Data Undelete
On drives that frequently reach well over a terabyte in their size these days, it is easy to understand how files can be accidentally deleted. With so many files on a hard drive, the file explorer can take on a labyrinthine appearance. Without a definite plan as to how files are going to be laid out, they tend to get mashed up together in a random smattering of folders. As time passes and users change, this chaos becomes almost impenetrable. When folders are deleted to make room for new data, it is very much plausible to believe that essential files could be accidentally deleted.
A user has just emptied the Recycle Bin when they gasp in horror, remembering a crucial file that was located there. How can that file possibly be recovered? It may seem totally beyond reach. Fortunately, with the help of data undelete software, that file can be safely rescued and brought back in its original form. All it takes is a simple download and a few minutes of the user’s time. The best of these utilities does not even cost anything. As an open source project, TestDisk features some of the best capabilities on the market while remaining completely free.
Simply install TestDisk and run a scan of the hard drive. A long list of deleted files will probably appear. Just look through the list and find the file that was accidentally deleted. When this is done soon after the accident, it should be simple to restore the file. After some time has passed, however, the file may be more difficult to recover. Data undelete software like TestDisk, however, has a number of abilities that can help even under these circumstances. In its RAW recovery mode, TestDisk can scan a hard drive for pieces of a file, putting them back together again.
How can this be done? When an operating system marks a file for deletion, it simply waits until more space is needed to overwrite that original segment. No erasing is done when a file is first deleted. This gives users a window in which the file can be recovered. As more space is needed, overwriting can occur, gradually destroying the integrity of the file. RAW recovery mode allows pieces of the original file to be rescued, restoring what has not been overwritten yet. Avoid any file operations after an accident. When the hard drive is almost full, it is best to disconnect it and run TestDisk from another hard drive. The installation of TestDisk itself could end up overwriting the lost data if the drive is particularly full.
Other data undelete utilities include File Recovery Wizard and Undelete Plus. There is a large selection of free tools available, so paying for such software should only be done if very advanced features are required.
Filed under: Data Undelete