10 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Windows

Recuva is free data recovery software for Windows computers. It can restore problem files with its deep scan option that searches your drive for traces of deleted data. Use the tool to recover music files, photos, documents, emails, and any other type of lost files. The application also has a feature that employs military-standard deletion techniques to securely erase your data.

Free version:

• Recover any number of files

• No technical support

Pro version:

• Technical support is available

• Automatically updates to the newest version

• Supports virtual hard drives

Undelete 360 is another freeware application that allows you to recover deleted files from your computer’s internal disk as well as from memory cards, external hard drives, and many other types of storage media. It can undelete files that were too big to fit in the Recycle Bin or that have been erased through the use of the Cut command. The tool does not come with technical support so users are on their own when recovering their lost data.

Free version:

• Compatible with older Windows systems

• Windows-like user interface

• Preview recoverable files

R-Studio is a commercial data recovery software tool with versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It was originally designed to be used by data recovery professionals but has evolved to provide a user-friendly solution accessible by anyone.

Pros:

• Demo version available
• Cross-platform support for multiple operating systems
• Offers a simplified version of the tool called R-Undelete
• Customizable known file types
• Recovers data over a network
• Advanced RAID reconstruction

Cons:

• More expensive than other solutions
• Interface and extensive features can be confusing for some users

Overall Experience:

R-Studio provides users with extensive recovery options and has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux. As a true cross-platform solution, files can be recovered from any supported operating system regardless of the OS hosting the tool. This offers additional flexibility and eliminates the need to purchase more than one version of the software in multi-platform environments. The tool can recover data from local and removable disks as well as from client machines connected to a LAN or the Internet.

Since R-Studio was intended to be used by experienced data recovery professionals, it has many advanced features that may not be necessary for the majority of data loss scenarios. For that reason, the company offers R-Undelete which provides a simplified, wizard-oriented interface that makes it easier for the average user to recover lost data. If you purchase R-Undelete, you can upgrade to R-Studio within a year and only pay the difference in price between the two products.

You can download a free demo version R-Studio which allows you to recover files less than 256KB in size and preview all data that the tool can restore. Some of the application’s advanced features include the ability to create disk images, a multi-language GUI, and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring technology. It’s a comprehensive recovery tool that should be able to address most of the data loss situations that you may encounter.

EaseUS offers free file recovery software with its Data Recovery Wizard. The tool enables you to recover data that has been accidentally deleted or from a mistakenly formatted drive or partition. It can easily perform file recovery on an emptied Windows Recycle Bin and can be used on many types of external storage. You can restore lost files, photos, and videos in a variety of file formats with this data recovery application.

Free version:

• Recover 500 MB for free

• Recover up to 2GB of data by sharing on social media

• Limited technical support

Pro version:

• Unlimited data recovery

• Single user license

• Free lifetime technical support

Data Rescue 5 is an advanced data recovery software package offering from Prosoft Engineering. Relying on 20 years of data recovery development, Data Rescue has helped reunite users with billions of lost and deleted files.

Here are some of the Data Rescue’s features:

Data Rescue 5 supports many different file types for recovery and enables the user to teach the application about new file types by using a few file examples. This extends the tool’s flexibility to allow it to recover any type of file. The new hex previewer enables you to look at your files as raw data before initiating their recovery.

When using the free File Finder you have the ability to make an in-app purchase to recover the files that you have identified as recoverable. A Standard and Professional version are available, and both versions provide you with advanced data recovery tools. You can configure the app to send email notifications regarding current or past scans to allow multiple users to review the scan at their leisure. An intuitive and powerful search facility makes it easy to locate the files you are interested in recovering.

Free version:

You can test the functionality of the product by taking advantage of their free File Finder app. With the File Finder you can determine which files can be recovered before actually buying a license for the product. The app supports the HFS and NTFS file systems. It is an excellent data recovery tool for your Windows machine running the Windows 7 or later operating system.

Pro version:

Business users can opt for the Professional version of the application which includes a professional user interface that affords more control over your scanning options. Secure file deletion with the secure erase tool and the ability to run the app on 5 devices are features of the professional version of the app. Data Rescue 5 can even perform recovery on RAID arrays.