Accidentally deleted some important files on an NTFS drive and need them back ASAP. Can someone recommend the most reliable NTFS recovery software? Thanks in advance!
Hey, accidentally deleting important files can really be a nightmare, but don’t worry—there are several reliable software options to help you recover NTFS files. Based on my experience, I would highly recommend trying out Disk Drill
. It’s been a lifesaver for me numerous times, and it’s quite user-friendly. You can check it out here: Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Disk Drill to recover your files:
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Download and Install Disk Drill: Head over to the website and download the version compatible with your operating system. After the download completes, install the software.
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Launch Disk Drill: When you first open Disk Drill, it may ask for administrative privileges. Grant these as they are necessary for the software to access your drive properly.
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Select the NTFS Drive: Inside Disk Drill, you’ll see a list of available drives. Select the NTFS drive where your files were deleted from.
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Run a Quick or Deep Scan: Disk Drill offers both quick and deep scan options. Start with a quick scan, as it’s faster and could recover your files if they haven’t been overwritten yet. If the quick scan doesn’t find what you’re looking for, proceed to run a deep scan. It’s more thorough and can recover files even if the quick scan fails to do so.
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Review Found Files: After the scan completes, Disk Drill will display a list of recoverable files. They’re often grouped by file types, making it easier to find specific files.
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Recover Files: Select the files you wish to recover. Disk Drill will let you preview some files before you decide to recover them, which is helpful to ensure you’re restoring the correct ones. After selecting, click the ‘Recover’ button.
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Save Recovered Files: It’s crucial to save recovered files to a different drive or partition to avoid overwriting additional data on the drive you’re recovering from.
Beyond Disk Drill, there are other tools you might consider depending on your needs. Here’s a quick look at some alternatives:
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Recuva: This software is good, especially for less complex recovery tasks. It’s straightforward and also has a free version that can accomplish quite a bit.
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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Another solid option, EaseUS is known for its ease of use and effectiveness. It also offers both quick and deep scans, similar to Disk Drill.
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MiniTool Power Data Recovery: This one is also reliable and comes with a free version that might cover your needs in minor cases of data loss.
For anyone a bit more technically inclined or if the above don’t cut it, you might consider TestDisk. It’s open-source and powerful, though the interface isn’t the friendliest for beginners due to its command-line nature. But if you’re comfortable with that, it can be extremely effective.
A few extra tips:
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Stop Using the Affected Drive: The more you use the drive after deleting files, the higher the chances that new data will overwrite the deleted files, making recovery harder or even impossible.
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File Naming Patterns: Sometimes the file names recovered might not be the originals, so prepare to search through the files thoroughly.
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Back-Up Regularly: After resolving this, it’s worth setting up regular backups to always have copies of your important files. Tools like Time Machine on macOS, Windows Backup, or third-party software like Backblaze can help with this.
Hope all this helps, and you get your files back without too much hassle! Let us know how it goes or if you run into any issues.
I wouldn’t put too much faith in Disk Drill right away. It might be user-friendly, but it’s not the ultimate solution for everyone. First off, it’s expensive if you need the Pro version for extensive recovery. Sometimes the quick scan doesn’t find anything useful, and the deep scan can take ages. Also, while it shows previews, they’re not always accurate. So you might end up recovering junk.
Another thing – I’ve had better luck with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It’s on par with Disk Drill in terms of ease-of-use and the deep scan has been more reliable in my experience. But again, nothing’s perfect, right? EaseUS can also be pricey and sometimes overestimates its recovery capabilities.
If you’re willing to put up with a less user-friendly interface, go for TestDisk. It’s free, open-source, and powerful, but yeah, handling a command-line interface isn’t for everyone. It completely depends on what you’re comfortable with.
To sum it up, get Disk Drill a shot - it often gets the job done, but don’t be surprised if it lets you down. Have alternates like Recuva or TestDisk on standby. And whatever you choose, remember: don’t use the affected drive to avoid overwriting your data! Happy recovering… or not.
Guys, while Disk Drill does get a lot of love, I’m not sold on it being the end-all for NTFS file recovery. It’s like someone mentioned; sometimes, that deep scan can feels like waiting for a turtle to finish a marathon. Disk Drill’s simplicity and interface probably make it a go-to for beginners, but not necessarily for seasoned troubleshooters.
On the flip side, I think PhotoRec (often bundled with TestDisk, yeah, the command-line beast) is underrated. Sure, it’s not a downloader’s dream with a sleek GUI, but it’s formidable in terms of data recovery. Unlike Disk Drill, it’s completely free and can handle a variety of file types. It’s a bit of a challenge for those who detest command lines, but it never fails to impress with recovery results. I mean, it’s open-source, so no hidden agendas.
If you’re specifically dealing with NTFS, another option worth investigating is R-Studio. It offers a balance between user-friendliness and professional features. It might not have the instant gratification appeal of Disk Drill or EaseUS, but it’s known for its accuracy. R-Studio can even recover from disks with bad sectors. The caveat here is that it leans a bit into enterprise territory, so it’s more complex and carries a steeper learning curve. Oh, and did someone mention cost? Yeah, it’s not cheap, but it’s a mighty tool in the right hands.
Now, the recovery spiel for all software is pretty repetitive – scan, preview, and restore. A vital tip: start with a quick scan on any software. If nothing jumps out, brace yourself for the deep dive.
Here’s the quirky bit – I once had files stuck on an NTFS drive that were critical for an important project. Tried Disk Drill, and it gave me bits and pieces but not everything I needed. Turned to EaseUS which fared somewhat better but left me with corrupted files. Last resort? PhotoRec. Despite its old-school vibe, it unearthed the files buried deepest and closest to my heart. Anecdotal, sure, but it’s engraved in my recovery journey.
Also, as subtly dropped already by others, immediateness is key. Stop using the drive asap. Blasting the drive with new writes is the nemesis of data recovery. So save yourself the agony – yank that drive out or cease operations on it right away.
Well, everyone has a story and a tool they swear by. Mine has been a mixed bag, but leaning into the open-source realm gave me a rush of control and reliability. Dive into Disk Drill if you must, but don’t let it be your only lifeboat.
Oh, and next time – maybe think about automatic backups. Yes, it’s a motherly advice but it’d save you from these digital heart attacks.