Best Free Data Recovery Software of 2024
Recover lost files with these free data recovery tools. These applications can retrieve documents, videos, images, music, and more from your hard drive, USB drive, media card, and other storage devices. It’s a good idea for every computer owner to have a recovery program installed as soon as possible, ideally right after acquiring a new computer or installing an operating system.
Our Top Free Data Recovery Tools
I’ve listed these tools based on ease of use and the features they offer. Start with our top recommendations and move down the list if you need alternatives.
Recuva
What We Like
- Lots of advanced options
- Easy to use with a wizard walkthrough
- Compatible with most Windows operating systems
What We Don’t Like
- Infrequent updates
Recuva is the best free data recovery software available. It’s simple to use but also offers many advanced features. I always recommend it as the first choice for anyone needing this type of tool.
The software can retrieve files from hard drives, external drives (including USB drives), BD/DVD/CD discs, and memory cards. It can even recover data from your iPod!
Recovering a file with Recuva is as straightforward as deleting one! I suggest trying Recuva first if you need to restore a file.
This free program from Piriform works with Windows 11, 10, 8 & 8.1, 7, Vista, and XP. I tested file recovery with v1.53 on Windows 11.
Disk Drill
Pros
- Organizes deleted files by type for easier browsing
- Allows filtering results by size and/or date
- Includes both quick scan and deep scan modes
- Compatible with various file systems
Cons
- Only recovers up to 500 MB of data
- Requires installation (no portable version)
Disk Drill is an excellent free data recovery program, thanks to its features and very user-friendly design, which makes it hard to get confused.
According to their website, Disk Drill can recover data from “virtually any storage device,” including internal and external hard drives, USB devices, memory cards, and iPods.
Some handy features include previewing files before recovery, pausing and resuming scans, partition recovery, full drive backup, filtering files by date or size, running a quick or full scan for faster results, and saving scan results for later use.
The main drawback is the 500 MB recovery limit, which is quite small if you need to recover a lot of data.
The latest version is compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows 11 and Windows 10, and macOS 10.15 and newer. Older versions support Windows 8 through XP.
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Pandora Recovery has been integrated into Disk Drill as its current file recovery program.
Wise Data Recovery
What We Like
- Scans for deleted files quickly
- Offers a portable option
What We Don’t Like
- Cannot recover more than 2 GB of data
- Doesn’t indicate file usability before recovery
- Recovery process doesn’t maintain the original folder structure
Wise Data Recovery is a user-friendly software for undeleting files. I appreciate its quick installation and efficient scanning of my PC. It also supports scanning USB devices like memory cards.
The instant search feature allows for easy retrieval of deleted files, and there are options for both quick and full scans based on your needs.
However, be aware that this program does not assess the recoverability of files before restoring them and has a 2 GB limit on data recovery.
Wise Data Recovery is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as macOS. The portable version is obtainable via Softpedia.
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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
What We Like
- Backup scan results to recover files later without rescanning the entire drive
- Compatible with Windows and macOS
- Sort files by type, date removed, and name
- Browse folders similarly to File Explorer
- Preview files before recovery
What We Don’t Like
- Only 2 GB of data recovery allowed for free
- No portable version available
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is an excellent tool for recovering deleted files. It’s straightforward to use, requiring just a few clicks.
I particularly appreciate that its interface resembles File Explorer. Though this might not suit everyone, it’s a familiar design that many users are used to.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can recover deleted files from hard drives, optical drives, memory cards, iOS devices, cameras, and virtually any storage device recognized by Windows. It also supports partition recovery!
Note that the free version of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard allows recovery of up to 512 MB of data, which can be extended to 2 GB if you share the software on social media. Although this limitation might be a drawback, it will suffice for smaller recovery needs. Luckily, there are many other programs to consider.
This software is compatible with macOS versions 10.9 to 14, Windows versions 7 through 11, as well as Windows Server 2003 to 2022.
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Windows File Recovery
What We Like
- Microsoft-approved method
- Works with internal and external drives, including SD cards
- Lots of options
What We Don’t Like
- Requires Windows 11 or 10
- Works over the command line
- Must restore to a different drive
Microsoft offers a tool for data recovery, though it might not be as user-friendly as some other programs. This utility operates through the command line, meaning you’ll need to type out commands. Nevertheless, the process remains straightforward.
To recover files, download and install Windows File Recovery, then find it in the Start menu to open it. On the command line interface, you can input a command like the one below to recover PNG images from your C drive’s Downloads folder and transfer them to the Images folder on drive E:
winfr C: E:\Images /n \Users\jonfi\Downloads\*PNGThis tool is available only for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.
Because using this tool involves a bit more effort than standard applications with graphical interfaces, it’s advisable to refer to Microsoft’s support page for detailed instructions and additional examples. This resource explains how to recover single files, multiple file types simultaneously, how to use wildcards, and more.
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Puran File Recovery
Puran File Recovery v1.2. © Puran Software
Pros
- Offers two methods to display deleted files
- Can run in a portable version
- Scans NTFS and FAT12/16/32 file systems
- Clearly indicates the recoverability of files
Cons
- Free for personal use only
- Receives updates infrequently
Puran File Recovery is one of the better options I’ve seen. I don’t like that it’s so outdated, but that doesn’t affect its functionality. It’s very easy to use, will scan any drive that Windows sees, and has a lot of advanced options if you need them.
One particular thing to note is that Puran File Recovery identified more files on my test machine than most other tools, so be sure to give this one a shot in addition to Recuva if it didn’t find what you were looking for.
This tool will even recover lost partitions if they haven’t been overwritten yet.
It’s said to work with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. It’s also available in a portable form for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, so it doesn’t require installation.
Glarysoft File Recovery Free
What We Like
- Effortless browsing for deleted files
- Recover files to any directory
What We Don’t Like
- Gratis recovery capped at 2 GB
- Installer attempts to bundle additional software
- No indication of file recovery chances
- Non-portable, installation required
Glarysoft File Recovery Free is a straightforward file recovery app. It’s not as feature-packed as some top-tier alternatives, but it’s easy to use and functional.
Select a drive, scan for lost files, then choose the ones to restore. You can start the recovery process before the scan completes, avoiding any unnecessary wait. You can also pause the scanning.
Filters are available by file type, deletion time, size, and keywords. You can customize which file extensions are categorized as videos, documents, and so on; adding custom types is also possible.
The free version has a 2 GB recovery limit. This should suffice for infrequent users with small-sized files.
Compatible with FAT, NTFS, and EFS file systems. Tested version 1 on Windows 10.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
What We Like
- User-friendly, modern interface
- Recovers files from different types of storage media
- Quick file deletion scan
- Recovers multiple folders at the same time
- Pause the file scan midway
What We Don’t Like
- No portable version available
- Only 1 GB of recovery for free
Unlike other file recovery tools, this one requires prior installation on your computer, which might pose a risk of overwriting the deleted files, making recovery harder.
Another caveat is that you’re limited to recovering just 1 GB of data without upgrading to the paid version. However, for users with modest needs, 1 GB might suffice for several hundred images.
On the positive side, the software efficiently scans for deleted files, allowing recovery from both internal and USB drives. It’s also adept at restoring data from the desktop, Recycle Bin, and specific folders.
Additional features include searching through deleted files, recovering multiple folders or files simultaneously, exporting the deleted file list to a text file, pausing or stopping the scan as needed, and filtering results by name, extension, size, and date.
The software supports Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. My tests were conducted on Windows 11.
iBeesoft Data Recovery Free
Advantages
- User-friendly
- Allows preview for files up to 100 MB
- Pause and resume features available
- Immediate search
- Category-specific search (e.g., only archives or documents)
Disadvantages
- Free recovery capped at 2 GB
- Lack of advanced search capabilities
- Requires installation; no portable version
- Doesn’t restore to original folder; selection needed manually
This application is entirely free to use but limited to 2 GB of data recovery. For larger tasks, consider another program or purchasing the full version.
iBeesoft’s file recovery tool is very user-friendly, ad-free, and simple to navigate. It lets you choose a drive, folder, Desktop, or Recycle Bin to recover files from.
The website claims support for over a thousand file types, likely including those you need to undelete. It’s effective for recovering files from various devices, not just hard drives, but also cameras, memory cards, and music players.
Noteworthy features include instant search, the ability to sort columns to find the largest deleted files or group similar file types together, and customizable search settings for specific file types (e.g., Archives, Pictures, Video, Audio).
I tested file recovery on Windows 11, and it performed as expected. It is also compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7. Note that the Mac version can only recover up to 200 MB of data.
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FreeUndelete
FreeUndelete. © Recoveronix Ltd
What We Like
- Can undelete files from a variety of storage devices
- Simple user interface that’s easy to navigate
- Offers a portable version
- Useful filtering and sorting options
- Supports the restoration of entire folders, single files, or multiple files
- Indicates recovery success before starting the process
What We Don’t Like
- Designed for home use only, not for commercial purposes
- Does not receive updates anymore
FreeUndelete is straightforward — it’s free and recovers deleted files! It’s very similar to other undelete tools in this ranking.
The standout feature of FreeUndelete is its user-friendly interface and “folder drill down” capability, which organizes recoverable files in a manageable way.
FreeUndelete can recover files from hard drives, memory cards, and other storage devices connected to your PC.
The supported operating systems include Windows 7, XP, and some versions of Windows Server. I tested it on Windows 10 without any issues, so it should also be compatible with Windows 11, 8, and other versions.
CD Recovery Toolbox
CD Recovery Toolbox Free. © Recovery Toolbox
What We Like
- Designed specifically to undelete files from discs
- Program is simple to use
- Supports several Windows operating systems
What We Don’t Like
- Won’t recover files from hard drives (since it isn’t built for that purpose)
CD Recovery Toolbox is a completely free and unique file recovery program. It’s designed to recover files from damaged or corrupted optical drive discs — CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and more.
According to the publisher, CD Recovery Toolbox can help recover files from discs that are scratched, chipped, or have surface spotting.
A significant limitation is its inability to recover files from hard drives or portable media drives, which is understandable since it wasn’t designed for that.
CD Recovery Toolbox is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, NT, ME, and 98. It was tested successfully on Windows 7.
ADRC Data Recovery Tools
ADRC Data Recovery Tools. © Adroit Data Recovery Centre Pte Ltd
What We Like
- Extremely small file size
- Works from any portable location (no installation needed)
- Simple and easy-to-understand user interface
What We Don’t Like
- Not compatible with Windows 8 or newer versions
- Hasn’t been updated since 2008
ADRC Data Recovery Tools is a reliable, free tool for file recovery. Its straightforward approach ensures that even a basic computer user can navigate it without needing additional documentation.
The software can recover deleted files from various non-CD/DVD storage devices such as memory cards, USB drives, and hard drives.
While officially supporting operating systems like Windows XP, 2000, and 95, the program also works on Windows Vista and Windows 7. Being a standalone program of just 132 KB, it is a highly portable tool that fits effortlessly on any removable storage you use.
Attempts to run version 1.1 on Windows 8 and 10, however, were unsuccessful.
Orion File Recovery Software
Orion File Recovery. © NCH Software
What We Like
- Displays a file’s “recovery potential,” indicating the likelihood of successful recovery
- Allows scanning for specific file types or all file types
- Supports scanning various storage devices
- Includes a feature for permanently deleting data
What We Don’t Like
- Setup might attempt to install additional programs
Orion File Recovery Software, developed by NCH Software, is a free tool that offers similar functionalities to other file recovery programs.
The software includes a user-friendly wizard that allows you to scan for specific file types (such as documents, images, videos, music, or custom file types) right from the start. Additionally, you can perform a complete scan of your drive to find all file types.
Orion can scan internal and external hard drives, as well as flash drives and memory cards, for deleted files. It features an instant search function to help you quickly locate and evaluate the recovery potential of each file.
Interestingly, the program also serves as a data destruction tool, giving you the option to securely erase files so they cannot be recovered in future scans.
One minor issue is that the installation process may try to add other NCH Software programs, but these can be easily deselected to avoid installation.
Orion File Recovery Software is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Stellar Data Recovery Free Edition
What We Like
- Guides you through an easy-to-follow wizard
- Allows you to choose the location for restored data
- Quick installation
- Preview files like documents and images before recovering
What We Don’t Like
- Limits recovery to only 1 GB otherwise need to buy a plan
- Cannot undelete files over 25 MB unless upgraded
- Poorly designed search tool
- No portable version available
- Requires a separate hard drive for file restoration
This Stellar free data recovery software is user-friendly as it navigates you through a simple wizard, enabling you to select what and where to search for deleted files.
One standout feature is the ability to preview files during the scanning process, letting you see in real time which files have been found before the scan is complete.
Another beneficial feature is the option to save the list of deleted files upon exiting the results screen, allowing you to continue your data recovery at a later time.
However, this program is listed towards the bottom due to its severe limitations. It’s useful in specific instances, but don’t rely on it for extensive data recovery without upgrading.
Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, as well as macOS 14 and older versions.
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BPlan Data Recovery
BPlan Data Recovery. © bplandatarecovery
What We Like
- Recovers files from standard hard drives and cameras
- Guides you through a wizard to retrieve deleted files
What We Don’t Like
- Outdated, unattractive interface
- Not as user-friendly as other data recovery tools
- May not install correctly
- Supports a limited number of file formats
BPlan Data Recovery is a file recovery software similar to others available. While its interface may not be the most appealing, it is capable of recovering various types of deleted files.
Using this program can be a bit challenging due to the layout of the results, which can make it unclear what actions to take. Despite this, it successfully found and recovered images, documents, videos, and other file types.
This software officially supports Windows 8, 7, and XP. I tested the latest version on Windows 7.
During my use, the desktop shortcut created by the installer did not work properly. If you encounter this issue, you may need to start bplan.exe from this directory: “C:\Program Files (x86)\BPlan data recovery\”.
SoftPerfect File Recovery
What We Like
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Operates from portable devices such as flash drives
- Allows searching for deleted files by extension or name
- Supports batch file restoration
What We Don’t Like
- Supports only the two most common file systems
- No preview for image files before recovery
- Cannot estimate recovery success rate
- Discontinued, so no further updates
SoftPerfect File Recovery provides an uncomplicated way to find recoverable files, making it accessible for almost anyone to use with ease.
This program can recover files from hard drives, memory cards, and any other data storage devices connected to your PC, barring CD/DVD drives.
It’s a tiny 500 KB standalone application, enhancing its portability. You can run it from a USB drive or a floppy disk. Check the download page for the link.
This software is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2008 & 2003, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95, including 64-bit versions as per the developer’s website.
I successfully tested v1.2 on Windows 10.
PhotoRec
Pros
- Recovers files from various storage media
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS
Cons
- Prone to recovering unwanted files
- Lacks a graphical interface
PhotoRec is a free file recovery tool that effectively undeletes files, though it’s not as user-friendly as some other options.
The tool relies on a command-line interface and requires several steps to complete the recovery process. The main drawback is the difficulty in selectively recovering only specific deleted files.
PhotoRec can recover data from hard drives, optical drives, and memory cards, making it capable of handling file recovery from any storage device connected to your PC.
If other programs fail, consider trying PhotoRec, but it may not be the best first choice. It was tested on Windows 7, but since it supports at least Windows Vista, it should work on Windows 11, 10, and 8. Additionally, it’s also compatible with Mac and Linux systems.
PhotoRec comes bundled with TestDisk, but you should open the file named photorec_win (for Windows) to use it.
UndeleteMyFiles Pro
What We Like
- Guides you through a simple wizard to recover files
- Offers a feature to restore deleted files from a system backup
- Provides two modes to view deleted files
- Search tool allows searching by attributes, size, etc.
- Enables permanent deletion of files
What We Don’t Like
- May not function correctly on Windows 11/10
- Doesn’t show the recoverability state of files
UndeleteMyFiles Pro is a free file recovery tool. Despite the “Pro” in its name, the software is completely free.
You can choose between Tree View and Detailed View for browsing files. File preview entails restoring data to a temporary folder and then opening it.
Its Emergency Disk Image feature is particularly useful. It creates a snapshot of your system, consolidates the data into one file, and allows you to search for deleted files within that snapshot. This prevents new data from overwriting recoverable files on your hard drive.
The search feature is robust, letting you filter by file location, type, size, and attributes.
A drawback is the absence of information about the recoverability of files during the recovery process, unlike other programs.
In tests, it performed well on Windows 8 and XP, but not as expected on Windows 10 with version 3.1.
Restoration
Restoration.
What We Like
- Really easy to use
- Portable program
- Several ways to sort the results
- Can search for empty deleted files
- Lets you overwrite the deleted data
What We Don’t Like
- Might not work in Windows 11/10/8.
- Can’t restore a whole folder at once, just single files
- Doesn’t indicate how recoverable the file is before restoration
The thing I like most about Restoration is how incredibly simple it is to recover files. There are no cryptic buttons or complicated file recovery procedures — everything you need is in one, easy-to-understand program window.
This program can recover files from hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other external drives.
Like some of the other popular data recovery tools on this list, Restoration is small and doesn’t need to be installed, allowing it to be run from a USB drive.
However, its inability to recover a whole folder at once (just single files) makes it hard to recommend over some of the other, better choices. I also don’t like that there’s no indication about a file’s recoverability before you try to get it back.
Restoration is said to support Windows Vista, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I successfully tested it with Windows 7 and didn’t run into any problems. However, v3.2.13 didn’t work for me in Windows 11, 10, or 8.
Why These Programs?
True, there are many more file recovery programs than those listed above, but I’ve only included true freeware file recovery programs that also undelete wide ranges of files. I didn’t mention options that are shareware/free trials, nor ones that won’t undelete reasonably sized files.
FAQ
- What data recovery tools do police use?
- Law enforcement agents use forensics tools to search computers for digital evidence. Forensics tools can’t always completely recover files, but they can find traces of data that can be helpful in investigations.
- Can I recover files from a failed hard drive?
- Yes, but file recovery programs probably won’t help if the hard drive is physically damaged. In that case, you need to get it professionally serviced.
- Why does my iPhone show “Attempting data recovery”?
- A bug in iOS can cause the “Attempting data recovery” message on your iPhone. So, restart your iPhone and update iOS.
