In these instances, we usually wonder if it is possible to recover the deleted files in these cases. To answer the question, let us have a look at what happens when a file is deleted.
What Happens to the File when it is Deleted?
When you delete a file, it is initially moved to the recycle bin (in case of Microsoft Windows Operating system). Then, if the file is deleted from the recycle bin as well, the entry of the file from the particular directory of Windows is removed. Thus, Windows no longer recognises the space that had been allotted to the file on the particular data storage medium. Thus, overwriting data onto those locations is now allowed.
In other words, the data that was present in the file remains unmodified in the hard drive, when it is deleted. The only difference is that it becomes inaccessible. When any new data is to be written onto the particular drive, the computer randomly chooses the required number of locations from among the available ones.
If some of the chosen locations overlap with the ones on which the data is present, it gets overwritten and is lost permanently. However, if the location has not been overwritten, the data can still be recovered.
How to Recover a Deleted File?
The deleted files can be recovered by means of a data recovery software. Such software is available on the internet. Free downloads of these software are available as well. These may be used for the recovery of file.
Most of the software that are available are user-friendly and easy to use. Thus, it can be used by inexperienced users as well. Usually, the steps involved in the recovery of the file are using the scan option that is present in the software that you intend to use, choosing the file you require from the list of files that the software can recover and saving the same.
Preferably, any data should not be added to the drive concerned as there is a likelihood of the required file being overwritten.
Paid software can also be chosen for the purpose of recovering deleted files. Such software tends to be more reliable than the free ones and, hence, if you wish to recover critical data, the same should be used.
Another reliable option for the recovery of data is the data recovery companies. Their services can be sought for the recovery of data but they might be expensive.
As mentioned earlier, a variety of data recovery software are available on the internet and not all of them are reliable. But, usually, an inexperienced user will find it difficult to distinguish good software from a bad one. Hence, a few tips to help you select recovery software have been included below:
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Data Recovery Software
- The task of recovering deleted files is a comparatively simple one. Apart from this, such software can recover data from data storage media that have been formatted or have been attacked by viruses. Thus, it is preferable to select a software that offers as many data recovery facilities as possible.
- Some of the data recovery software can recover data only from a particular file system or from a particular data storage medium. Hence, checking the compatibility of the software with the specifications of your computer is important.
- As far as the cost of software is concerned, the ones that are priced high are not necessarily the only good ones. Many times, a cheap software can also do the job for you.
- Usually, short-listing software that seem to be the optimal ones for your requirements might prove to be beneficial. After this, a thorough research about the selected software should be carried out. Such research can be carried out by reading the reviews of the software on certain websites or in computer magazines.
- Various aspects of software such as the features they offer, problems they can deal with, ease of use, cost etc. should be compared.
- If you are unable to draw definite conclusions from the research, try trial versions of software that are usually available. These are likely to give you an idea about how good the software is.
So, with a little homework, you could find a good data recovery software that can help in successful recovery of the deleted file.
