How to recover a deleted file ?

[SoftwareGuy]

Anyone who has approached a computer knows how easy it is to lose a document. The key combination "Shift" and "DELETE" in fact this havoc, it prevents to find the deleted file in the Trash. Empty trash can also be a reflex be unfortunate and destructive. If we advise you of course the greatest caution when performing these operations, and if a regular backup can help you avoid many problems, what to do in case a file is irretrievably lost?


There is software that can find documents despite a final removal. Indeed, a file is permanently deleted when the physical part of the hard drive has been reassigned on the registration of other data. The idea is to stop all writing and installing programs as soon as we can see a loss of data. We will illustrate the precautionary principle by offering a recovery through a program that requires no installation, Restoration.

Step 1: Download and precaution

1. Get Restoration.
2. Be sure to download the software in a form other than the one containing the file to recover, like a USB stick for example.
3. Once extracted, run Restoration.exe from that medium.

Step 2: Choose the location and filter

Above all, you must identify the location from where the file was accidentally deleted. This may be in "My Documents" or any other directory of the drive "C:", or on another storage unit.

1. Set in the "Drives" the drive containing information to be recovered.
2. Indicate a filter in the box provided for that purpose to accelerate research.

A filter is used to reduce the number of results displayed in order to more easily find the file you want. It may take the form of a piece of the file name or extension (.doc for example).

Step 3: Search and Selection

Once your filter in place, you have to start research on the storage unit specified.

1. Click "Search Deleted Files" button.
2. Wait for a few seconds for the search to finish. The duration of the operation depends on the size and the speed of your hard drive.
3. Select from the list of files found that you want to retrieve.

If the result does not match, try to remove the filter or possibly verify that the selected location is correct.

Step 4: Backup and Recovery

You see your file appear in the list of the main window? So it is almost won! All you have to start the restoration in a proper directory.

1. Click "Restore by copying" button.
2. Select the drive in which you want to save the document.
3. Repeat this as many times as it takes to recover all of your files.

Only precaution to be taken during this final step: Avoid using your same hard disk that contains the file for recovery. Preferably a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

[SoftwareGuy]

Some tips to maximize your chances of recovering a file:

After the removal or accidental deletion of a file, you must not:

• add files, empty the trash, try moving any folder or any other manipulation that may use cluster formerly allocated to file your deceased;
• installing software recovery after deletion of data. To do so, it must be in place before a disaster happening, because the installation could make your data unrecoverable permanently (unless they were stored on a hard drive independent of the system on a second partition a disk external hard drive or removable media);
• Defragment your hard drive after the loss of a file. While many of you see this feature of Windows an opportunity to address the erosion of performance, be aware that the program modifies the location of different blocks (ie principle), increasing the chances to erase definitely a lost file;
• wait too long to attempt a recovery as more minutes pass, the more likely it is to see the allocation units, formerly dedicated to your file, be reassigned to another cause.

Finally, if possible, try to work on a different partition than the one used by the system, which allows you to isolate the blocks to recover perpetual changes that occur on the drive where your system is based on the exploitation.

[rupesh]

Thanks SoftwareGuy for the information.

You can also try - Windows Data Recovery Tool, which is compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server, and Windows XP.