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Best Data Recovery Softwares for Windows and MAC: Top 3

When you delete a file on a PC, the operating system doesn’t actually delete it but puts it in the Recycle Bin. Even if you empty the Recycle Bin or delete a file with Shift+Del, the file is not erased. Only information about its location in the file system is deleted (so that the operating system can use this location to store other data in the future). As long as new information has not been written on top of deleted files, they can be recovered by reading and recognizing the contents of the media bit by bit.

You can also read: Best Data Recovery Software for SSDs

The main problem is large files that can be written to the file system in fragments (so regularly defragment disks) physically spaced across the file system. Even if the recovery program counts individual pieces of information, it will not combine them into a single whole since it does not know which part belongs to what.

Similarly, if the structure of logical volumes is corrupted or when file systems are formatted quickly. Only the structure of the file system is written to the disk. The files themselves are not deleted. They are not taken into account when working (new information is written on top of the old one). Therefore, the same bitwise reading of the contents can save the situation.

All these manipulations are easily performed with the help of appropriate software without the need for the participation of any specialists. In this detailed article, we will learn about the top 3 Data Recovery Softwares for Windows and MAC.

1. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – the best data recovery software

Official website:easeus.com
Year of the first release:2004
Supported platforms:Windows, macOS
Ease of use:Easy
Supported systems:FAT, exFAT, NTFS
Cost:Flexible

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is software from one of the most prominent players in the data recovery industry. The first release took place in 2004. Now the number of users worldwide exceeds 200 million people. The program is used in more than 160 countries, and the interface is translated into many languages, including Russian.

The most popular desktop platforms are supported – Windows and macOS, there are solutions even for mobile devices.

“Fast, reliable performance. Recovers many files other products couldn’t recover in testing. Easy sorting of deleted files and specific file types” – Edward Mendelson, pcmag.com

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is only a part of the software tools provided by the development company. There are also utilities for backup, disk management, a video editor, and other software.

Pros:

Cons:

Cost:

Data recovery in the above limit can be completely free. For larger volumes and additional functions, you need to pay for the Pro version:

2. Recuva – a free software to reanimate files from hard drives and flash drives

Official website:ccleaner.com/recuva
Year of the first release:2007
Supported platforms:Windows
Ease of use:Easy
Supported systems:FAT, exFAT, NTFS
Cost:Flexible

Piriform Recuva is a small shareware utility with closed code, distributed by the developer of another well-known software: CCleaner. Among the supported platforms, only Windows is listed. For the first time, the program was presented in 2007, the last update – in 2017. However, Recuva also works on modern versions of the OS, including Windows 10.

“Recuva is attractively priced and easy to use, though it can’t dig in quite as deeply as higher-priced data recovery software.” – Edward Mendelson, pcmag.com

The interface is as simple as possible. There are two scanning modes, like many paid competitors: fast and deep. The software can recognize many file formats and offers data search in selected locations (directories, logical volumes, etc.).

Pros:

Cons:

Cost:

If you are not satisfied with the conditions of the free version of the utility, you can switch to the PRO-version:

3. Disk Drill – software for recovering deleted files

Official website:cleverfiles.com
Year of the first release:2010
Supported platforms:macOS, Windows
Ease of use:Easy
Supported systems:FAT, exFAT, NTFS
Cost:Flexible

Disk Drill is another professional solution from a significant market player. The developer is CleverFiles (508 Software, LLC). For the first time, the software was introduced in 2010, and it all began exclusively with the Macintosh platform. The version for Windows appeared only in 2015. Currently, the company’s software products are used by more than 500 thousand people around the world.

“Disk Drill is an awesome free file recovery program, both because of its long list of features and its exceptionally simple-to-use interface.” – Tim Fisher, lifewire.com

Disk Drill is a comprehensive solution for data recovery. The program can create an image of the current disk for subsequent analysis, protect information from erasure during the OS’s operation, and implement several additional functions (but so far only in macOS).

Pros:

Cons:

Cost:

After the trial ends (Basic version), you can choose a paid license:

Upgrading from the old version to the new one without lifetime updates is provided with a 50% discount.

How to choose a data recovery program

Since the information is deleted on the device, it is essential to understand all the circumstances of the incident: which operating system the device is controlled by, what version and bitness of the OS, on which file system it runs, whether or not there is a shadow backup, whether the partition structure is preserved or not, whether there is a failure in the hardware, for example, an error reading disk blocks or a virus blocker in the system, etc.

From each of these factors, it is necessary to build on them. Some versions of programs are designed exclusively for Windows. Some can be cross-platform. Some allow you to create self-contained boot disks and run without an operating system (which is preferable). If the file was deleted from the Recycle Bin, simple utilities such as Piriform Recuva and analogs could easily cope. But if the file is large, for example, a video or image, then when restored, they are likely to be damaged. Here it would be best if you chose professional software, such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

For some specific situations, you need to select narrow-profile solutions, such as support for the APFS file system, Disk Drill definitely has it.

Can I recover data from a hard drive or flash drive by myself?

Self-service media recovery is the preferred option. If you seek help from specialists, they will do precisely the same – install a specialized program or use a ready-made boot disk, scan and restore the necessary information.

The help of a pro will be justified in the most non-standard situations when you have a mechanically damaged or simply faulty carrier on your hands. For example, in this case, you can try to use a donor device and “transplant” a spindle with disks on it. The disk will not last long, but you can try to read the data. And so on.

Otherwise, you can act independently. The main thing is to choose the right software and do everything as carefully as possible:

If you have difficulties with the configuration – refer to the official documentation. And if the software is paid, it is better to go straight to technical support (this service, in most cases, is included in the price).

Conclusions and Recommendations

It should be understood that Data Recovery programs do not just have to do a lot. It would be best if you also used them correctly. Yes, there are paid and free Data Recovery programs, with open and closed source, only for Windows, Mac, cross-platform, etc. But even super-crafted software can be useless if it is used differently than the developers intended.

At such moments, you begin to understand why it is better to choose paid solutions with technical support enabled. Moreover, the value of the recovered information can sometimes be much higher. Whether it is worth saving in such situations – everyone decides for himself.

I hope this article about the top 3 Data Recovery Softwares for Windows and MAC was helpful. If you have any questions, please comment below.

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