Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Recovered deleted files, but file not readable in Windows 10

Apr 5, 2017 2:20PM PDT

I am attempting to recover some deleted files on an old HDD using some free recovery software. Currently I am working with Recuva. I did a deep scan on the HDD and it came up with over 1 million video files that it found. During the recovery portion of the process it said it was 'ignoring' over 600 of the files and only recovering like maybe 250 video files.
When trying to watch using the Windows 10 media player almost all of are "unreadable". So, basically I'm not really recovering much data. Does anyone know anything about successfully recovering deleted files? Are paid recovery programs better than the free ones?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Don't panic yet.
Apr 5, 2017 2:41PM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
make sure you put all recovered files...
Apr 5, 2017 3:04PM PDT

...into the same folder since some video files are in parts, that is strung across multiple files, especially if they are from retail DVD's.

- Collapse -
File types are specified
Apr 5, 2017 3:39PM PDT

In the Recuva program you can select what file types you want recovered. I just selected all video file types (MP4, MPEG4, .AVI, ect) and saved them to a specific folder. I'm just wondering why it won't recover ALL the video files that its finding and then the ones that do get recovered.. Why are most of them corrupted or unreadable.

- Collapse -
One simple reason
Apr 5, 2017 3:59PM PDT

WMP doesn't play all files wtihout more decoders.

Did you try VLC Player yet? Free, safe from Ninite.com

- Collapse -
Answer
I think i got the answer
Apr 5, 2017 6:37PM PDT

I downloaded the VLC player and i can view a few more media files, but still not finding what I'm looking for. Plus, there are not enough video recovered. Maybe my issue is with the recovery software and not the media players.
I'll ask in a different Question relating to recovery software. Thanks everyone Grin Happy

- Collapse -
Usually Recuva does as good as its going to get.
Apr 5, 2017 7:14PM PDT

Asking if there is something better than Recuva will get you answers to send it to places like drivesavers.com.

- Collapse -
Even the "deep scan" is not returning enough data
Apr 5, 2017 7:37PM PDT

I have about 250 GB worth of home videos that were on the drive and it's only returning like maybe 20GB (most unusable and duplicates). I'm leaning towards just going for a paid recovery app... but if Recuva couldn't do what I need and if its supposed to be pretty good then I'm gonna have to look hard before I purchase anything.

I've done this a while back when I messed up transferring data to a new drive and i cut and pasted (instead of just copying) before I found out that the new drive was set up all wrong. I paid for the recovery software, got everything back, but it wasn't named how it was originally and there were no file structures. I was ok with that cuz I had the data... but with Recuva I'm not getting any of that. I'm getting limited results and not the videos that I'm expecting to be found.

- Collapse -
Here's the why.
Apr 6, 2017 8:28AM PDT

File recovery is a messy thing since files once deleted can be overwritten. You can't get the data back from the parts that were overwritten.

It's that simple.

- Collapse -
Try PhotoRec
Apr 6, 2017 8:32AM PDT

Also Testdisk can restore removed partitions and find files.

- Collapse -
Re: 250 GB worth
Apr 10, 2017 10:14AM PDT

If a 1 GB disk is $50, than making 2 backups (on different drives of course) costs $25 of storage space. Since you didn't find it necessary to make that copies, I come to the conclusion that you found these files worth less than $25.

- Collapse -
Answer
Remember ,
Apr 5, 2017 7:42PM PDT

You used the free version ,
Do you expect it to get all of everything for free ?
I think these free programs tickle you just enough to get you to purchase the premium package and than finish the job .