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7 June 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Learn how to recover files from a memory card quickly and easily with memory card recovery software. Don't panic if your important files are lost.



Table of contents

table iconI. What is a memory card?
table iconII. Use Renee Undeleter to recover deleted data from memory card
table iconIII. Detailed introduction of memory card repair methods
memory card recovery

I. What is a memory card?

A memory card is a solid-state electronic flash memory data storage device, mainly using a flash memory chip as a storage medium. It is commonly used in digital cameras, PDAs, notebook computers, music players, handheld game consoles, smartphones, and other electronic devices. There are many types of memory cards. PC cards (PCMCIA cards) were the first memory card formats produced commercially in the 1990s, widely used in notebook computers. They consume more power but are relatively low in cost. Later, smaller cards appeared, including CF card, SM card, Mini card, SD/MMC card, and microSD card. View Types and Development of Memory Cards for more information.
storage card
When data on a memory card is lost, the most convenient solution is to use recovery software to scan and restore it. Below, we introduce a simple and practical memory card recovery software.

II. Use Renee Undeleter to recover deleted data from memory card

1. What is Renee Undeleter?

Renee Undeleter is designed to restore system data files. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted files, emptied the recycle bin, or formatted the disk/storage, this tool can retrieve lost data. It offers four modules: Fast Partition Scan, Whole Partition Scan, Whole Disk Scan, and Image Creation, addressing all data loss issues comprehensively. The software employs advanced fingerprint and file system reconstruction technologies to bypass damaged memory card blocks and rebuild the file system, maximizing data retrieval.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee Undeleter – Simple & Powerful Software for Data Recovery

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition scan, whole partition scan and whole disk scan;

Supported file types Image, video, audio, text, email and so on;

Image creation Create a partition image to read and back up data;

Supported devices SD card, SDHC, SDXC, USB flash drive, hard disk and computer.

Easy to use Recover data by 3 steps;

Multiple scan modes Fast partition/whole partition/whole disk scan;

Supported devices SD card/USB/hard disk.

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2. How to recover deleted memory card data with Renee Undeleter?

As a professional data recovery software, Renee Undeleter offers comprehensive functions and a simple operation process. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Connect the memory card to the computer using a card reader. Download, install, and open Renee Undeleter, and select (Whole Partition Scan).
Note: Do not install on the disk that needs to restore data, so as not to cause data overwriting.
select whole partition scan in renee undeleter to recover deleted video from sd card
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 memory card partition and click Next.
Renee Undeleter Whole Partition Scan
Step 3: After the scan, select the files to recover and click Recover. Save the recovered files to a different disk to avoid data overwriting.
preview and select the files to recover in renee undeleter
If your memory card data loss is due to memory card failure rather than accidental deletion, consider these repair methods to potentially solve the problem.

III. Detailed introduction of memory card repair methods

1. Check the system file error of the memory card

Use the built-in Windows file system error-checking function to check and repair the memory card. If the memory card is not visible in File Explorer/This PC, go to Disk Management, right-click the memory card, and choose Properties > Tools > Check.
Specific steps are as follows:
Step 1: Connect the memory card to the Windows computer through a card reader.
Step 2: Open the file explorer, right-click on the memory card, select (Properties) > (Tools), and click (Check) in the Error checking.
sd card properties
fix a damaged Android SD card
Step 3: Click (Scan and Repair Drive). If errors are found, the computer may need to be restarted to fix memory card errors.
scan drive

2. Format the memory card

Formatting a memory card can resolve many issues. If the memory card isn’t visible in the PC file explorer, right-click the Start menu and go to Disk Management to format it.
Specific steps are as follows:
Step 1: Connect the memory card to the computer via a card reader. Copy the data of the memory card to other disks for data backup.
Step 2: Open File Explorer, right-click on the memory card drive, and select (Format).
sd card formatted in this pc
Step 3: In the formatting window, choose a “File System” option. Select FAT32 for memory cards 32GB or smaller; select exFAT for those larger than 32GB. (Learn about the characteristics and differences of each file system). Finally, click Start to begin formatting the memory card.
Format the SD card

3. Repair damaged memory card with Chkdsk

If the memory card is undamaged and successfully connected to the computer, use the Chkdsk tool to fix logical errors. Note: This method will erase data on the card, so back up important files first.
Specific steps are as follows:
① Connect the memory card to the computer through a card reader.
② After the connection is successful, search for (cmd) in the earch box, right-click (command prompt), and select (run as administrator).
run as administrator
③ In the command prompt, enter chkdsk H: /f (H: is the memory card drive letter, /f is the repair parameter), then press Enter. The repair process duration depends on the damage severity and storage size. Exit Command Prompt when complete.
TipsIf this command does not repair the memory card, try the chkdsk H: /r command. The /r parameter finds bad sectors and restores readable information, including the functionality of /f with added analysis for physical disk errors. Click here for other repair methods and maintenance recommendations for memory cards.