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7 June 2024  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
 

Summary
Discover top hard drive data recovery software tailored to various needs, preventing data loss and restoring deleted files from damaged hard drives.



Table of contents

table iconI. Under what circumstances do you need to use hard disk data recovery software?
table iconII. What are the practical hard disk data recovery software?
table iconIII. How to restore the lost data in the hard disk?
hard drive data recovery software

I. Under what circumstances do you need to use hard disk data recovery software?

When hard disk data is lost or deleted, it can be recovered using data recovery software. Data recovery is a remedial measure after a storage medium issue, not a preventive measure like regular backups. There are situations where data cannot be recovered, such as data being overwritten, low-level formatting, and severe disk damage. So, under what circumstances can hard disk data recovery software be used?
There are many situations that require the use of hard disk data recovery software, which roughly include the following aspects:
● Human Error – Human error often leads to hard disk data loss. For instance, dropping a laptop or removable hard drive can damage the device, rendering data unreadable, or files may be mistakenly deleted.
● Hardware Malfunction – Disk drives wear out over time, potentially leading to complete failure. Strange grinding or clicking noises may indicate impending failure.
● Firmware corruption -Firmware corruption can also cause the hard drive to fail to read data normally.
● Environmental Issues – Hard drives are sensitive to excessive heat and humidity. Exposure to direct sunlight or a humid environment can affect their normal use, leading to potential data inaccessibility and loss.
● Electricity Failure – During data transmission, a power failure may cause data to be unreadable or lost.
To avoid unnecessary losses, use specialized data recovery software to retrieve lost data promptly. Below are recommendations for simple and easy-to-use hard disk data recovery software. If you’re struggling to find a tool, consider the introductions provided.

II. What are the practical hard disk data recovery software?

1. Renee Undeleter

Renee Undeleter is specialized software for restoring system data files. It helps retrieve lost data when important files are accidentally deleted, the recycle bin is emptied, or a disk/storage is formatted. The software includes four functional modules: Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and Image Creation, providing a comprehensive solution to all potential data loss issues.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

data recovery in renee undeleter
advantage:
  • Applies to both Windows and Mac systems.
  • It offers different data recovery functions to meet various data recovery needs.
  • The scanning speed is rapid, and the quality of data recovery is exceptional.
  • It can recover data from many situations, such as formatting a disk, emptying the recycle bin, suddenly disappearing a partition, turning a drive into RAW, etc.
  • The free version allows you to scan and preview lost files and see if they are damaged.
  • Support scanning multiple devices, such as SD card, U disk, mobile hard disk, local disk, etc.

shortcoming: The free version can only recover 50MB.

2. Piriform Recuva

Piriform Recuva is a free, user-friendly data recovery tool that can restore files from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, and SD memory cards. It supports recovering photos, music, documents, videos, and emails. Click here for detailed recovery steps.
check the files to recover sd card files in recuva
advantage:
  • The software takes up less space.
  • Some types of files can be previewed after scanning.

shortcoming:

  • Only Windows system is supported.
  • There are limited recovery modes available, and the free version is less effective at restoring files.

3. PhotoRec

PhotoRec is a compact data recovery tool that supports various devices, including computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, tablets, memory cards, and external hard drives. This free tool imposes no limits on the total capacity of data recovery, earning high praise from many users.
PhotoRec software operation interface
advantage:
  • Support Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
  • Available for free.

shortcoming: The procedure is complex and not recommended for those new to the task.

III. How to restore the lost data in the hard disk?

Use Renee Undeleter to recover lost data from a hard disk using its partition recovery function. If partitions disappear, become unallocated space, or files are mistakenly deleted, follow the method below to scan and recover.
Renee Undeleter - Powerful Data Recovery SoftwareRenee Undeleter data Recovery software

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan for different recovery needs.

File types Support to recover pictures, videos, audios, documents, mails, etc.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Supported systems Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 and Mac OS X10.6, 10.7, 10.8.

Easy to use Only simple steps to recover data from storage devices.

Multiple scan modes - 3 scan modes for different recovery needs.

Supported storage devices Recover data from recycle bin, SD card, external disk, etc.

Free TrialFree TrialFree Trial

3000 users have downloaded Renee Undeleter and found data back!

Step 1: Download, install, and run Renee Undeleter. Select the (Whole Disk Scan) option on the main interface.
Note: Avoid installing on the disk that requires data recovery, as this may lead to data overwriting.
select whole disk scan in renee undeleter
Data Recovery Function:

  • Fast Partition Scan – Quickly retrieve files lost due to accidental deletion or emptying the recycle bin.
  • Whole Partition Scan – Recover files from inaccessible or formatted partitions.
  • Whole Disk Scan – Analyze partition information and fully scan the entire disk.
  • Image Creation – Create an image of a partition to back up its current state.
Step 2: Select the hard disk to be scanned and click (Next).
select a disk to recover in renee undeleter
Step 3: The software will analyze the hard disk. After the analysis, a “select the partition you want to scan” prompt may appear. Select the desired partition, or it will scan all partitions, taking longer.
scanning the whole disk in renee undeleter
After scanning, preview the files on the right, select the ones to restore, and click the Recover button in the lower right corner.
select taget files to recover with renee undeleter
Step 4: Select the target folder, click Browse to choose the storage path, and then click Recover to start the recovery process. Note: Do not save recovered files on the original disk to avoid data overwriting; choose a different disk.
recover files from whole disk scan with renee undeleter