File Recovery Software : What You Really Need

There are several causes of software-related file loss, such as accidentally deleting a file, corrupted disk partitions, corrupted files, and less specific causes (virus-related loss, power surges and outages). Fortunately, file recovery software can help with these problems.

First, accidentally deleting a file will be discussed.  This is the simplest form of data loss.  When a file is deleted from the computer, its contents still exist on the hard drive, but it is removed from the directory of files.  The space in the hard drive which the contents of the file occupies is then marked for re-use (e.g. by other files).  Unless something new is saved over this spot, the file is still intact and can be recovered.  In the case of accidental deletion, the best way to recover this data is with deleted file recovery software.  There are several options currently available, and most feature a free trial, allowing the user to identify whether the file(s) of interest can be seen before paying for the full version.  DiskInternals Uneraser is recommended for its low cost, simple interface, and additional ability to recover deleted files from external storage media (USB drive, camera, etc.)  For Mac computers, AppleXsoft File Recovery is a good option.

In the case of corrupted disk partitions, it is important to use software that will not only restore the disk partitions to their original state, but will recover lost files.  It is particularly important to ensure that software is selected which is designed to work with the file structure used on the computer.  Two highly recommended programs for this purpose are EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard and SoftAmbulance Partition Doctor, both of which are able to work with several different types of file structure.

To recover corrupted database files, it is usually cheapest to use software designed to work with the specific type of database used (e.g.MS Access, SyBase, FileMakerPro, etc).  For those who work with different types of databases and want a comprehensive software tool on-hand that can recover data from a variety of databases, Advanced Database Recovery is the way to go.

In the case of widespread data loss, for example from a virus, ‘catch-all’ recovery software is here to help.  These are designed to recover files from multiple different types of loss, whether it is human error, a virus, partition issues, or other causes.  For this type of scenario, the modestly named Undelete Data Recovery Software is recommended; it is designed to recover files from multiple different causes of losses.  In tests, it performed particularly well even on difficult cases.  It also has an additional feature allowing for easy identification of the latest version of a file; a task that is traditionally difficult for recovery software.  However, users should be aware that this file version identification feature only works with FAT32 disks (although the rest of the software works with multiple formats).  Another ‘catch-all’ software option is File-Rescue Plus, which offers several different methods of file recovery.  As well as displaying files that can be recovered, it also notes what is wrong with the file and chances of recovery.  Unlike some other packages, this offers the convenience of saving recovered files into the directory they originally came rom.

The best file recovery software to use in a particular situation depends on the cause of the data loss.  However, if cause is unknown or there are multiple forms of loss, ‘catch-all’ file recovery software can help.