Let’s be honest: we sometimes delete a file by mistake and then regret it. If you have lost files on Android, you have limited options for recovering them. However, if you have mistakenly deleted files on desktop operating systems like Linux or Windows, you have many recovery methods. On a desktop operating system, recovering deleted files is simple. You may recover your lost data using a variety of third-party apps. There are several data recovery solutions accessible as well. Some data recovery tools need to be paid accounts, while others are completely free. This post will discuss open source data recovery tools. In addition, we will provide a list of the top open source data recovery tools accessible on the web. But first, before we walk through the list, let’s see where the deleted files go.
When Files Are Deleted, Where Do They Go?
To begin, deleted files may be recovered from a standard hard drive. The operating system does not completely remove them from the sectors on the device (also when you empty the recycle bin). Nonetheless, they are identified as non-essential, and it is assumed that the space they occupy may be overwritten. They will be permanently lost if the system requires space for new files and overwrites those where the files were deleted. While this does not occur, a data recovery program may scan the disk and recover anything that has not yet been overwritten. With that in mind, it stands to reason that if you wish to recover files from a hard drive, you should cease using the device immediately to prevent overwriting the space with new files.
12 Best Open Source Data Recovery Tools
As a result, installing the recovery tools on a portable device is recommended. First, remove the hard drive from your PC or laptop to another computer with the software you will be using installed. So, without further ado, let’s browse the list we stated below.
1. PhotoRec
Give PhotoRec a go if you’re looking for a free and open source utility software for data recovery with a text-based user interface. It allows you to effortlessly recover deleted files such as movies, photographs, and documents from hard disks, digital cameras, CD-ROMs, etc. PhotoRec can now recover over 480 distinct file types and various file systems. However, the program is difficult due to its text-based, non-graphical user interface.
2. FreeRecover
FreeRecover is a free and open source file recovery program that works with the NTFS file system. It is a user-friendly program released in 2013 and allowed for easy file recovery. After utilizing FreeRecover, I was pleasantly delighted. Even though it doesn’t have many evaluations and isn’t the most popular data recovery tool, it performs the job effectively. In addition, the UI is appealing and simple to use.
3. Recuva
Piriform has created a fantastic program called Recuva to recover deleted files. The program supports both quick and deep searches on hard drives and external drives. It also enables the recovery of all file kinds, such as emails, that were unintentionally deleted in apps like Outlook or Thunderbird. It also includes a portable version, which we suggest running from a separate disk than the one you wish to recover data from.
4. Pandora Recovery
Pandora is a fantastic data recovery software that can recover deleted files from FAT, NTFS, and NTFS/EFS partitions. It is simple to use and has a very user-friendly layout. Furthermore, Pandora Recovery includes a more powerful “Surface Scan” feature that should recover more files than the regular search, as long as they are in a common format. It recovers files from hard drives, memory cards, and other storage devices. Almost every device that can store files and connect to your PC must be supported.
5. TestDisk
TestDisk is a free data recovery software designed to make non-booting drives bootable again. It may also be used to recover partitions that have been lost due to human mistakes or infections. TestDisk is open source and free software. I appreciate that it does not need installation, which simplifies the procedure. While the text-based command-line interface may be frightening for newcomers, TestDisk makes partition recovery simple. In addition, TestDisk supports a wide range of file systems and detects over 480 different file formats. Because of this exceptional support, you have a significant possibility of recovering your files regardless of their format.
6. Stellar Data Recovery
Because of a wide variety of data services aimed at rescuing consumers from tough circumstances, the Stellar Phoenix brand is now one of the most renowned IT software companies. Stellar Data Recovery may be used to restore mistakenly deleted files. Also, it can recover data from hard drives that have been damaged or corrupted and unmounted partitions. The benefit that we like most is that it can recover data from external hard drives, USB flash drives, and damaged CDs or DVDs.
7. MiniTool Power Data Recovery
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a well-known data recovery tool on the market. Its free version enables you to recover deleted files, damaged partitions, lost data partitions, USB drives from digital cameras, auxiliary memory, pen drives, or optical media (CD or DVD).
8. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
The user interface of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is designed similarly to Windows Explorer, which is one of its greatest features. While it may not be the best method to display the files, it is a familiar interface that most people are acquainted with. It can recover files from hard drives, optical drives, memory cards, and nearly any other storage device recognized by Windows. Partition recovery is also supported.
9. Glary Undelete
Glary Undelete is a fantastic free file recovery program. It is simple to use and has one of the greatest user interfaces I’ve ever seen. The main benefit of Glary Undelete is that it includes an easy view of “folders,” a view of Windows Explorer-style recoverable files, and a visible indicator of “Status” for each file, indicating whether the file may be recovered or not. The installation of Glary Undelete is necessary before it can be utilized, and it merely offers you to install a toolbar, which you may reject. Apart from that, Glary Undelete is one of the top tools in its category.
10. Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery is a simple-to-use free recovery program. This Data Recovery tool can scan various USB devices, including memory cards and other removable media. Wise Data Recovery’s rapid search capability makes it straightforward and quick to look for deleted files. A Recoverability column indicates the likelihood that a file will be recovered as good, bad, very bad, or lost. Next, Right-click on the file you wish to restore and choose Restore.
11. Puran File Recovery
Puran File Recovery is simple and allows you to scan any Windows drive you find. Not only that, but it also provides a plethora of sophisticated settings if you need them. One thing to remember is that the tool recognizes more files than any other recovery tool. So, if you’ve previously tried Recuva and haven’t been able to recover the file you want to restore, give it another go because it’s worth it.
12. Disk Drill
Disk Drill is a great free data recovery program because of its functionality and its extremely simple design, which makes it nearly impossible to get confused. According to the Disk Drill website, it can recover data (up to 500 MB) from “almost any storage device,” including internal and external hard drives, USB devices, memory cards, and the iPod. In addition, before recovering picture files, Disk Drill allows you to preview them.
The Bottom Line: Open Source Data Recovery Tools
With these free data recovery tools, you may recover your lost or deleted data. I hope you found this essay useful! Please share it with your friends as well. Also, let us know if you know of any other open source data recovery tools in the comments section below.
