Version Latest
PhotoRec 7.2
Requirements
Windows / Windows 10 / Windows 11 / Windows 7 / Windows 8
Size
26.3 MB

PhotoRec is file data recovery software for Windows PCs that recovers lost files such as video, documents, and archives from hard drives, CD-ROMs, and digital camera memory. The software ignores the file system and focuses on the underlying data, therefore it will function even if your media's file system has been significantly damaged or reformatted. 

PhotoRec for PC is a companion tool to TestDisk, which recovers missing partitions on a wide range of file systems and restores bootability to non-bootable disks. 

For further security, the PhotoRec photo recovery app handles the drive or memory card from which you intend to recover lost data with read-only access. Important: If you mistakenly remove a picture or file or realize that one is missing, do not save any additional pictures or files to that memory device or hard disk drive; otherwise, you risk overwriting the lost data. This means that you cannot use this tool to write recovered files to the same partition where they were originally stored. 

It is compatible with hard drives, CD-ROMs, memory cards (CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/SD, SmartMedia, Microdrive, MMC, and so on), USB memory drives, DD raw image, EnCase E01 image, and so on. 

The application looks for known file headers. If there is no data fragmentation, as is frequently the case, it can recover the entire file. PhotoRec identifies and recovers a wide range of file formats, including ZIP, Office, PDF, HTML, JPEG, and different graphical formats.

Key Features

File Recovery 
It can recover lost files from a variety of storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. 

Wide-format support 
It can recover a variety of file types, including photographs, movies, documents, and archives. 

Cross-platform compatibility 
The program is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and other UNIX-like operating systems. 

File Carving 
Instead of using filesystem metadata, the software employs complex file carving algorithms to restore files based on their intrinsic structures. 

Lightweight and Portable 
This program is lightweight and can operate off a USB drive without installation, making it an ideal tool for on-the-go recovery. 

User Interface 
It features a minimal command-line interface, which may be frightening to new users. However, it provides clear instructions and prompts to help users complete the recovery procedure. 

Installation & Setup 
The application does not require installation. Users can simply download the right version for their operating system from the official website and extract the files to whatever location they want.

How to Use

  • To start the software, navigate to the location where it was extracted and run the executable file. 
  • Follow the on-screen prompts to choose the disk or partition from which you want to recover files. 
  • Choose which file types you want to restore, or select "Other" to recover all file types. 
  • Specify the location where recovered files should be kept. 
  • It will begin the recovery procedure, displaying progress and retrieved files as it goes.

FAQ

Can PhotoRec for PC recover files from a formatted drive? 
Yes, it can recover files from formatted drives if they have not been overwritten. 

How long does recuperation take? 
The recovery time is determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the disk, the number of files to be retrieved, and the computer's speed. 

Can PhotoRec recover files from a damaged or corrupted partition? 
Yes, it can recover files from damaged or corrupted partitions by doing a low-level scan of the disk. 

Is there any risk of data loss when using PhotoRec? 
There is always the possibility of data loss when executing data recovery processes. It is advised not to write any new data to the drive until the recovery process is completed. 

Does PhotoRec support network drives? 
No, PhotoRec is intended to recover files from local storage devices and does not support network drives.

Pricing

The program is fully free and open-source, making it a fantastic choice for budget-conscious users or those who appreciate open-source software.

System Requirements

This software is lightweight and compatible with most contemporary computers. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and other UNIX-like operating systems.

PROS

  • Free and open-source.
  • Wide format support.
  • Cross-platform compatibility.
  • Lightweight and portable.

CONS

  • Command-line interface may be intimidating for some users.
  • Lack of graphical user interface (GUI).

Conclusion

PhotoRec is a dependable and effective data recovery application that excels at recovering deleted files from a variety of storage devices. While its command-line interface may turn off some users, its powerful capabilities and wide format compatibility make it a great asset for both new and seasoned users.

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