Friedbeef’s Tech

We’ve all gone through that sinking feeling. You empty your Windows recycling bin, only to realize 5 seconds later that you really needed that file you’ve just wiped from your PC. There’s no robust undelete functionality built into Windows – so what choices do you have?

Handy Recovery (Commercial Software)

This solution is an all encompassing one. Among its key features are:

• It allows application of filters on the results
• Shows the probability of successful recovery for each file
• Recovers files from deleted and formatted partitions
• Creates disk images for deferred recovery
• Supports restoration of compressed file formats

The only disadvantage is that it must be installed to a PC (as opposed to a free standing file in a USB stick), thus restricting it’s mobility.

Undelete Plus (Freeware)

This popular piece of freeware was released to rave reviews, and does much of what Handy Recovery can do in terms of data recovery.

It has one distinct advantage in that it has a version which does not need installation. This means you can pop it onto a thumbdrive and it becomes a mobile file recovery device. Also, because it is not installed on the hard disk, you minimize the use of it, maximizing the chances of data recovery.

Sorely missing though is the ability to revive entire partitions, and the ability to make a image of the hard drive to defer data recovery and make backup of the drive at the same time. Also, the management of the recovered files can be less user friendly when compared to Handy Recovery. All this makes Undelete Plus a free, and good – but ultimately incomplete answer to file recovery.

Conclusion:

If you prepare ahead and need to recover files, Handy Recovery is the complete package. Aside from the fact that it costs USD39.95, and it’s less mobile than Undelete Plus – the features are very complete. With data recovery, you can never be too careful.

Bonus Tips – Data Recovery FAQ:

1. What should I do immediately after accidental erasure to ensure that I can recover those files?
The most important thing is to prevent the erased file from being overwritten by another file. To do so, avoid any use of the disk where the file was erased, until after the erased file is recovered.

2. Can I do something in advance to increase my chances of file recovery?
Yes, keep your disk in good shape by regularly defragmenting it.

3. Why is recovery to the same disk not recommended?
Recovery to the same disk may overwrite the very segments of the disk that you’re trying to recover files from. That will not leave you another recovery chance.

Disclaimer: Handy Recovery has paid me to review their service, and to give an honest opinion. Please note that all opinions expressed in this post are completely my own, and have not been influenced by Handy Recovery in any way.

How have you dealt with data recovery? Tell us in the comments!

[tags]file recovery, undelete, system restore [/tags]