How can I recover deleted files (with shift-del)

Anonymous

How I can recover data files erased with shift-delete?

Thanks

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hi,

When a file is deleted from your computer, its contents aren't immediately destroyed. Windows simply marks the hard drive space as being available for use by changing one character in the file table. If you manage to start an undelete process before Windows overwrites that part of hard disk with new files. You can set that flag back to "on" and get your file.

As I know, you can download some free recovery software as follow to recover deleted files.

Note：Stop using the current disk as main disk, please keep it unchangeable before recovering the files.

1.Panda Recovery

Pandora Recovery actually recovers files permanently removed from Recycle Bin, files originally deleted using Shift

Delete keys bypassing Recycle Bin and files deleted from DOS prompt. Pandora Recovery allows you to find and recover recoverable deleted files from NTFS-formatted volumes, regardless of their type - you can recover pictures, songs, movies or documents. Setup file is 2.12 MB in size. For more information, please visit the following link.

Panda Recovery

2.TOKIWA DataRecovery

DataRecovery is freeware and written by TOKIWA to undelete accidentally deleted files even from recycle bin. It supports FAT12, FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS undeletion. Even in both NTFS compressed files and EFS encrypted files. Zip file is only 198 KB in size, no installation required and it’s portable.

Download: TOKIWA DataRecovery

3.Undelete Plus

Undelete Plus is a quick and effective way to restore accidentally deleted files. It can also recover files that have been emptied from the Recycle Bin, permanantly deleted files within Windows using the Shift + Delete, and files that have been deleted from within a Command Prompt. Undelete Plus works under Win 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista operating systems. The program supports all Windows file systems for hard and floppy drives including FAT12/16/32,NTFS/NTFS5 and image recovery from CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia and Secure Digital cards. Program is only 583 KB in size and requires no installation. Portable. For more information, please visit the following web site.

Undelete Plus

However, if you are not familiar with above application, I highly recommend that you contact Data Recovery Company for support.

Hope this helps.

0 comments

179 additional answers

Deleted

This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Comments have been turned off. Learn more
Anonymous

2011-11-05T18:30:24+00:00
Unbelievable!!! Thank you soooo much for this information. I am a teacher - transferred all files to flash drives, in preparation for hooking up a new tower. I emptied my Recycle Bin and got ready to set up the new computer. My "Classrooms" folder
- from YEARS of lessons - was not on the flash drives, even though everything else was. I was sick. I took a chance and typed in the question, and I got to your reply. You are a gift, and I thank you - wherever you are in cyber space!
Ann Gaydosh in Iowa
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2011-11-09T17:13:01+00:00
Guys, thanks for recommendations for recovery tools.

I needed to restore folder with files and sub folders and I did it, which required me to try all three options proposed. I'd recommend to review this list, because it seems now a bit outdated (since Apr 2009).

There are my own experience with listed tools:

>> 2.TOKIWA DataRecovery

I tried this app as first, because it doesn't require installation. It runs quite fast, but has following issues:
1. It shows some strange signs in full path instead of "" (usually folder separator). Bad localization? It's minor thing if it affects only displaying data, not recovering it.
2. Deleted objects(files\folders) presented as list (no tree browsing option), which is minor inconvenience. Also, it makes confusing what you should select to restore folder - either just this folder, or all files and sub folders for it as well.
3. The application crashed for me few times and it couldn't complete recovery task - both times it was just copy of deleted data with part of files\ sub folders.

>> 3. Undelete Plus

Then, I tried "Undelete Plus". It was uninstalled within 5 minutes.

I got so terrible impression that decided to write this whole review.

Problems:
1. It's requires installation (description on the list say differently), during which they will try to install "extras" (browser toolbars, etc.)
2. It does slow scan without reasonable progress display (remaining time, etc.)
3. It also displays deleted files only as list, no browsing to specific folder.
4. It uses some archaic list component (no buffering) and it's _super_slow_!!
If you have to deal with 10k+ list of deleted files, then GUI goes into frozen state(on high-performance PC) for any attempt to resize list column (i.e. FileName) or to sort it.
1. When it got uninstalled, it popups company's web page for Purchase (with limited time offer, lol). It just adds final piece for extremely unpleasant impression about the product.
Resume: I haven't seen so badly written apps for long time (since 95/98 era). Dont waste your time for installing it.

>> 1.Panda Recovery

As for my primary goal - un-deleting files - I used Pandora Recovery and it worked as expected.

I should note that it also requires installation. I used distributive from cnet.com, which also was trying to install me "extras", but that's understandably OK for freeware.

(*) Disclaimer: I have no affiliations with this software and get no benefits from advertising it. There could be better solutions, but this one was simple and good enough for me.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Deleted

This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Comments have been turned off. Learn more