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Free Data Recovery Software

Q: How can I recover deleted files from my computer for free?

Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon. Select Open from the menu. Choose the files or folders you wish to recover from the bin. Click the Restore button after making your file selections. Alternately, you can just drag the files you want out of the Recycle Bin.

Recover any type of deleted file in Windows including Office documents, photos, videos, and messages quickly and efficiently. Recover up to 500 MB of lost or deleted data on your Windows machine for free from internal or external drives and all other types of disk-based storage devices.

Free Download Upgrade to PRO

Also available for Mac OS X

The Best Free File Recovery Software for Any Data Loss Scenario

Disk Drill gets your lost or deleted data back fast. With its intuitive and user-friendly interface, in just a few clicks you can scan your disk to locate and recover your valuable files and folders. Its outstanding features include:

Free recovery of up to 500 MB of data;
Free preview of recoverable files before performing a recovery;
Totally free enhanced protection for important data files with Recovery Vault;
Free byte-level backups of your storage devices.

Supports All Types of Storage Media for Data Restoration

Disk Drill can recover lost data from virtually any type of storage media. This includes your computer’s internal HDD and SSD drives, external hard drives, USB flash drives, and SD memory cards. The free data recovery software can also restore lost data from digital cameras and mobile devices such as iPhones and Android smartphones.

PC / Mac

Dell®, HP®, Acer®, Asus®, MacBook Pro®, MacBook Air®, Apple iMac® and more

HDD / SSD*

HP®, Samsung®, Seagate®, Toshiba®, WD®, LaCie®, Intel®, Adata® and more

USB Drive

SanDisk®, Samsung®, Kingston®, Corsair®, Patriot®, PNY®, Verbatim®, Silicon Power® and more

SD / CF Card

SanDisk®, Transcend®, Toshiba®, Lexar®, Integral®, SP®, PNY®, Kingston® and more

Digital Camera

Samsung®, HP®, Sony®, GoPro®, Canon®, Sigma®, Nikon®, Epson®, Panasonic® and more

iPhone / Android (Mac ONLY)**

Samsung Galaxy®, iPhone®, Lenovo®, Huawei®, OnePlus®, Google Pixel®, LG® and more

* If TRIM is disabled. Learn more >

** Note: iPhone / Android devices are only supported in Disk Drill for Mac at the moment

Free and Reliable Data Recovery of Any File Format

This free data recovery program offers users the ability to recover deleted files in any format. Documents, images, audio, and video files in all popular formats are supported by this professional-grade tool. Download Disk Drill today to start recovering all your files no matter what format they are in with just a few clicks.

Video

AVI, FLV (Flash video), MKV (Matroska Video), MP4 (MPEG-4 video), BRAW (Blackmagic raw video format), SWF (Flash movie)

Audio

AU (Audacity audio files), M4A (Apple Lossless Audio), MP3 (MPEG Audio Stream, Layer III), OGG (Ogg Vorbis Compressed audio file)

Images

AI (Adobe Illustrator), CR2 (Canon Raw Image), DNG (Digital Negative), GPR (GoPro raw image format), NEF (Nikon camera RAW image)

Documents

APK (Android Package), CS (Visual C# Source Code File), DOCX (Microsoft Word), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

5 Common Steps to Recover Deleted Data for Free

Recovering lost or deleted data for free for Windows 7 through Windows 11 systems is easy with Disk Drill. It’s a trustworthy recovery solution designed to be used by data recovery professionals and the general computing community. Here are the steps required to use this free data recovery tool to get your lost files back.

STEP 1

Download and Install Disk Drill Free Data Recovery Software for Windows

Download and install the free version of Disk Drill for Windows. Make sure you do not use the device that has experienced data loss for the download and installation as this may result in overwriting or corrupting the files you want to restore. If you will be recovering data from your main hard drive, use an external device such as a flash drive for downloading the application.

STEP 2

Choose the location and recovery method you need

Launch Disk Drill and select the device that will be used for the recovery from the disk list presented in the app’s main interface. If you are restoring data from an external device, connect it to your computer before you start the program. You can choose the type of scan you wish to run or let Disk Drill run all scanning methods in the optimal order.

Hard drive data recovery software for everyone

Choose the location and recovery method you need

STEP 3

Start scanning for lost data

Click on the Search for lost data button to start scanning the selected device for deleted files. You will be presented with a status bar displaying the scan’s progress and the tool allows you to pause it whenever you like. You can then resume the scan or save the session for later use. At any point, the scan can be halted so you can see which data has already been recovered.

STEP 4

Select the files that you want to recover

When the scanning process has completed or you have paused the scan, you can select the found files that you would like to recover. You can click the Recover all button to restore everything the tool has found or select individual files or groups of files by checking the box next to their names. You have full control over which data gets recovered.

How to Recover Deleted Word & Excel Documents

Select the files that you want to recover

STEP 4.1

Use "filters" for faster search / select a right file type

After the scanning process completes or is halted, you can use the predefined file filters to make it easier to locate the data you want to recover. Found files are nicely organized in the left panel of the display. Choose from Pictures, Video, Audio, Documents, Archive, and Other to quickly find the files that interest you. You can also view all found files at once if you desire.

STEP 4.2

Search for files

You can use the search box located in the top right portion of the interface to look for specific files or file types. Use the same kinds of wildcards as you do in any search box to quickly find a particular file. This can save you some time when all you need is a single file from a large scanned drive.

STEP 4.3

Check Reconstruction section

Files recovered during a deep scan may have been reconstructed and might not have their filenames intact. They can be found in the Reconstructed section of the Found Files window. You will see a generic filename with the correct file extension for the recovered file. You can preview the files and rename them in whatever way you like.

STEP 5

Recover the deleted data

Once you have selected the files that you want to restore, click on the Recover button to perform the operation. You will then be prompted to select a storage location at which to save the data Disk Drill is recovering. Do not use the same media that experienced the data loss to prevent overwriting or corrupting the files you wish to recover.

Technical Specifications

Operating System Supported:

Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP
Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008
View system requirements

File Systems Supported:

FAT16/FAT32/exFAT, NTFS, NTFS5, ReFS, HFS, HFS+, APFS, EXT2/EXT3/EXT4, BTRFS and any RAW disk

Hardware Requirements:

Disk Space: 1GB minimum free space
CPU: 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x86-64) compatible CPU 1.0 GHz or faster
RAM: at least 4GB

Recover From These Data Loss Scenarios and many more

Disk Drill is a versatile data recovery solution for Windows 10 / 11 and other versions of the OS that can get back lost data in many situations.

Accidentally deleted files

It’s easy to accidentally delete a file from a digital storage device. Disk Drill can recover those lost files almost as quickly as you deleted them. Taking advantage of the Recovery Vault feature enables one-click restoration of specially designated important files and folders.
Hard drive damage

Damaged drives that are still able to connect to the operating system can have lost data recovered with Disk Drill. In cases where the device cannot be accessed, a data recovery service may be needed to recover your files. Recovery software needs the device to be recognized by the OS.
Virus attack recovery

Viruses and malware often attack your system by randomly deleting files and folders. A professional data recovery tool can get your files back while you remove the offending virus from your computer. Make sure you use reliable antivirus software to minimize the chance of malware infection.
Lost partition recovery

Sometimes a partition may mysteriously disappear for no apparent reason. It could the result of an operating system glitch or malware attack. Whatever the reason, performing a scan on the entire disk will enable you to recover data from the lost partition with Disk Drill.
Recovery from inadvertent formatting

Formatting the wrong partition or SD card is a common problem that can lead to extensive data loss. Disk Drill can efficiently recover data from formatted devices and storage media. A deep scan may necessary to be used to fully recover the data from a formatted device.
Recover files from an emptied Recycle Bin

Disk Drill can easily recover files from an emptied Recycle Bin. If you act quickly, a quick scan should be sufficient to get files back that were in the Bin when it was emptied. The files still exist on your disk and can be found and restored with recovery software.
RAW partition recovery

Partitions can suddenly present themselves as RAW file systems that are inaccessible by your operating system or applications. Disk Drill can get the files back by reconstructing the data based on its extensive database of file signatures. Files may need to be renamed to their original name after recovery.
Other data loss situations

Just about any other type of data loss scenario involving a disk-based storage device can be recovered by Disk Drill. This includes data lost from mobile devices and any other storage media that you can attach to your Windows machine.

PROTECT

All-inclusive File Recovery Software - Free Data Protection

Disk Drill offers a free data protection tool known as Recovery Vault. It works like a supplemental Recycle Bin for important files that you designate for protection. Once you configure Recovery Vault, all files sent to the vault can be recovered without requiring the full data recovery process. This even applies to files from an emptied Recycle Bin. Recovery Vault saves the data’s metadata and streamlines the process of getting your data back. Users have full access to this feature with the free trial versions of Disk Drill.

Estimating Data Recovery Chances for Free

The free edition of Disk Drill allows you to analyze your problematic storage for potentially recoverable files. That's no small feat, but Disk Drill can also estimate the chances of actually getting those files back intact.

Disk Drill presents this crucial information seamlessly on its located files list. A colored label appears next to each file, on the Recovery chances column, informing you about a file's recovery potential at a glance.

Filled Star

For almost guaranteed recovery.

Half-filled Star

For average chances to get a file back.

Empty (White) Star

For low recovery potential.

Question Mark

For unknown chances of recovery.

Even if a file seems to have the odds against it, it won't hurt to try recovering it. Despite your file's low recovery chances, Disk Drill will do its best to get it back for you.

However, Disk Drill's recovery chance estimates can be a real lifesaver in a specific but quite common data loss scenario: hardware failure.

Are the files you're trying to recover on a device like an old mechanical Hard Disk Drive with an ever-expanding collection of bad sectors? Then, time is of the essence, and there's a ticking clock working against you: soon, the device will be gone, taking all your data with it.

If you need to save more than one or two files before your device bids the eternal farewell, you ought to prioritize. And that's where recovery chances come in handy. Instead of spending a chunk of your precious - and quickly dwindling - time trying to get back potentially unrecoverable files, prioritize the ones with higher recovery chances. This way, you'll get more of your precious data back before time runs out.

Comparison of Best Free Data Recovery Solutions in 2023

We have provided a comparison of free data recovery tools and programs so you can make an educated choice when selecting a solution. Finding the right free data recovery tool can be challenging and when you are faced with a data loss situation you don’t need any extra stress. Use this chart to find the free data recovery application that works for your situation. Based on your needs, one of these tools should do the trick.

	Disk Drill	Recuva	EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard	Restoration	TestDisk
Platform	Windows MacOS	Windows	Windows MacOS	Windows	DOS / Windows / Linux / FreeBSD / NetBSD / OpenBSD / SunOS / MacOS
Supported file types	400	50	1000	✘	Only lost partitions restore
File system	FAT (FAT12, FAT16, FAT32) /exFAT /NTFS /NTFS5 /ext3 /ext4 /HFS+	FAT /exFAT /NTFS /NTFS5 /ext3 /ext4	FAT (FAT12, FAT16, FAT32) /exFAT /NTFS /NTFS5 /ext2 /ext3 /HFS+ /ReFS	FAT12 /FAT16 /FAT32 /NTFS	FAT12 /FAT16 /FAT32 /FATX /exFAT /HFS /HFS+ /HFSX /btrfs /ext2-4 /RAID 1-4-5-6 /NTFS other
Save scan session	✔	✘	✔	✘	✘
Mount scan results	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Preview features	✔	✔	✔	✘	✘
Built-in SMART	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Built-in protection	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Built-in Drive Backup	✔	✔	✘	✘	✔
Restore lost partitions	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔
Online support	✔	✘	✔	✘	✘
Quick scan	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘
Filter found results	✔	✘	✔	✘	✘
Unlimited recovery	500 MB	Free	500 MB	Free	Free

Not all data recovery solutions are equal, and each excels in different regards. The table above shows each recovery app’s major features, pros, and cons. However, raw datapoints don’t tell how those solutions perform in action. Read on for a brief summary of each app. Read more Close

1. Disk Drill Data Recovery Software

A quick look at the table above shows why Disk Drill almost always dominates most "best data recovery apps" lists: it ticks nearly all boxes. It's easy to use but hides a powerful recovery engine and many useful features under the hood. Its straightforward and affordable pricing is the icing on the cake.

2. Recuva

Thanks to its mind-numbingly simple interface and zero limitations, Recuva justifiably became one of the most popular data recovery solutions. In most data loss scenarios, this was more than enough. However, in its current state, it seems as if its glory days are behind it.

The formerly popular data recovery app may frequently falter. It might miss some files and fail to recover others. You can try it to seek some deleted files. However, it would be best to look elsewhere if your storage device's condition is rapidly deteriorating, and you need to save your files as soon as possible.

3. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

EaseUS's Data Recovery Wizard can usually get back most files from a problematic piece of storage. That should be enough to warrant a try to check how many of your files it can find.

Even if your data is stored in some obscure format, Data Recovery Wizard will probably recognize it. That's thanks to its support for more than a thousand file signatures. Do you need such extensive support for lesser-known file formats? Then, maybe the app's higher price (compared to competitors like Disk Drill) will be worth it.

4. Restoration

Many people used to vouch for it. However, today, Restoration lags far behind the competition. It lacks features, a modern interface, and doesn't produce the best results at acceptable speeds.

5. TestDisk

TestDisk is an app for "fixing" partitions, not bringing back files. However, it's accompanied by Photorec. And that one can locate and recover a wide range of files quickly and, best of all, for free.

TestDisk's Photorec "sibling" is an excellent solution for everyone familiar with tech-lingo and fond of keyboard-driven shell-based apps. Everyone else would probably prefer a more user-friendly alternative.

Customers and software guru say

David Simmer

Thanks so much! The latest two versions of the deleted file I needed could not be recovered, but the third file back COULD be recovered! I can easily re-work the rest to get back to where I was. You saved me hours of work… thanks again!

Softpedia.com

“Scan your system drives and find traces of lost or deleted files, then recover them effortlessly with this intuitive and powerful program.” - Adrian Serban

You Get Much More than File Recovery

Disk Drill provides its users with many free features that extend its functionality, making it much more than simply a file recovery application. Check out what else you can do for free with Disk Drill.

FREE S.M.A.R.T. Disk Monitoring
Monitor hard drives that support S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) to help identify potential hardware problems before they result in data loss.
FREE Partition Recovery
Accidentally deleted or lost partitions can easily be recovered with Disk Drill. You can choose to specifically search for lost partitions when selecting the scanning method the tool uses to find your lost data.
FREE Data Backup
Backing up your data is the best thing you can do to protect your valuable information. Disk Drill enables you to create byte-level backups that can be used to recover previously deleted files.
FREE Unformat and Raw Recovery
Recover from inadvertently formatted or RAW file systems by performing a deep scan with Disk Drill. It can reconstruct files even if the file system cannot be recovered.
FREE Recovery from Corrupted Devices
Corrupted SD cards or damaged devices that can still be recognized by your operating system can have their data recovered for free with Disk Drill.
FREE Data Recovery after OS Crash
Operating system crashes can result in many lost files and folders. Disk Drill can help you recover by quickly restoring files once you have your system up and running again.

Download Disk Drill

Latest release: Disk Drill 5.7 for Windows
Runs on Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated on Jan 12, 2023 by Disk Drill Team

How can I recover my lost data for free?

Download and install Disk Drill for Windows.
Connect any external storage devices to your computer.
Click the Search for lost data button to scan the device for deleted files.
Preview and select the files that you would like to be recovered.
Click Recover to restore up to 500 MB of data for free.

What is the best free data recovery software?

Here are 14 Free data recovery software solutions:

Disk Drill
Recuva
PhotoRec
TestDisk
Wise Data Recovery
SoftPerfect File Recovery
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
FreeUndelete
CD Recovery Toolbox
UndeleteMyFiles
MiniTool Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery
Orion File Recovery
Restoration

Is there any free file recovery software?

Yes, there are free file recovery solutions. Here are 12 of them.

Disk Drill
R-Studio
PhotoRec
UndeleteMyFiles
Wise Data Recovery
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
FreeUndelete
Recuva
TestDisk
Advanced Disk Recovery
MiniTool Data Recovery
Stellar Data Recovery

What is the best free data recovery software for Windows 11?

Here are the top 8 free data recovery software solutions for Windows 11:

Disk Drill
R-Studio
Recuva
PhotoRec
Stellar Data Recovery
UndeleteMyFiles
MiniTool Data Recovery
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

How can I recover deleted files from my computer for free?

Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon.
Select Open from the menu.
Choose the files or folders you wish to recover from the bin.
Click the Restore button after making your file selections. Alternately, you can just drag the files you want out of the Recycle Bin.

How can I recover permanently deleted files for free?

Download, install and launch Disk Drill for Windows.
Select the affected device from the disk list and scan for lost data.
Preview the recoverable files and select those you want to be recovered.
Recover up 500 MB for free with the trial version of Disk Drill and enjoy unlimited recovery with the tool’s Pro version.

Are there any free data recovery programs?

Yes. Disk Drill lets you recover up to 500 MB of data for free while testing the software with its trial version. Downloading the free tool gives you access to the enhanced data protection features and allows you to see how well the application works before making a purchase.

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All about Disk Drill

Lost file recovery university

Used by world famous companies

Disk Drill 5

Restore Deleted Files
And Protect Your Data

Free Download

Upgrade to PRO

REQUIREMENTS

Windows 10 (64-bit)/11 (64-bit), 27.0 MB

Use Disk Drill 2.x/4.x for Windows XP+
AVERAGE USER RATING

4.7 by 851 users
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NEWEST RELEASE

Version 5.7.916. 13 December 2024

View release notes