Users often make the mistake of deleting files that are important because they are busy finding and figuring out things that are to be deleted. There are cases in which files that should not be deleted are deleted and in this scenario, you would think that it is totally gone. However, the file, software, or other forms of files are still present in your hard drive and can be recovered using recovery software. Here are few of the free and considered to be best in data recovery.
Here’s a list of some of the best free data recovery software available for recovering lost or deleted files:
Free version lacks advanced features, but it’s sufficient for basic file recovery. Website : https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva
Disk Drill (Windows/macOS) Disk Drill is the software you want to have if you want a self-explanatory and so easy to use software for recovery. The simple layout of Disk Drill will make you feel like a pro because of what the software does for you.
Best for : Recovering lost files from formatted or corrupted drives with an easy-to-use interface.
Key Features :
Recovers data from a variety of storage media including hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. Provides a free 500MB recovery limit on the Windows version. Offers partition recovery and helps recover lost or hidden files. Features file preview before recovery. Limitations :
The free version only allows up to 500MB of file recovery on Windows, no data limit on scanning. Website : https://www.cleverfiles.com/disk-drill.html
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/macOS) Best for : Easy recovery of accidentally deleted files with a simple interface.
Key Features :
Recovers files from PCs, laptops, and removable drives. Supports recovery of deleted, formatted, and inaccessible data. Allows users to preview files before recovering. Free version allows 2GB of data recovery. Limitations :
Free version has a limit of 2GB recovery; you’ll need to upgrade for more. Website : https://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm
Undelete 360 (Windows) Using Undelete 360 is just like using an ordinary Microsoft Office application. Yes, the layout seems pretty simple and sophisticated, and it does great in recovering your files as well. It works on a variety of devices such as cameras, USBs, phones, drives, etc. It recovers different types of files such as HTML, DOC, mp3, mp4, JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.
Best for : Quickly recovering recently deleted files from storage devices.
Key Features :
Supports recovery from hard drives, USBs, and memory cards. Easy-to-use interface. Provides quick and deep scan options. Free for personal use. Limitations :
Interface is simple but outdated. Limited advanced features compared to competitors. Website : http://www.undelete360.com/
PhotoRec (Windows/macOS/Linux) Best for : Recovering a wide range of file types from hard drives, memory cards, and other storage devices.
Key Features :
Open-source and free to use. Supports recovery of over 400 file formats including documents, photos, videos, and more. Works even with severely damaged or formatted drives. Bundled with TestDisk , a companion tool to repair damaged partitions. Limitations :
No graphical user interface (GUI); runs through the command line, which might not be user-friendly for everyone. Website : https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec
Puran File Recovery (Windows) Best for : Users looking for a simple and fast recovery tool with deep scan options.
Key Features :
Offers both a quick scan and deep scan option to find deleted files. Allows users to recover data from formatted drives. Completely free for personal use. Shows recoverable files in a list, allowing preview before recovery. Limitations :
Only available on Windows. Interface is a bit outdated. Website : http://www.puransoftware.com/File-Recovery.html
SoftPerfect File Recovery (Windows) Best for : Lightweight, portable recovery software for basic file recovery.
Key Features :
Portable (no installation required). Recovers files from hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. Supports FAT and NTFS file systems. Simple and easy-to-use interface. Limitations :
Lacks advanced features (e.g., partition recovery, deep scan). No file preview available. Website : https://www.softperfect.com/products/filerecovery/
Wise Data Recovery (Windows) Best for : Fast and efficient data recovery from internal and external storage devices.
Key Features :
Allows quick scanning and recovery of deleted files. Supports file recovery from hard drives, USBs, and other removable devices. Offers both quick and deep scans. Free version allows recovery of basic files. Limitations :
Free version lacks advanced recovery options, like partition recovery. Website : https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-data-recovery.html
MiniTool Power Data Recovery (Windows/macOS) Best for : Recovering files from formatted drives or lost partitions.
Key Features :
Recovers lost or deleted files from various storage devices. Supports data recovery from damaged partitions and formatted drives. Free version allows recovery of up to 1GB of data. Limitations :
Free version has a 1GB data recovery limit. Website : https://www.minitool.com/data-recovery-software/free-for-windows.html
Windows File Recovery (Windows) Best for : Users comfortable with command-line tools for recovering files.
Key Features :
Official Microsoft tool for recovering deleted files from NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and ReFS file systems. Works on files deleted from internal and external drives. Requires Windows 10 version 2004 or later. Limitations :
Command-line based, which may not be user-friendly for everyone. Website : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-file-recovery/9n26s50ln705
For beginners : Recuva and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard are highly recommended for their user-friendly interfaces.For advanced users : PhotoRec (open-source) and TestDisk offer powerful recovery options for advanced users who don’t mind a command-line interface.For macOS : Disk Drill and EaseUS provide comprehensive recovery options. Choose based on your needs, the amount of data you need to recover, and the platform you’re using.
Among the few more free data recovery software out there in the market, these for me are the best and the easiest to use software for recovering files from your drives, smartphones, cameras, flash drives, memory cards, etc. All you need to do is to connect your device or mount it to the PC which has these, and see the magic for yourself.
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