Top 10 Best Hard Drive Recovery Software for Windows and Mac: 1. Stellar Data Recovery 2. tools Data Recovery Wizard 3. Recuva 4. Disk Drill 5. MiniTool Power Data Recovery 6. Remo Recover 7. Data Rescue 8. Ace Data Recovery 9. Wise Data Recovery 10. R-Studio These software tools specialize in retrieving lost or deleted files from hard drives on both Windows and Mac operating systems. They offer a range of features, user-friendly interfaces, and varying levels of recovery capabilities to suit different needs.

What Is the Best Hard Drive Recovery Software?

So, you accidentally deleted a file and emptied the Recycle Bin, only to realize you needed that file back. Data loss can be a frustrating experience, with deletion, formatting, and system crashes being common causes. However, there's hope - free hard drive recovery software can help retrieve lost files even when you don't have a backup. Numerous hard drive recovery tools are available, and we've compiled a list of ten top options based on their features, performance, pricing, and our firsthand experiences with them.

The top data recovery software:

1. Tools Data Recovery Wizard 2. Recuva 3. Disk Drill Data Recovery 4. Wise Data Recovery 5. Ontrack Data Recovery Software 6. Recover My Files 7. PhotoRec 8. TestDisk 9. Orion File Recovery 10. Windows File Recovery

Top 1. Tool - Data Recovery Wizard Free (Windows & Mac)

Data Recovery Wizard is a free data recovery software that has assisted countless users in reclaiming their valuable data. Whether you have accidentally deleted files from a disk, formatted the disk, lost partitions, or encountered a disk that became RAW, inaccessible, or unrecognized, this hard disk recovery software enables you to restore your files effectively.

Pros:

• A straightforward 3-step recovery process.
• Repairs corrupted/damaged photos.
• Virus-free and plugin-free.
• Swift scanning speed with high-quality data recovery.
• Supports over 1000 file types across various devices.

Cons:

• A free trial with a 2GB recovery limit is available. The Pro version costs $69.95 and offers unlimited recovery.

Limits of the free version: It allows for 2 GB of free recovery. With Data Recovery Wizard Free, users can instantly recover 500 MB of data. By sharing the software on Facebook or Twitter, you can increase the limit to 2 GB.

Overall Experience can be translated into English as "Overall Experience."

Tools Data Recovery Software for PC can be utilized on Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP, and even older versions of Windows. It also offers a Mac version compatible with macOS 10.15 ~ 10.9. While it only permits free recovery of up to 2GB of data, the recovery success rate of this tool is notably high in the industry, both on its Windows and Mac platforms. It effortlessly retrieves your crucial files and possesses the exceptional capability to repair damaged photos and video files.

Top 10 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Windows 11

This article presents the top 10 best free data recovery software options for Windows 11. You can retrieve deleted, formatted, and lost data without any cost.

Top 2. Recuva - Hard Disk Recovery Software (Windows)

Piriform Recuva is a popular choice among users who have unintentionally lost files. What sets Recuva apart from other hard drive recovery tools is its high level of interactivity. It guides users through the data recovery process by posing several questions, making it more user-friendly and accessible.

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Pros:

• Unlimited free data recovery with the standard version.
• Deep scan mode for files that are difficult to locate.
• It also offers a portable version.
• 100% free data recovery software.

Cons:

• The interface gives it an outdated appearance.
• There is no option to preview the results during the scanning process.

Limitations on the free version: Unlimited free recovery.

Overall Experience

Recuva is attractively priced and user-friendly, albeit it doesn't delve as deeply as more expensive data recovery software options. It effectively caters to basic requirements such as photo retrieval, erased music, documents, videos, and email recovery. We have personally utilized this software to recover lost Excel files. Remarkably, Recuva is entirely free for personal use.

Top 3. Disk Drill Data Recovery (Windows & Mac)

Cleverfiles Disk Drill is also a renowned hard drive recovery software tool in the industry. It facilitates the retrieval of deleted, erased, and lost data from hard drives. Apart from its data recovery capability, Disk Drill also offers additional features such as data protection and drive backup.

Pros:

• Features auxiliary functions such as data protection and drive backup.
• Organizes discovered files by category.
• Permits filtering of results by size and date.
• Supports multiple file systems.

Cons:

• The Windows version is unable to recover data from iOS and Android devices.
• The setup process can be somewhat intricate, and there's a chance you might miss the option for a custom installation path.

Limitations on the free version: 500MB of free recovery. The Pro version costs $89 and has no recovery limits.

Overall Experience can be translated into English as "Overall Experience."

Disk Drill boasts an intuitive interface that enables users to swiftly recover their lost files, making it appealing to both novices and experienced computer users. The software offers additional data protection tools free of charge, facilitating rapid retrieval of recently deleted files. Its Recovery Vault feature lets you assign specific folders and files for heightened protection. Furthermore, it allows you to create a byte-level backup of a drive, which can be utilized for the recovery of failing storage devices. However, the free version only permits the recovery of up to 500MB of data. To restore more, you must pay a fee starting at $89, which might be considered costly. Additionally, Disk Drill's scanning process tends to take longer than its predecessors, and it uncovers fewer files.

Top 4. Wise Data Recovery - HDD Recovery Software (Windows)

Wise Data Recovery is a free data recovery tool that aids in retrieving lost photos, videos, audio files, documents, and more from local hard drives and removable devices such as external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, digital cameras, mobile phones, and MP3 players. Equipped with advanced algorithms, Wise Data Recovery effectively recovers lost data from supported devices.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Lightweight and space-efficient
• Fast scanning velocity
• Provides a portable edition
• Filters files by category

Cons:

• Supports only FAT, exFAT, and NTFS file systems
• Displays garbled text in the preview pane for unsupported file formats

Limitations of the free version: Unlimited free recovery is available. However, you cannot perform RAW recovery or deep scan using the free version. The Pro version costs $44.96 and removes all recovery limitations.

Overall Experience can be translated to "总体体验" in Chinese.

Wise Data Recovery enables you to restore lost files on your Windows system, accommodating both 64-bit and 32-bit architectures. It has been designed to function effectively on Windows 10 as well as other Windows operating systems starting from Windows XP. The free version offers a quick scan feature, enabling you to retrieve recently erased files. However, when it comes to recovering files that have been permanently deleted from Windows 10, this free software might not yield optimal results. The user interface of Wise Data Recovery is intuitive, making it easy for even less tech-savvy users to navigate. One notable feature is the ability to preview deleted files prior to recovery and access detailed information about them, such as file headers.

Top 5. Ontrack Data Recovery Software (Windows & Mac)

Ontrack EasyRecovery is one of the top choices for disk data recovery. It recovers files from an HDD, SSD, memory card, USB, and optical media following deletion, formatting, corruption, and various other issues. In addition to basic data recovery functionalities, EasyRecovery also allows users to perform advanced RAID recovery.

Pros:

• Recovers photos, videos, documents, and more
• Supports multiple storage devices
• Enables preview of recovery results before saving
• Restores files following deletion, formatting, hard disk damage, and corruption

Cons:

Must provide personal information to download the software

Limits of the free version: 1 GB of free recovery. The Pro version costs $87.81 and has fewer recovery limitations.

Overall Experience can be translated into English as "Overall Experience."

Ontrack is a straightforward file recovery solution designed for retrieving lost or deleted photos, videos, and other files from various computer storage devices. It offers both quick scan and deep scan options to maximize the recovery process. Additionally, it provides professional manual data recovery and repair services. The cost of the service varies depending on the amount of data and the complexity of the recovery task. However, the downloading process can be a bit challenging. You are required to provide your email address and personal information before being able to download the software.

Top 6. Recover My Files (Windows Only)

< a href="https://getdata.com/recovermyfiles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Recover My Files is a trustworthy data recovery software specifically designed for Windows users. It allows users to retrieve files from various storage devices such as hard drives, SD cards, USB zip drives, floppy disks, iPods, and more. It excels in recovering files from the Recycle Bin, formatted drives, after OS reinstallation, RAW partition recovery, and more. It can restore a wide range of file types including documents, photos, videos, audio files, and emails.

Pros:

• Supports traditional storage devices such as hard drives, SD cards, USBs, and iDevices like iPod
• Enables scanning of the backup (image file) of a partition
• Sorts files by date
• Permits adjusting the layout of items

Cons:

1. Outdated software interface
2. The data recovery process is relatively more complex compared to its competitors

Limits of the free version: Unlimited free recovery. The Pro version costs $69.95 and has fewer recovery limitations.

Overall Experience can be translated to "总体体验" in Chinese.

"Recover My Files" is a data recovery software that employs file carving techniques to retrieve lost files from unallocated disk clusters. The recovery process relies on the analysis of file content, typically by reverse-engineering the file type. However, the recovery procedure is not as straightforward as described, and the outdated user interface makes it challenging for casual users. Unfortunately, the latest version available is v6, indicating that its original developers have discontinued support. Consequently, you won't be able to receive any updates for the software.

Top 7. PhotoRec (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

PhotoRec retrieves images from a wide range of digital devices, including computers, digital cameras, smartphones, tablets, memory cards, external hard drives, and more. It boasts powerful file recovery features and compatibility with multiple platforms. As an open-source data recovery tool, PhotoRec is capable of recovering over 480 different file types.

Pros:

• It supports data recovery across multiple platforms - Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, etc.
• It can restore data on a wide range of devices.
• This software is compatible with numerous file formats, not just images.

Cons:

• Not suitable for beginners
• All files are automatically recovered during the scan
• Unable to restore original file names and folder structure

Limitations on the free version: Unlimited free recovery.

Overall Experience: This phrase refers to the general impression or aggregate feeling one has about an event, situation, product, service, or any other experience. It encompasses all aspects, including satisfaction, enjoyment, ease of use, value for money, customer service, and any other factors that contribute to one's perception of the experience as a whole. For example, when a customer rates their overall experience at a restaurant, they might consider the food quality, ambiance, staff behavior, and pricing before arriving at a conclusion.

PhotoRec is a free and open-source software. It employs text-based data recovery methods to retrieve lost files from a system. Intended for experienced users, it features a text-only user interface. The advantage is that this software is entirely free of cost, making it comparable to many paid data recovery tools. You don't need to concern yourself with the price or any restrictions.

Top 8. TestDisk (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

TestDisk is also an open-source application used for recovering lost partitions. It can restore deleted partitions from hard drives, repair the partition table, recover the boot sector, and more. As TestDisk is open-source software, you can examine, modify, and improve it, assuming you have the necessary knowledge to do so.

Hard Drive Partition Recovery Software - TestDisk

Pros:

Open-source software Recover lost partitions Fix disks that won't boot Recover various file types

Cons:

• Lacks an intuitive graphical user interface --- command-line only
• Repairs damaged partitions and file systems but not individual files

Limitations on the free version: Unlimited free recovery.

Overall Experience 可以翻译成 "整体体验" 或者 "综合经历"。

This freeware solution is specifically designed for partition recovery. It is a command-line utility that offers support for various operating systems and file systems. The application is still actively maintained by its developer and is offered in a bootable version. If you have experienced a lost partition, you can utilize this software. However, if your need is for general data recovery, you might want to explore other free data recovery tools available.

Top 9. HDD Recovery Software - Orion File Recovery (Windows)

< a href="https://www.nchsoftware.com/data-recovery/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Orion File Recovery can recover deleted files from Windows computers and Windows-compatible storage devices. Along with its data recovery capabilities, Orion File Recovery also includes unique features that permanently erase data from your hard drive to safeguard your privacy.

Translation:

Pros:

• Includes a Recovery File Wizard to guide you through the data recovery process
• Filters search results by folder, file type, name, and more
• Enables you to specify scan locations
• Offers additional features such as "Scrub Files" for permanent data erasure

Cons:

• The scanning process is somewhat slow
• Other utilities might be installed unintentionally while installing the software

Limitations on the free version: Unlimited data recovery.

Overall Experience can be translated to "Overall Experience" in English.

One of the attributes that make Orion File Recovery Software highly user-friendly is its built-in recovery wizard that initiates every time the program is launched. Navigating through the process of defining the search parameters for your lost files is incredibly straightforward. The software is designed to locate videos, music, images, documents, and various other file types, even if you cannot recall their specific names. However, the downside is the abundance of customizable options, which might overwhelm some users. Additionally, the reliability of the scanning results and the success rate of file recovery may not be consistently dependable.

Top 10: Windows File Recovery (Windows 10 2004 and Later)

< a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-file-recovery/9n26s50ln705#activetab=pivot:overviewtab" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Windows File Recovery is a command-line utility developed by Microsoft to restore deleted files. It is available for free on Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update) and later via the Microsoft Store. This tool can recover various file types, including but not limited to JPEG, PDF, PNG, MPEG, Office documents, MP3, MP4, and ZIP files from your hard drive or other devices.

Pros:

• It recovers JPEG, PDF, PNG, MPEG, Office files, MP3, MP4, ZIP files, and more.
• It is completely free to retrieve deleted files from HDD, SSD, USB drives, and memory cards.

Cons:

• It only works on Windows 10 version 2004 and later.
• You must use the command line to recover files based on file types.

Limitations of the free version: Limited file type recovery.

Overall Experience can be translated into English as "Overall Experience."

If you use this tool, you need to be aware of the specific file names, keywords, file paths, or extensions you wish to recover. It supports the recovery of JPEG, PDF, PNG, MPEG, Office files, MP3, MP4, and ZIP files only. Each type of file recovery requires different commands, which might be challenging for regular users to locate. This tool is entirely free and clean, and it won't install any extra software or plugins.

How to Recover Files from My Hard Drive for Free

Here are the straightforward steps to recover lost and deleted files using data recovery software for Windows: 1. **Select a Reliable Data Recovery Tool**: Choose a reputable and trustworthy data recovery software such as tools, Recuva, or Disk Drill. Make sure it is compatible with your version of Windows. 2. **Download and Install**: Visit the official website of the chosen software and download the setup file. Follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your Windows computer. 3. **Launch the Software**: Once installed, open the data recovery application. You'll typically see an intuitive interface with options to start the recovery process. 4. **Select the Damaged or Deleted Drive**: Identify the drive from which you want to recover the files. This could be a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), USB drive, or memory card. Select it in the software's list of available drives. 5. **Scan the Drive**: Click on the "Scan" or "Start Scan" button to initiate a thorough search for lost and deleted files. The software will scan both the file system and the raw data on the drive. 6. **Preview and Select Files**: While the scanning is in progress, the software may show you a preview of recoverable files. You can choose the specific files you want to recover by browsing through the different categories like images, documents, videos, etc. 7. **Choose a Save Location**: Once the scan is complete, select the files you wish to recover and choose a safe location on your computer to save them. It's crucial not to save the recovered files back to the original drive to avoid overwriting other lost data. 8. **Start the Recovery Process**: Finally, click on the "Recover" or "Start Recovery" button to begin the file retrieval process. Wait for the software to complete the task. 9. **Verify Recovered Files**: After the recovery is finished, check the saved folder to ensure that the files have been successfully restored and are in a readable format. Remember, data recovery is not always guaranteed, especially if the files have been overwritten or the drive is severely damaged. Regular backups are the best way to protect your important files.

Step 1. Select the drive where you lost your data and click "Scan".

Step 2. Use "Filter" or "Search" to locate the missing files once the scan is complete.

Step 3. Choose all the files you wish to recover and click "Recover". Next, navigate to a secure location to save them.

Causes of Hard Drive Data Loss

Data loss on hard drives, whether internal or external, happens more often than you might anticipate. It is typically triggered by one or a combination of the following reasons:

• A file or folder was accidentally deleted.
• Some or all of the partitions have been formatted (for example, using Fdisk).
• The system displays the message "NTLDR is missing. Press any key to restart."
• The partition table is corrupted or damaged.
• A file or folder on your hard drive became inaccessible due to a virus attack or virus infection.

At this stage, most individuals realize the significance of having a backup. However, data loss often occurs without any backup in place. This is where the hard drive recovery software becomes essential for users.

What You Should Consider While Choosing Disk Recovery Software

Many software developers tout their hard drive recovery software as the top choice in the industry. But, what truly makes an excellent data recovery tool? Does the higher price guarantee better software? Or should one opt for free software, regardless of its quality? When selecting hard disk data recovery software, consider the following factors: 1. **Recovery Success Rate**: The effectiveness of the software in retrieving lost or deleted files is crucial. Look for testimonials and reviews that highlight the success rate. 2. **File Types Supported**: Ensure the software can recover a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, and audio files. 3. **Compatibility**: Check if the software supports the type of hard drive you have (HDD, SSD, RAID, etc.) and operates on your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux). 4. **User-Friendliness**: A good data recovery tool should have an intuitive interface that's easy to navigate, even for non-technical users. 5. **Preview Function**: The ability to preview recoverable files before recovery can help verify if they're intact and worth retrieving. 6. **Technical Support**: Look for a provider that offers reliable customer support in case you encounter any issues during the recovery process. 7. **Price**: While cost isn't always an indicator of quality, ensure you get value for your money. Consider free trials or demos before committing to a purchase. 8. **Data Privacy and Security**: Ensure the software doesn't compromise the security of your data during the recovery process. 9. **Regular Updates**: Regular updates indicate that the developer is actively maintaining and improving the software, ensuring compatibility with new file formats and systems. 10. **Positive Reviews**: Research user reviews and ratings to gauge the overall satisfaction of other users. By considering these factors, you'll be better equipped to choose the right hard drive recovery software for your needs.

First and foremost, it should adequately fulfill your needs.

Here, "needs" refers to the circumstance where you require data recovery. A出色的软件工具应该能够在各种数据丢失场景中做到从硬盘恢复数据,如误删除、格式化、分区丢失、分区/磁盘变为RAW或无法访问、病毒感染等。确保你选择的软件支持从特定的数据丢失情况中恢复数据。

Second, it should be reliable

The hard drive recovery software should be free from viruses, devoid of plugins, and must not inflict additional damage on the lost, deleted, or formatted data. Furthermore, the hard disk recovery software should not malfunction or crash during the data recovery process.

Equally important is having access to both presale and after-sales technical support from the software developers, who should be available to assist you whenever you need it.

Third, it should be swift and have a high success rate.

Depending on the hard drive capacity and the data stored on the storage device, scanning the hard drive to search for lost files can take hours. This is why speed is crucial.

Additionally, ensure that the hard drive data recovery software is capable of successfully retrieving data. To gauge its success rate, you can refer to feedback from actual users and reviews from reputable sources such as Trustpilot.

Lastly, it should be user-friendly

A superb disk recovery tool should prioritize user-friendliness by presenting a clear and instinctive interface. The process of data recovery should be as straightforward as can be. Furthermore, the software ought to incorporate advanced functionalities that enable users to swiftly pinpoint missing files. These features might encompass filters, search bars, preview windows, and more.

Of course, there may be other qualities you concern yourself with. No matter what it is, check the list above and choose the best hard drive recovery software for yourself.

Comparison Table - How to Select the Right Software |Criteria| Explanation| Importance| |---|---|---| |Functionality| The features and capabilities the software offers.| High| |Ease of Use| How intuitive and user-friendly the interface is.| High| |Compatibility| Whether the software works with your existing systems and devices.| Medium| |Customization| The extent to which you can tailor the software to your needs.| Medium| |Integration| The ability to connect with other tools or platforms you use.| High| |Price| The cost of the software, including any recurring fees or hidden charges.| High| |Support| The level of customer service and technical assistance provided.| High| |Security| Measures in place to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access.| High| |Scalability| Can the software handle your future growth and expanding needs?| Medium| |User Reviews| Feedback from current and previous users about their experience.| Medium| |Trial Period| The availability of a free trial or demo to test the software.| Medium| |Compatibility with Industry Standards| Adherence to established norms and protocols in your industry.| Low| |Localization/Language Support| Availability in multiple languages or regional settings.| Low| |Training Resources| The quality and accessibility of tutorials, documentation, and training materials.| Low| This table helps you evaluate different software options based on key factors to determine the most suitable choice for your requirements. Prioritize the criteria based on your specific needs and preferences.

Here's a comparison of different hard drive recovery software scanning the same partition (141GB total, with 127GB free) in search of deleted or lost files. Select the best option based on your requirements: You can choose the most suitable one depending on your needs.

Conclusion

Did you find the hard drive recovery software you needed from the list above? As long as your lost files are not overwritten, you can use one of the software above to give data recovery a try, but the success rate varies. The higher the software ranks, the higher the chance you will get your files back. If your hard drive is physically damaged, we’re afraid none of the software above will help. In that case, you should send your hard drive to manual data recovery services.

Hard Drive Recovery Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated by the Tools Team

What is the best hard drive recovery software in 2022?

Here is a list of the top 10 best hard drive recovery software in 2022: 1. tools Data Recovery Wizard 2. Stellar Data Recovery 3. Recuva 4. Disk Drill 5. MiniTool Power Data Recovery 6. Remo Recover 7. Data Rescue 8. Hetman Partition Recovery 9. AOMEI Backupper 10. Wise Data Recovery Please note that rankings may vary based on individual preferences and specific requirements. It's always recommended to evaluate each option before making a choice.

1. Data Recovery Wizard Tool 2. Recuva 3. Disk Drill Data Recovery 4. Wise Data Recovery 5. Ontrack Data Recovery Software 6. Recover My Files 7. PhotoRec 8. TestDisk 9. Orion File Recovery 10. Windows File Recovery

How can I recover my corrupted hard drive for free?

Steps to recover data from a corrupted hard drive for free:

Step 1: Download and install the free Data Recovery Wizard tool.

Step 2: Run the data recovery tool and select the corrupted hard disk to scan.

Step 3: Preview and recover files from the corrupted hard drive.

Can a damaged hard drive be recovered?

Yes, you can recover a damaged hard drive using professional data recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard. Download and install the hard drive recovery program on your computer. Launch it and select the damaged hard drive to scan for lost files.

How can I recover data from a 1TB hard drive?

Step 1: Download, install, and launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool.

Step 2. Select the 1TB hard drive from the disk list to scan for lost data. Translation: Step 2. Choose the 1TB hard drive from the disk list to initiate a scan for lost data.

Step 3. Review the files that have been found and restore what you want.