How to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide on how to recover permanently deleted videos. With the rise of technology and the widespread use of digital devices, videos have become an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s capturing important memories or creating content for social media, videos hold a special place in our hearts. However, there may come a time when you accidentally delete a video or it gets lost due to technical issues. Whatever the reason may be, losing a video can be a stressful and frustrating experience. But fear not, as in this chapter we will discuss the common causes of video loss and the possibility of recovering those precious files. We will also address the challenge of dealing with corrupted video files and how to overcome it.

Recovering Permanently Deleted Videos: Causes and Challenges

In this chapter, we will explore the common causes of video loss and how to recover deleted videos. We will also discuss the challenges that may arise during the recovery process, particularly when dealing with corrupted files.

Causes of Video Loss

There are various reasons why a video may get permanently deleted, such as accidental deletion, formatting of the storage device, or a technical malfunction. Additionally, virus attacks or even software updates can also cause videos to disappear. Whatever the cause may be, it can be frustrating to lose important videos.

If your video files vanish from your SD card, it suggests that the card’s lifespan is approaching its end.

Possibility of Recovering Video Files

Fortunately, there is still a chance to recover permanently deleted videos. When you delete a video, it is not completely removed from your device. Instead, the space it occupied is marked as available for new data. This means that until new data is saved over the space, the deleted video can still be recovered.

However, to increase the chances of successful recovery, it is important to act quickly and not store any new data on the device where the video was deleted.

Challenges of Corrupted Video Files

In some cases, the recovered video file may be corrupted or inaccessible. This can happen if the file was not properly saved or if the device was damaged during the deletion process. Dealing with corrupted video files can be a challenge, but there are ways to overcome it.

To learn more about recovering deleted videos, you can check out the subsequent chapters where we discuss checking the Recycle Bin and the steps to recovering permanently deleted videos.

Checking the Recycle Bin and Previous Versions in Windows First

Step 1: Begin your recovery process by looking in the Recycle Bin, as deleted files are not permanently removed until the bin is emptied or the files are deleted from it. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on the desktop. Scan through the contents to locate your deleted videos. If you find them, right-click on each video file you want to recover and select Restore. The files will return to their original location on your computer.

Step 2: If you’re not able to restore your videos from the Recycle Bin, you can try recovering them from a previous version or backup. To do this, navigate to the folder where the videos were located before deletion. Right-click on this folder and select Properties. Click on the Previous Versions tab to see if there are any restorable versions of the folder from before the time of deletion. If so, select the relevant version and click Restore.

Remember, the Recycle Bin is often your first and easiest solution for recovering deleted videos on Windows. However, it’s vital to ensure that your Recycle Bin is configured correctly to prevent future issues with file recovery. For files that don’t make it to the Recycle Bin, such as those deleted with the

keys or from external drives, you will need to look towards additional recovery methods such as File History, data recovery software, or professional recovery services.

Method 1: Using Renee Undeleter to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos

Have you accidentally deleted important videos from your computer’s storage? Don’t worry, there is still a way to retrieve them. In this chapter, we will discuss how to use specialized data recovery software, Renee Undeleter, to recover permanently deleted videos from your computer storage.

Step 1: Download, install and run Renee Undeleter on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Select the [Fast Partition Scan] option in the main interface.

Please avoid installing the software on the disk containing the data to be recovered in order to prevent data overwriting. Also, refrain from saving new data to the same disk partition after a file is lost to avoid further damage or complete loss of the lost file.

Step 3: Next, select the partition where the lost data is located, and click [Next].

Step 4: Select the [Fast Scan] option and click the [Next] button to scan.

The [Fast Scan] mode scans the initial 30GB of available space on the chosen disk. If desired files are not found, the [Deep Scan] mode can be used for a thorough scan of the hard disk partition, though it will require additional time.

Step 4: Wait for the scan to complete

The scanning process may take some time depending on the size of your storage. Once the scanning is completed, you will be presented with a list of all the deleted files, including videos. You can use the search bar or filter options to locate your videos easily. Then select the videos you want to recover and click on the “Recover” button. Choose a location to save the recovered videos and click on “OK” to start the recovery process.

By following these steps, you can easily recover permanently deleted videos from your computer using Renee Undeleter software. However, in some cases, if your videos were not stored on the hard drive but on a formatted storage device, this method may not be effective. In such cases, you will need to use a backup solution to retrieve your videos.

Method 2: Restoring Videos with Photorec

Building on the premise of checking locations such as the Recycle Bin and using data recovery software, we delve into Method 2: utilizing the powerful open-source tool PhotoRec for recovering permanently deleted video files. This tool is advantageous as it digs deeper, beyond what the layman’s methods offer, often being able to retrieve files that have escaped the grasp of basic recovery approaches or do not reside in backup systems like Time Machine or Windows” File History.

Step 1: Download PhotoRec from its official website and ensure that it’s installed on a separate disk than the one from which you want to recover your files, to prevent possible overwriting of data.

Step 2: Launch PhotoRec, confirming any administrator permissions if prompted. This allows the utility to perform in-depth scans. Select your target drive with the arrow keys within the software interface.

Step 3: Choose the partition where the videos were stored. If in doubt, select the partition that correlates with the expected data size.

Step 4: Indicate the filesystem you are working with. If you are using Windows, it will likely be “NTFS” or “FAT”, and on macOS, it will be “HFS+” or “APFS”.

Step 5: Opt to scan the “Free” space on the disk. This is where information about deleted files is stored and scanning only this section can significantly speed up the process compared to a full disk scan.

Step 6: Designate a recovery folder where PhotoRec can save recovered files. This should be on a different disk than the one from which you’re recovering the data.

Step 7: Start the recovery process. PhotoRec will begin scanning and display a list of found items. The time taken for this step depends on the size of the disk and the amount of deleted data.

Step 8: Once completed, browse through the recovered items. Video files may be identified by file type such as .mp4, .avi, or .mov. Filenames might be changed after recovery, so you may need to preview the contents to locate the specific video files.

Bear in mind that while PhotoRec is capable of resurrecting files that might seem lost forever, successful recovery can be influenced by factors such as the amount of time that has passed since deletion and if the data has been overwritten. It is essential to act promptly and try recovery procedures as soon as possible for the best chances at retrieving your videos.

Method 3: Utilizing Windows File Recovery Features for Video Restoration

In addition to using third-party tools and backups, there is another option for recovering permanently deleted videos on a Windows system. Microsoft has developed a tool called Windows File Recovery specifically for this purpose. This command-line utility is available on Windows 10′s May update or newer versions and Windows 11. In this chapter, we will discuss how to use Windows File Recovery to retrieve your videos.

Note: Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store. Carefully follow the installation directions provided.

Step 1: To begin using the Windows File Recovery tool, open the File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your deleted file was located. You can also search for the file by name using the search bar at the top of the File Explorer window.

Step 2: Once you have located the folder or file, open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows and R keys on your keyboard, typing “cmd” into the Run dialog, and pressing Enter. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start menu and select “Command Prompt” from the list.

Step 3: In the Command Prompt, type

and press Enter. The source refers to the drive where the deleted file was located, while the destination is where you want to recover the file to. For example, if you want to recover a file from drive C and save it to the desktop, you would type

Step 4: The tool will start running in either regular or extensive mode, depending on the size of the file and the current status of the drive. It may take some time for the tool to finish scanning and recovering the file, so be patient.

To learn more about Windows File Recovery and its features, you can check out the official documentation on Microsoft’s website.

Remember, if you are unable to recover your videos using this method, you can also try using a professional data recovery tool or service.

Next, we will discuss tips on protecting against future video loss, including backup strategies and preventive measures. You can find more information in the subsequent chapters.

What to do if the recovered video file can not be opened

If videos still won’t play, consider checking if there is a codec issue. VLC Media Player is recommended for playing video files as it supports numerous codecs. Alternatively, you could download a codec pack if your current media player does not support the video format.

Should the file still be unplayable or show signs of corruption, utilize a video repair feature within the data recovery software or a standalone video repair tool like Stellar Repair for Video, which can fix issues in the file header, video movement, sound, and more. This repair process is crucial for files showing errors after recovery, especially for large movie files that may have been too big to store in the Recycle Bin and were permanently deleted.

For all repair processes, always ensure to save the repaired videos to a different location than the original to prevent any overwriting and further data loss.

Protecting Against Future Video Loss: Backup Strategies and Preventive Measures

As we have discussed in previous chapters, losing important videos can be a frustrating and stressful experience. To avoid this in the future, it is crucial to have backup strategies in place and take preventive measures to protect your videos from permanent deletion. In this chapter, we will explore some tips and methods to help you safeguard your videos and avoid any future loss.

Utilize Cloud Storage Services

One of the best ways to back up your videos is to store them in the cloud using services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. This way, even if your computer crashes or gets damaged, your videos will be safe in the cloud. These services often offer a certain amount of free storage, but you can also purchase additional storage if needed.

Regularly Backup your Videos

It is important to make a habit of regularly backing up your videos to an external hard drive or USB drive. This way, even if your computer or cloud service fails, you will have a physical copy of your videos. It is recommended to back up your videos at least once a month, but the more frequently, the better.

Enable File Versioning

Some cloud storage services offer the option to enable file versioning, which keeps track of all changes made to a file. This can be useful in case you accidentally delete a video or make changes you want to undo. By having file versioning enabled, you can easily restore a previous version of your video.

Be Careful When Deleting Videos

When deleting videos, make sure to double-check that you are deleting the right files and not accidentally deleting important videos. If possible, enable a “Recycle Bin” or “Trash” feature on your computer to give you a second chance to recover any accidentally deleted videos.

Conclusion

In conclusion, losing videos can be a frustrating experience, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can recover them successfully. In this guide, we covered the common causes of video loss and explained how you can recover them using various methods such as checking the Recycle Bin, using video recovery software like Renee Undeleter, and utilizing backup features on Windows. We also discussed the challenges that may arise when recovering corrupted video files. Remember to always have a backup strategy in place and take preventive measures to avoid future data loss. By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to recover your permanently deleted videos and keep them safe in the future. Don’t lose hope if you encounter any difficulties during the process, as there are always experts and resources available to help you in case of any issues. With persistence and the right techniques, you can retrieve your precious videos and create lasting memories once again.