10 Best Free Tools for File Recovery in Windows

Many free File Recovery programs exist that can help you recover your accidentally deleted files. Sometimes we format our hard disk or empty the recycle bin, and then realize that there was some important data or file that you just deleted. Hard Drives, Media Cards and USB's , all of them can be easily recovered using these free software programs. 

When recovering data from accidental deletion, there are some rules to follow.
1. Stop using the hard drive you want to recover as main hard drive (Windows has disk and registry activity in background. Don’t believe? Run RegMon, FileMon and DiskMon)
2. Do not install the data recovery software on the hard drive that you want to recover.
3. Do not save the recovered files on the hard drive that you’re recovering.

Do take note that these are my top 10 picks for FREE data recovery software. Number 1 does not mean it is better than number 5.

1. Recuva

Recuva is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes file emptied from the Recycle Bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user's fault form digital camera's memory card or some other device. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses. (Setup is only 646 KB in size and it's portable.)

2. Glary Undelete

This one is a free and easy-to-use yet powerful file undelete solution for FAT and NFTS file systems. The biggest advantages in Glary Undelete include the easy "Folders" view, a Window Explorer-style view of recoverable files, and a prominent "State" indication for each file, suggesting how likely a successful file recovery will be. While installing it will ask you to install a toolbar, which you can of course decline. Setup is 1.17 MB in size.

3. Pandora Recovery

Pandora Recovery actually recovers files permanently removed from Recycle Bin, files permanently deleted using Shift + Delete keys bypassing Recycle Bin and files deleted from DOS prompt. It also allows you to find and recover recoverable deleted files from NFTS-formatted volumes, regardless of their types - you can recover pictures, songs, movies or documents. A more advanced "Surface Scan" is available in Pandora Recovery that should recover more files than the standard search as long as they are of a popular format.

4. SoftPerfect File Recovery

This File Recovery software, supports the popular file systems such as FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NFTS and NFTS5, with compression and encryption. This software is very easy to use and no installation is required. Program is only 500 KB in size.

5. Avira UnErase Personal

Avira UnErase is the Most simplest Free File Recovery programs. After installation, you are a single click away from seeing every deleted file on a drive. It's a single click operation. 

6. FreeUndelete

FreeUndelete is self explanatory - it's free and it deletes files ! The major advantage of FreeUndelete is its easy to use interface and "folder drill down" functionality (i.e files available for recovery are not listed in a big, unmanageable listing). 

Note : OfficeRecovery.com is often down. You can also download this software from MajorGeeks.com

7. CD Recovery ToolBox

CD Recovery Toolbox is a completely free and very unique file recovery program. CD Recovery Toolbox is designed to recover files from damaged or corrupted Optical Drive discs - CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, HD DVD etc. It help recover files from discs that have been scratched, chipped or have surface spotting.

8. TOKIWA DataRecovery

The best thing about this software program is its ease of use. It has single program window where you can scan for files to recovery, sort the files, and undelete them. There are no complicated procedures at all. TOKIWA DataRecovery is a standalone, 412 KB file making it a completely portable tool suitable for a USB drive and floppy disk.

9. PC Inspector File Recovery

This software can recover files from most of the hard drives, and is suitable for "deeper" search for deleted files. Finds Partitions automatically, even if the boot sector or FAT has been erased or damaged. It recovers files with original time and date stamp. It recovers files, even when a header entry is no longer available. 

10. NFTS Undelete

NFTS Undelete is another free undelete program. The Best thing about this software is its Windows Explorer-like user interface, making it an easy file recovery tool for beginners to use. The biggest downfall of NFTS undelete is exposed in its name - it only supports file recovery on NFTS formatted drives. 

These are some good and Free Tools and Softwares for recovering deleted files, data and documents which might be useful to you. If you know some more similar software do let us know through your comments.

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