Have you lost important files from your drive? Rest assured - there are several proven ways to recover them. Deleted documents, valuable photos or videos can often be restored with the right software. The key to success is to react quickly and choose the right tool.


Accidental deletion of files is not a sentence. Modern data recovery programs can even cope with formatting the disk or its damage. Learn more about the tools that can help you in such a situation.

How to effectively recover data from a hard drive?

Files disappear from disks for various reasons. Sometimes they are deleted accidentally, other times hardware fails or a virus attacks. The good news is that in most cases the data is still physically on the media. The operating system just "forgets" where it put them.


When you click "delete," the system doesn't erase the file immediately - it just marks the disk space as free for writing. As long as new data does not occupy this space, you have a good chance of restoring the deleted information. That's why it's so important to stop using a particular drive immediately after losing files.


Do not install a data recovery program on the media, from which you want to recover them, as any new writing may irrevocably destroy the lost files. Instead, use another disk or a portable version of the program. Also remember not to try to repair physically damaged media on your own - you may only make things worse.


The easiest to recover are popular formats like Office documents, PDF, JPG or MP3 files. More challenging are encrypted disks or media with mechanical damage. In such situations, it's better to get help from a professional service.


What programs can you use on your own? 


Here are some popular solutions for Windows systems.


EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is one of the most popular programs that will work for both simple and more complicated cases. With this tool you can handle data recovery from SSD drives, memory cards or external media.


What sets EaseUS apart? First of all, the ability to perform a deep scan that will detect even long-deleted files. With a database of more than 1,000 formats, you'll find office documents as well as multimedia or specialized files. A practical feature is also the preview of found files before they are recovered.


Before you decide to buy, you can test the free version. It allows you to recover up to 2 GB of data. The full license is an expense of About 350 zloty for an annual subscription. The tool achieves particularly high efficiency when rescuing photos and videos from memory cards -. you have up to a 95% chance of recovering lost files.

Stellar Data Recovery

Looking for a tool to recover data from damaged drives? Stellar Data Recovery is worth a look. Underneath the user-friendly interface are advanced features - from repairing damaged partitions to restoring data from RAW drives to restoring deleted folders.


Stellar creates disk image before actual scanning. This keeps your data safer, which is especially important when working with unstable media. The program also effectively deals with encrypted partitions and system disks.


For the basic Professional version, you'll pay about $350 per year. In return, you get a comprehensive tool for working with internal, external and removable drives. The Premium version, more expensive by about 100 zloty, also allows you to repair damaged video files and compress disk images.


Stellar does a great job with RAW photos and videos. And it retains the original file names along with the full folder structure. The only downside might be the slow scanning speed - but that's the price for high search accuracy.


Disk Drill 5

How deep can Disk Drill 5 analyze your disk? The program offers two methods: instant for simple cases and detailed - byte by byte - when the situation is more serious.. The latter option gives you a chance to rescue files even from severely damaged media.


This program is relatively easy to use - all the functions are logically arranged, and you will see a preview of the files found before starting the actual recovery.


For starters, try the free version - it will allow you to recover up to 500 MB of data. If you are convinced by the program and want to buy the full version, the expense of about 380 zlotys. In the package you will get unlimited updates and useful add-ons: a disk monitor and a backup system.


The program perfectly handles internal and external drives, memory cards and flash drives. Even corrupt partition tables are not a problem for it. The analysis takes a little longer than its competitors, but its accuracy fully rewards this.


R-Studio 

R-Studio is a program aimed at more advanced users. It deals sensationally with badly damaged disks and allows you to recover data from computers over a network, even if they are in another location and behind a firewall. Thanks to the built-in hexadecimal editor, you can repair data at the level of single bytes.


Another strong point of this program is its cooperation with RAID systems. When a RAID 5 or 6 array is detected, all parameters are selected automatically, although you can also create your own configurations. This is a solution for companies where unusual disk layouts are common. The tool also has a special investigative mode that documents all operations and secures digital evidence in accordance with legal requirements.


When working with the program, you don't have to worry about data security. Thanks to the built-in S.M.A.R.T. module and the backup system, your files will be under constant control.


Thus, for just over 200 zlotys you will get a tool that can handle even the more difficult cases. However, it is quite a difficult program to use, and its interface is not one of the most convenient. For this reason, it works rather well in professional applications.


MiniTool Power Data Recovery

MiniTool Power Data Recovery proves that effective data rescue doesn't have to be complicated. The tool has several well thought-out modes, so it it works well for recovering photos from a memory card, as well as documents from a hard drive or flash drive.


Once the scan is complete, a clear list of files to recover is displayed. This makes it easy to find and select the most important materials.


Before buying, it's worth trying the free version, which saves up to 1 GB of data. A lifetime license, priced at around 420, gives you access to all features along with regular updates. It's a reasonable option for those looking for a reliable yet easy-to-use data recovery tool.


Act before you lose your data forever!

Each program has its own strengths - simple tools will work well for home use, while advanced solutions will cope better with serious failures. For beginners we recommend MiniTool or EaseUS, advanced users will appreciate the capabilities of R-Studio.


What should you do if you lose your data? First of all:

  • immediately stop using the defective drive;
  • Try the free version of the program of your choice;
  • With mechanical faults seek the help of a specialist.

Don't risk losing precious memories and important documents - go for proven solutions.



FAQ - frequently asked questions about data recovery

  • Can deleted files be recovered?

Yes, in most cases it is possible. The system initially just marks the space as available for writing, so if you react quickly, you have a good chance of recovering the data.

  • What are the types of licenses in data recovery software?

The programs offer various licensing models. The most popular are annual (subscriptions) and lifetime (perpetual) licenses. Trial versions with a limit on the amount of recovered data are also available. 

  • Which programs have free versions?

Free of charge you will benefit from:

  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard - up to 2 GB for free;
  • Disk Drill 5 - up to 500 MB for free;
  • MiniTool Power Data Recovery - up to 1 GB for free.

  • Which program is best for beginners?

MiniTool Power Data Recovery because of its simple interface and intuitive operation.

  • Which program handles damaged disks best?

R-Studio offers the most advanced repair features, including a hexadecimal editor and support for RAID systems.