Top 5 Free File Recovery Software

Quick Navigation:

• Top 5 File Recovery Freeware
• Steps to Recover Lost Files
• Conclusion

Whether you accidentally emptied the Trash, formatted a thumb drive, or your external hard drive is suddenly acting like it doesn't know you, data loss is a total mood-killer. But don't panic! Before you spend a fortune on professional recovery services, you can actually recover data for free using some pretty "magical" DIY tools.

Here is our hand-picked list of the top 5 free file recovery software to help you get your digital life back on track.

Top 5 File Recovery Freeware

If you're looking for reliable file recovery freeware, these five are the best in the business. Check out the quick comparison below:

Software	Compatibility	Success Rate	Easy-to-Use
Do Your Data Recovery	Windows/Mac	★★★★★	Very Easy
Recuva	Windows	★★★★	Easy
Undelete Plus	Windows	★★★★	Easy
PhotoRec	Windows/Mac/Linux	★★★★	Average
TestDisk	Windows/Mac/Linux	★★★★	Difficult

NO.1 Do Your Data Recovery Free (Windows/Mac)

Do Your Data Recovery Free combines powerful features with ease-of-use. So this free file recovery software can easily recover deleted, formatted or even the inaccessible files from hard drive, USB flash drive, memory card, digital camera or other storage media device. It is also good at recovering lost data from virus-infected hard drive/device, crashed hard drive or deleted/lost hard drive partition. With wizard-based interface, it allows the most newbie to quickly recover lost data from any kind of disaster.

Do Your Data Recovery Free offers both Windows version and Mac version. So both Windows users and Mac users can recover lost data with this powerful file recovery freeware.

This is our #1 pick because it's basically a "wizard" for your files. It's super powerful but incredibly easy to use, making it perfect for home users. Whether it's a virus-infected drive or a crashed partition, this tool handles it with a high success rate.

Best for: Everyone who wants a simple, click-and-done experience.

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NO.2 Recuva (Windows)

Recuva is an easy to understand Windows-based device. When you run Recuva, you can restore missing documents utilizing either the record recuperation wizard or the application's manual mode. The record recuperation wizard is helpful when you're certain your information is gone however you're not exactly beyond any doubt where it went or how to get it back. The wizard gives you a chance to limit your hunt sort to pictures, music, reports, video, or all records, and you can set the inquiry area to wherever on your PC, removable media just, in My Documents, the Recycle Bin, or a predetermined area. In the event that you needn't bother with the wizard you can hop directly into manual mode and get the opportunity to work seeking where you know the document ought to be.

Recuva is a classic free data recovery tool for Windows users. It features a friendly wizard that asks what you lost (photos, music, docs) and where you last saw them. It even gives you a "likelihood" score to tell you if the file is healthy enough to be saved.

Best for: Windows users who like a clear "probability" of success.

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NO.3 Undelete Plus (Windows)

Undelete Plus used to be business programming yet has gone on an extensive "constrained time offer" freeware run. This document recuperation application takes a shot at all renditions of Windows and incarnations of the FAT and NTFS record frameworks. Like Recuva, Undelete Plus allocates a recuperation likelihood to records it finds in light of how harmed the document is. You can sort records by sort, set channels in light of time and size to abstain from filtering through each erased document on your plate, and keep organizer structures in place when you play out your recuperation.

Originally a paid program, this tool is currently available as freeware. It works on all versions of Windows and is great for filtering through massive amounts of deleted files by time and size so you don't get overwhelmed.

Best for: Users who need to find a specific file in a sea of deleted data.

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NO.4 PhotoRec (Windows/Mac/Linux)

PhotoRec is a friend program to TestDisk, additionally incorporated into this Hive Five. Like TestDisk, this application is additionally without a GUI, yet similarly is very capable at record recuperation. We're including PhotoRec autonomously of TestDisk on the grounds that numerous clients particularly lean toward PhotoRec as a more secure option when profound circle recuperation isn't important. This recuperation device won't upset your segments or help you remake your lord boot record; it will, nonetheless, jump into your plates in a protected, read-just mode and disregard segments and document frameworks with an end goal to search out your missing documents. PhotoRec concentrates on record sorts, is working framework rationalist, and regardless of its name, isn't consigned to simply photographs.

Don't let the name fool you—it recovers way more than just photos. It's a "companion" to TestDisk but much safer because it operates in a read-only mode, meaning it won't mess with your drive's structure while searching.

Best for: Multi-platform users who don't mind a text-based (no mouse) interface.

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NO.5 TestDisk (Windows/Mac/Linux)

TestDisk This is the "heavy lifter". It doesn't have a pretty interface (it's command-line only), but it can fix broken partitions and rebuild boot sectors.

It is an intense open-source instrument for recovery of lost data. With TestDisk you can recuperate your boot division from a reinforcement, remake your boot area, settle FAT tables, settle your MFT, find the ext2/ext3 reinforcement SuperBlock, duplicate erased records from allotments to recuperation media, and discover lost segments in many organizations to help you find your lost information. It's an order line apparatus, so there's no GUI, however the menus and the documentation in the wiki ought to kick you off without much inconvenience.

Best for: Tech-savvy users and "data doctors".

Steps to Recover Lost Files

To recovery data easily and successfully, here we will use Do Your Data Recovery Free as an example:

Step 1. Download and install the software on your Windows or Mac computer. Run the software and select the drive where you deleted or lost files. Click the Scan button.

Step 2. The software will start to scan the drive to search for missing files. It will take a while depending on the drive size. Just wait patiently.

Step 3. Once the scan is finished, locate the lost files by type/date/size. Also, you can preview the files to confirm if they are still recoverable.

Step 4. Choose the files you want to recover and click the Recover button, select another drive to save the recovered files.

Conclusion

When you need to recover a few missing files, a few data recovery software can help. There are different data recovery freeware available. You can check and choose a proper one for your specified situation.

Do Your Data Recovery offers the free version for both Windows and Mac. The software is easy-to-use with high success rate. Recuva is a free tool for Windows only and you can see the recovery possibility clearly. TestDisk and PhotoRec is proper for advanced users and it's compatible with Windows/Mac/Linux. Undelete Plus is another easy and free tool for deleted data.

When you find data loss happended, stop using the drive and prevent writing new data to the drive. Then download a free data recovery software to scan and recover lost data immediately.