Recover Missing Files - brownvesect1978

ZyrrahXD asked the Utilities forum for advice on recovering missing files.

If a file, triplex files, or a folder goes missing from your disk drive, you've got a pretty good hazard of getting it back. And the better your computing habits, the better your chances.

But first, a warning: Every time you write to your disk drive, you reduce those chances. Indeed void using your computer for all the world differently file recovery until you've either with success recovered the files or given up.

The file might not really be missing. It whitethorn have accidentally been moved to another location. To get word, use Windows' search capabilities to look to the file name. If that doesn't help, try searching for a watchword or phrase that you know is in the file, but not liable to be elsewhere.

In Windows 7 or Vista, you can use the Search field in the upper-right corner of any Windows Internet Explorer windowpane. In XP, select Start>Explore.

If that doesn't trash out, try the Recycle Binful; there's a link to information technology connected your desktop.

When Windows "deletes" files, it actually places them into the Reuse Bin for easy recovery. If the charge hasn't been missing long, information technology should equal there.

Of run over, if the Bin has been emptied, surgery if for several reason the file bypassed the Bin, you'll indigence to look elsewhere.

And the best elsewhere to look is your backup. That is, of course, assumptive you regularly backup your files. If you put on't, read How Coiffe I Backup? and start edifice several good habits–even if information technology's too late for those habits to help oneself you this time.

If you don't have a good backup, you'll possess to try a file recuperation program. And you want to use a portable computer programme–one that doesn't have to cost installed.

Wherefore? As I said in a higher place, you preceptor't want to indite to a lignified drive that you're hoping to recover files from. You can download a portable program from another computer and save it to a flash drive. Then run the program dispatch of the flash motor connected your computer.

And the program I recommend is Recuva Take-away. It's leisurely to use, free, outboard, and effective.

If software doesn't mould, you may postulate to remove the hard drive and take IT to a professional (or have the professional remove IT). There's belik a topical anaestheti shop where someone WHO knows what they're doing can search the drive more thoroughly. Or, if you'Re really desperate, you can station it to a company like Ontrack or DriveSavers, where they can remove the ram down apart for a significant amount of money.

Kinda makes you wish you'd backed up, doesn't it?

Read the original forum discussion.

Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes all but technology and cinema. E-mail your tech questions to him at answer@pcworld.com , or post them to a community of helpful folks on the PCW Solution Line forum . Come after Lincoln on Twitter , or subscribe to the Resolution Line newssheet , e-mailed weekly.