disk and will not need to be downloaded to your computer at all. For programs that do require installation you should install on a different hard drive if feasible. This will help keep your hard drive as close to its state at the time the file was lost as possible.
Alternate Uses for Data Recovery Tools
Many file recovery programs offer additional features. PC Inspector, for example, can track down and permanently delete any pesky file or folder leftovers that could potentially be recovered by others. This security feature allows you to remove sensitive material from your computer without formatting the drive.