Computer File Recovery Software — Complete Guide
Effortlessly recover deleted, lost, corrupted, and formatted files from computer drives. This page provides a vendor‑neutral overview, best practices, and step‑by‑step instructions for Windows and macOS. No download links — pure educational content.
Have you Lost or Deleted Files from your Computer?
If your files vanished due to accidental deletion, formatting, or file‑system errors, act quickly: stop using the disk, avoid installing apps to the affected drive, and follow the steps below to scan and restore safely.
- Deleted or missing files and folders
- Formatted / reformatted drives and partitions
- Corrupted, RAW, or unmountable volumes
- Emptied Recycle Bin / Trash recovery
- Preview recoverable files before saving
File Recovery on Windows
Windows uses NTFS and FAT file systems. Malware, improper shutdowns, or power outages can corrupt the file system and make your data inaccessible. Use a read‑only scan to locate recoverable items.
Typical Windows Scenarios
- Recovery after file system corruption (FAT16/32, NTFS/NTFS5)
- Restore files deleted from Recycle Bin
- Bring back data from corrupted or RAW disks
- Laptop recovery: Asus, Acer, HP, Dell, Toshiba & more
Requirements: Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2003, 2008.
Why Windows Data Gets Lost
File system corruption, virus attacks, sudden power failures, or abrupt reboots can lead to inaccessible partitions and missing files. A deep scan lists recoverable items and lets you preview them before saving to a safe location.
File Recovery on macOS
Typical macOS Scenarios
- Recover from HFS+, HFSX, FAT16, and FAT32 volumes
- Restore after accidental format / reformat
- Retrieve data from deleted partitions / volumes
- Recover after emptying the Trash
- Works on Mac mini, iMac, MacBook Pro/Air
Requirements: macOS 10.5+ (Leopard to High Sierra and later).
Refuses to Mount?
When a volume won’t mount, a read‑only scan can still enumerate files. Use preview to verify integrity before restoring to another disk.
How It Works — Safe Recovery Steps
Step 1 — Stop Writing to the Affected Drive
Prevent overwriting. Avoid new downloads, installs, or file copies to the same device where data was lost.
Step 2 — Choose the Correct Scan
For quick deletions, start with a quick scan; for formatted/RAW disks, run a deep scan that reads the whole surface.
Step 3 — Review Results by Data View or File Type View
Browse by original folder structure or by formats (photos, documents, archives, media). Use filters to narrow results.
Step 4 — Preview & Verify
Open previews to confirm content is intact before recovery, especially for images, videos, and office files.
Step 5 — Save to a Different Disk
Always restore to another physical drive to avoid overwriting remnants on the source device.
Hot Topics
FAQ — File Recovery Basics
How soon should I start recovery?
Immediately. The longer you use the disk, the higher the chance of overwriting deleted data.
Will recovery work after a full format?
If the disk wasn’t zero‑filled and sectors remain intact, deep scanning may still find recoverable records.
Is TRIM on SSDs a problem?
Yes, TRIM can permanently clear blocks. Act fast and avoid writing to the SSD.
Can I recover from external drives?
Yes — USB HDDs/SSDs, memory cards, and cameras are supported as long as the OS detects the device.