If you are still under the notion that data once deleted from your recycle bin cannot be recovered, then that isn’t true.You can recover deleted files even if you permanently removed them from the recycle bin. You can recover data from scratched CDs or DVDs as well. Here are some recovery tools to help you recover deleted files.
The Tools
Recuva: Recuva is a free and compact recovery utility for Windows developed by the makers of CCleaner, a popular system optimization and cleaning utility. Recuva enables you to recover any deleted files from your hard drive and other data storage devices. All the deleted files can be viewed as a list. You just need to select the file which you wish to recover and it will be restored accordingly.
UndeletePlus: UndeletePlus is a quick and effective tool to restore accidentally deleted files. It helps you recover data that has been deleted by a virus or any other programs accidentally. It scans the hard drive and lists all the files that are available. Upon scanning, you can start data recovery with just a few clicks. It works with most of the known disk formats like FAT16, FAT32, NTFS file system and on any other memory storage units like flash drives, media cards, etc.
Recovery for Windows Registry: This tool will repair the windows registry which has been corrupted or deleted by virus or in an event of system crash. It works in the DOS environment and it supports recovery of registry files for Windows 2000 and XP. The data recovered will be saved in a new windows registry file such that the system functions normally during the next start.
Recovery for Backup: This utility will repair corrupted Windows backup files (.bkf). This tool saves the recovered data in a new backup file and it also recovers the full folder structure. It supports Windows XP SP1, XP SP2, XP SP3, 2003, and 2000. It also supports files created with VERITAS Backup Exec.
ARDC Data Recovery Tool: This software has got collection of data recovery tools that enable you to recover data from various data storage systems and file structures. Using this software you can undelete any data from any kind of source. It also recovers data from damaged disks that has bad sectors on it and you can even copy the raw image of files from one disk to another or do complete disk clone backup. It is free for download and supports Windows 95/2000/XP.
CD Recovery ToolBox: This tool helps you to recover data from scratched or damaged optical discs that Windows is unable to read. Just select the drive that contains the media you want to recover from, check the files you want to restore and start the recovery process. It’s free for download and supports Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/Vista.
Pandora Recovery: This tool allows you to find and recover recoverable deleted files from NTFS and FAT-formatted volumes, regardless of their type. It’s search functionality enables you to narrow down the scan for a specific file like name, file creation date, file last access date, etc. It also allows you to preview deleted files of certain type (images and text files) without performing recovery.
PC INSPECTOR File Recovery: This is a similar data recovery program that supports FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems. It finds partitions automatically, even if the boot sector or FAT has been erased or damaged, recovers files with the original time and date stamp. It also supports the saving of recovered files on network drives.
What is your favorite recovery tool?