There are many free data recovery programs are available that can simply help you to recover accidentally deleted files. And these file recovery tools will help you to recover or “restore” your lost files on your computer. Hence, today in this article I will show you an awesome list in which we have mentioned top 20 best open source data recovery tools.
Top 20 Best Open Source Data Recovery Tools
Many times we have all accidentally deleted a file at least once, either deleted files from a card of our digital camera, deleted data from a pen drive by accident or lost important files from a USB memory card.
So, at that moment we simply ask ourselves that how can I recover those deleted files?
You have to know that when you delete a file, what you really do is “mark it as a reusable space”, so it’s relatively easy to recover it (as long as you have not written it over). Hence, in this article, we will make a selection of 15 totally free programs to recover deleted files from our discs or memories.
Interestingly and although there are numerous tools available to recover deleted files, it is common for many users to believe that this is not possible, or that they have to pay large amounts of money to be able to have their files safe and sound. But, the fact is quite different.
As there are many free data recovery programs are available that can simply help you to recover accidentally deleted files. And these file recovery tools will help you to recover or “restore” your lost files on your computer.
But, do you know that files that have been deleted often are still present on the hard drive (or USB drive, a multimedia card, smartphones, etc.), hence, they can be recovered easily simply by using all these free data recovery software that we have mentioned below in this list.
Also Read: How To Fix WDF_VIOLATION BSOD Error On Windows 10
Where do the files go when they are deleted?
Before you start it is important that you understand a couple of things about this process. First, the reason that deleted files can be recovered when it comes to a normal hard drive, is because the operating system does not actually remove them entirely from the sectors they occupy on the device (even when you empty the recycle bin), but something similar happens to that they are marked as not important and it is considered that the space they occupied can be overwritten.
When the system needs space for new files and simply overwrites those where the files were deleted, that is when they will be permanently lost. While this does not happen, a data recovery program can scan the disk and find anything that has not yet been overwritten to recover it.
With that detail in mind, it would make sense that when you want to recover files from a hard drive, stop using the device immediately, to avoid overwriting the space by adding new files. That is why it is advisable to install the recovery tools in a portable way on a USB drive, or if possible, remove the hard drive from your computer and connect it to another where you have installed the software you are going to use.
So, now without wasting much time let get started and explore the list that we have mentioned below.
1. Recuva
The guys from Piriform have made a great program to recover deleted files called Recuva. The program allows performing a quick or deep search, both on hard drives and external drives. And not only that even it also allow to recover all the files like emails in applications such as Outlook or Thunderbird that were accidentally deleted.
It also has a portable version, which we recommend to run from a different disk to the one you want to recover, to simply avoid overwriting this data.
2. Pandora Recovery
Pandora is an excellent data recovery software that allows you to recover deleted files from FAT, NTFS and NTFS/EFS partitions. It is very simple to use and has a very user-friendly interface.
Moreover, in Pandora Recovery, a more advanced “Surface Scan” is available that must recover more files than the standard search, as long as they are of a popular format. Pandora Recovery recovers files from hard drives, memory cards, etc. Almost anything that stores files that can also be connected to your PC must be supported.
Now if we talk about the support then let me clarify that Pandora Recovery supports Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003 and 2000, but works perfectly well on Windows 10, 8 and 7 as well.
3. TestDisk and PhotoRec
If you are looking for a complete and more advanced application, then you have a perfect choice, yes, I am talking about the well-known TestDisk PhotoRec, a GPL license pack that will allow you to use the disks to observe all types of information and recover or repair partitions, make copies of security, and even recover files from FAT, NTFS or even EXT2/EXT3 partitions.
It is available for DOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, SunOS, and Mac. Recently they have included a graphical interface, apart from its very powerful command line version, for which it is recommended to have advanced knowledge.
4. Stellar Data Recovery
The Stellar Phoenix brand stands today as one of the most reputable IT software brands thanks to a wide range of data services designed to rescue users from difficult situations. Stellar Data Recovery can be used to restore files that you have deleted accidentally. It can also be used to recover data from damaged or corrupt hard drives or unmounted partitions.
The advantages that we love is that it includes the ability to recover data from external hard drives, USB flash drives, and damaged CDs or DVDs. The tool also supports cloning, which can be used to copy the entire file system or a volume to a new hard disk in the event that yours is failing.
5. Undelete 360
It is freeware application to recover files, available in installable and portable version. The interface is very evocative of the new style of the tech giant Microsoft applications and has several types of search filters.
6. MiniTool Power Data Recovery
The MiniTool Power Data Recovery is one of the well-known recovery tools available in the market and the free edition simply allows you to recover deleted files, damaged partitions, partitions with lost data or USB drives from digital cameras, auxiliary memories, pen drives or optical media (CD or DVD).
7. Glary Undelete
Glary Undelete is an excellent free file recovery program. It is very easy to use and has one of the best user interfaces ever I’ve seen.
However, the biggest advantages of Glary Undelete is that it includes the easy view of “folders”, a view of Windows Explorer-style recoverable files, and a prominent indication of “Status” for each file, suggesting if file recoverable or not (success rate).
A disadvantage of Glary Undelete is that the installation is required before it can be used and it simply asks you to install a toolbar, which you can of course decline. Apart from these facts, Glary Undelete is one of the best tools in its segment class.
Moreover, the well-known recovery tool, of course, I am talking about the Glary Undelete can recover files from hard drives and any removable media including the memory cards, USB drives, etc.
8. SoftPerfect File Recovery
This well-known recovery tool, of course, SoftPerfect File Recovery simply allows recovering deleted files in a very simple way from the hard drives, USB drives, Compact Flash or SD cards, etc. And not only that even it also supports FAT and NTFS partitions with compression and encryption. Wile, the most interesting thing about this awesome tool is that it does not need any installation.
9. Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery is a free recovery program that is really simple to use. As the program installs very quickly and simply start its scanning process very fast. Wise Data Recovery can simply scan various USB devices, such as memory cards and other removal devices.
An instant search function makes it very easy and quick to search for deleted files that Wise Data Recovery features. A Recoverability column shows the probability that a file will recover with good, bad, very bad, or lost and simply right-click on the file that you want to restore.
10. Disk Drill
Disk Drill is an excellent free data recovery program, not only for its features but also because of its very simple design, which makes it almost impossible to get confused. The Disk Drill website says it can recover data (up to 500 MB) from “virtually any storage device,” such as internal and external hard drives, USB devices, memory cards, and the iPod.
Disk Drill can also preview image files before recovering them, stopping scans and resumes later, performing partition recovery, backing up the entire disk, filtering files by date or size, running a quick scan in comparison With a full scan for faster results and saves scanning of the results so you can easily import back to the recovery of deleted files at a later time.
11. Restoration
The ‘Restoration’ tool is one of the best recovery tools available in the market and this tools an ultralight application that simply allows you to recover files quickly and easily, without any complications. You only need to establish the unit where you want to perform the search.
And not only that as this well-known ultralight file recovery application also allows you to filter the targeted drives by the name you are looking for as well.
12. ADRC
ADRC, as its name is already showing that it is a lightweight and small recovery toolset that simply allows you to perform tasks such as recovering files, copying files directly (RAW copy), backing up or modifying the boot.
13. Free File Recovery
Basically, Free File Recovery is a freeware Windows recovery program to restore all the files that have been deleted accidentally from your computer. As this little tool simply allows you to recover files from disks or USB memories and it can be run from a USB drive and supports FAT, NTFS, and EFS encryption.
14. NTFS Undelete
Basically, the well-known NTFS Undelete is a recovery tool that simply allows you to recover all your deleted files in just a few clicks. As this well-known recovery tool, of course, I am talking about the NTFS Undelete recovers all the deleted file from your hard drive even if you have emptied the Recycle Bin.
Moreover, this well-known recovery tool, of course, NTFS Undelete simply allows you to perform recovery tasks of deleted files, but, particularly oriented to disks with partitions in Microsoft’s NTFS format.
15. FreeUndelete
FreeUndelete is a free tool that simply allows you to recover all the files that you have accidentally deleted. It is very similar to other recovery utilities around this range in our list.
However, the main advantage of FreeUndelete is its easy-to-use interface and its “deepen folder” functionality (that is, the files available for recovery are not displayed in a large unmanageable profile). FreeUndelete recovers files from hard drives, memory cards and other similar storage devices on your PC.
16. Unformat
If you are looking for an easy and lightweight recovery tool then you are at right place, as the well-known recovery tool, Unformat simply allows you to scan your entire disks including external USB, thumb drives, and SD cards simply to recover all the files that you deleted accidentally.
17. Active Boot Disk Lite
Basically, this tool, of course, I am talking about the Active Boot Disk Lite is a bootable operating system image which can be used simply to obtain access to the hard disk when the installed operating system (OS) of your PC or computer won’t boot, so that you can copy all your data to an external HDD (hard drive) before reinstalling the operating system (OS).
18. Puran File Recovery
The well-known Puran File Recovery is one of the well-known free data recovery tools that I’ve ever seen. As it is very easy to use and simply scan any Windows drive you see, and not only that even it has a lot of advanced options if you need them.
One thing to keep in mind, in particular, is that the well-known Puran File Recovery identifies more files than any other recovery tools, hence, if you have already used Recuva and unable to recover the file that you want to restore then simply give it a try, as it worth it.
Moreover, this well-known recovery tool, of course, Puran File Recovery will recover even lost partitions if they have not yet been overwritten.
19. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is another great file recovery program, as with this tool the file recovery is very easy to do with just a few clicks.
One of the best aspects of EASEUS Data Recovery Wizard is that the user interface is structured in a similar way to Windows Explorer. While the ideal way may not be everyone’s taste to show the files, it’s a very familiar interface that most people feel comfortable with.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will recover files from hard drives, optical drives, memory cards, and almost anything else that Windows sees as a storage device. It also does partition recovery as well.
20. CD Recovery Toolbox
This recovery tool is basically designed to recover all the data present on damaged CDs and DVDs. If the CDs and DVDs are scratched or faded, and you know that there is still some readable on the disk then let me clarify that this is the tool that you are looking for, as this tool can simply recover all the damaged or deleted data from all types of damaged CDs and DVDs.
Also Read: How To Recover Files From Corrupted USB Drive 2018
These data recovery tools are our best recommendations to recover all your deleted file that you have deleted accidentally. As here we saw some very functional and simple feature, and other features are made for those people who something much more.
Hence, as a suggestion, we recommend you to use and try some of these tools simply to find one that meets your expectations. So, what do you think about this list? Simply share all your views and thoughts in the comment section below.
