How can I recover files from an exFAT drive?

Data Recovery
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Stopping the use of the drive is crucial—agreed there. You don’t wanna get those files overwritten. Now, here’s another angle you might find useful:

PhotoRec: Since you’re specifically looking to recover photos and documents, PhotoRec could be your savior. It’s a companion to TestDisk and specializes in file recovery. Although command-line tools sound intimidating, PhotoRec also offers a less daunting interface.

Pros:

  • Zero cost, full features.
  • Specifically good at pulling out photos and documents.

Cons:

  • UI isn’t really aimed at casual users.
  • Might require some serious patience to learn.

Procedure:

  1. Download PhotoRec: Get it online (it’s bundled with TestDisk).
  2. Run the Application: Choose the exFAT drive. Engine reads the files directly, so no installation into the drive.
  3. Follow Prompts: Let it do its magic; it’ll find and recover files selectively.

You might end up with a heap of files, though. Sorting them can be tedious, depending on how deep the rabbit hole goes.

For those inclined to spend money:

DriveSavers Data Recovery Services. While they’re premium-priced, their reputation for recovering data from just about any situation makes them a go-to, especially if those files are critical and the DIY tools fail you. They offer diagnostics and a no-recovery, no-fee policy.

But if you’re about that self-recovery life and want ease of use, Disk Drill is still a top pick. It’s simple for non-tech folks and supports various file types. Give it a test run via the free trial (https://www.cleverfiles.com/)!

Additional Tips:

  1. Backup Settings: Consider setting up automatic backups once your files are back. You’d hate to play this game again.
  2. Cloud Storage: Syncing with Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar services can give you extra peace of mind.

Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Avoid running CHKDSK: Running CHKDSK might seem like a good idea, but it’s known to reset file entry points, making data recovery even tougher.
  • Don’t rush: A quick fix is tempting, but patience will yield better results.

PhotoRec, Recuva, EaseUS, and even professional services are roads to consider. Just weigh the difficulty, time, and cost to decide what’s your next step.

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