Data recovery and disk health guides
Pick the situation closest to yours. Each guide starts with what to do right now, explains why it works and says plainly when recovery is not possible.
Recover deleted or lost files
Recycle Bin, Shift+Delete, memory cards, USB sticks, formatted and RAW drives, lost partitions and SSDs.
Emptied the Recycle Bin
The files are usually still on the disk until something overwrites them.
Files deleted with Shift+Delete
Skipping the Recycle Bin does not wipe the data. Stop writing to the drive first.
A whole folder was deleted
Folder names and structure can often be rebuilt from file system records.
Deleted photos on an SD card
Stop taking pictures, remove the card and scan it with a card reader.
Files deleted from a USB stick
USB sticks keep deleted data until it is overwritten. Scan before you reuse it.
External hard drive problems
Rule out cables and power first. If the drive clicks or disconnects, image it first.
Drive formatted by mistake
A quick format leaves most data in place. A full format in Windows 10/11 does not.
Drive shows RAW or asks to format
Click Cancel. A RAW drive usually has a damaged file system, not missing files.
Partition deleted or lost
Unallocated space often still holds the old partition. Do not create a new one there.
Antivirus removed a file
Check quarantine first. Recover only if you are sure the file is safe.
File saved over or replaced
Overwritten data is gone, but an older version may survive somewhere else.
Deleted files on an SSD
TRIM usually erases deleted data on SSDs. Here is when recovery can still work.
Restore a previous version
Shadow copies and File History can bring back a file as it was yesterday.
In-depth guide: How to recover deleted files on Windows for free
Repair damaged files
Photos, PDFs, Office documents, archives and videos that will not open, and what can really be repaired.
Corrupted or half-grey JPEG
A grey lower half means missing data. A broken header can often be fixed.
PDF won't open or is damaged
A broken cross-reference table can be rebuilt. Missing page data cannot.
Word, Excel or PowerPoint corrupted
Modern Office files are ZIP containers. A damaged container can often be rebuilt.
ZIP CRC error or unexpected end
Intact entries can usually be salvaged. Entries with bad data stay damaged.
MP4 video won't play
Missing codec, interrupted recording or truncated file: each needs a different fix.
Corrupted PNG image
Chunk checksums show exactly where a PNG is damaged. Intact rows can be saved.
In-depth guide: How to repair corrupted JPEG, PDF, ZIP and Office files
Disk health and drive problems
SMART values, bad sectors, clicking drives, SSD wear, fake-capacity cards and firmware updates.
Check SMART status on Windows
Built-in Windows tools show a little. A full SMART read shows the warning signs.
Reallocated or pending sectors
Rising sector counts mean the disk surface is degrading. Back up first.
Hard drive is clicking
Clicking usually means a mechanical fault. Power it off; every hour can make it worse.
Check SSD lifespan and wear
Percentage used and available spare show how far through its endurance an SSD is.
Fake capacity USB stick or SD card
If files corrupt after a certain amount, the stick may be smaller than it claims.
SSD slow reading old files
Data that sat for a long time can need more error correction. Detection comes first.
Update SSD firmware safely
Back up first, use only the manufacturer's tool and keep power stable.
In-depth guide: How to check hard drive and SSD health on Windows
Choosing a recovery tool
Free and paid options, Windows File Recovery and PhotoRec, and what actually decides the result.
Free recovery with no size limit
Many “free” tools cap how much you can recover. Check that before you scan.
Windows File Recovery with a GUI
winfr is free but command-line only. Here is how to use it, or a GUI alternative.
PhotoRec with a GUI on Windows
PhotoRec finds files by content but loses names. Know when that is enough.
Free vs paid recovery software
The drive's condition decides more than the price. Here is what to compare.