I accidentally deleted some important files from my external hard drive connected to my Mac. I’m looking for reliable, free disk recovery software that can help me recover these lost files. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
If you accidentally deleted important files from your external hard drive connected to your Mac, there are definitely a few good options out there for disk recovery software that won’t cost you a dime. Here’s a rundown of some reliable, free software that might help you get those lost files back. Just remember that with any data recovery, time is crucial, as further use of the disk may overwrite the lost data and make recovery harder or impossible. Let’s dive into some recommendations.
Disk Drill for Mac:
One of the top free tools you can use is Disk Drill.
Although it offers a paid version, the free version can handle basic recovery tasks and is quite effective at that. It supports the recovery of deleted files from virtually any storage device, whether it’s an internal hard drive, external drive, flash drive, etc. Disk Drill’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for even beginners to navigate.
To get started with Disk Drill, you can download it from here: Disk Drill. Just follow these steps:
- Download and install Disk Drill.
- Open it and select the disk or partition where the files were located.
- Click on “Recover” and the software will scan the disk for recoverable data.
- Once the scan is complete, browse through the recovered files and restore what you need.
TestDisk & PhotoRec
Another robust choice you might want to consider is the duo of TestDisk and PhotoRec. TestDisk can help you recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again, while PhotoRec is more specialized in file recovery from a wide range of file systems and disk images.
- Download the software from the official website.
- Install it on your Mac.
- Run TestDisk to recover partitions if you suspect partition level issues, or use PhotoRec for file recovery if you know what specific files are missing.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your external hard drive.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Free
EaseUS also provides a free edition of their Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which supports file recovery up to 2GB of data. It’s a step-by-step process, and the intuitive UI can guide you through the recovery without much hassle.
- Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
- Launch the application and allow it to scan your external hard drive.
- Browse through the results and select which files to recover.
Other Options
While Disk Drill, TestDisk, and EaseUS are among the top free picks, they aren’t your only options. Here are a few more worth mentioning:
Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery – This is a simple to use software that can help with basic data recovery tasks. It is suitable for Mac OS X and higher.
Exhex (GNU) – More for the advanced users, this hex editor can help in some disk maintenance and minor data recovery efforts though it’s not as user-friendly as the others.
Precautions and Tips:
- Stop using the drive: Once you realize data is lost, unmount the external hard drive to prevent overwriting the lost data.
- Backup normalized data: Before trying any recovery software, ensure you’ve backed up the remaining good data from the drive, just to be safe.
- Follow each step carefully: Each tool may have slightly different steps and instructions. Follow them attentively to maximize recovery success.
Remember, while free versions of these tools can be helpful, they may have limitations, such as data recovery caps or limited functionality compared to their paid counterparts. For critical data recovery, a professional-grade solution or even consultation with a data recovery expert might be more suitable. Good luck!
Why do ppl keep suggesting Disk Drill? It’s not really free - the free version only offers 500MB data recovery. You expect to recover meaningful data within that? Pretty limited if you ask me.
TestDisk & PhotoRec are a nightmare for non-techy folks. Too complex, and Picture Rec is command-line based. Who wants to deal with CLI in this day and age? Aint nobody got time for dat.
EaseUS also ain’t great. Yeah, you get 2GB free but it’ll nag you with ads and stuff. Not exactly smooth sailing.
Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is another meh. It’s basic, not much flexibility.
TBH, any “free” software has some catch. If your files are critical, just pay for a good tool or better yet, consult a pro. Better safe than sorry.
Why do ppl keep suggesting Disk Drill? It’s not really free - the free version only offers 500MB data recovery. You expect to recover meaningful data within that? Pretty limited if you ask me.
TestDisk & PhotoRec are a nightmare for non-techy folks. Too complex, and Picture Rec is command-line based. Who wants to deal with CLI in this day and age? Aint nobody got time for dat.
EaseUS also ain’t great. Yeah, you get 2GB free but it’ll nag you with ads and stuff. Not exactly smooth sailing.
Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery is another meh. It’s basic, not much flexibility.
TBH, any “free” software has some catch. If your files are critical, just pay for a good tool or better yet, consult a pro. Better safe than sorry.
Honestly, if you’re lookin’ for reliable free disk recovery, it’s slim pickins. @byteguru makes a valid point – any “free” tool has limitations. But if you’re comfy with a bit of a learning curve, there’s some stuff worth exploring.
PhotoRec is quite efficient despite its CLI interface. I know, CLI sounds ancient, but it’s surprisingly powerful and doesn’t cost a dime. Plus, if you’re only lookin’ to recover a few files, it’ll do the job. Download from their official website.
Another option is Lazesoft Mac Data Recovery. It’s simple to use but admittedly doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of paid software. It might get you out of a jam if it’s just basic recovery you’re after.
Action steps:
- Stop using your drive stat – You don’t wanna overwrite data.
- Try PhotoRec – Tough love for CLI, but it’s robust.
- Check Lazesoft – If you want something basic.
And yeah, if you do decide to give Disk Drill a shot despite the 500MB limit, you can download it here: Download Disk Drill.