I accidentally deleted important files from my SanDisk memory card. Does anyone have recommendations for reliable SanDisk recovery software? I need to recover photos and documents ASAP. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
You’d be amazed how common this problem is, and luckily there are some rock-solid solutions out there. I personally think you can’t go wrong with Disk Drill for recovering files, especially when they are as precious as photos and important documents. Disk Drill’s user interface is super friendly, even if you’re not exactly a tech wizard, and it supports nearly all file formats. You can download it from Download Disk Drill.
Before you rush to download anything, here are a few things to keep in mind:
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Stop using the card immediately: The more you use the card after deleting the files, the higher the risk that new data will overwrite the deleted files. Just take it out of your camera or device and set it aside for now.
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Recovery software choice: Disk Drill is awesome because it has both free and pro versions. While the free version lets you recover up to 500MB, the pro version offers unlimited data recovery. It’s trusted by many and has great reviews.
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Installation and scanning: Once you download and install Disk Drill, insert your memory card into your computer (you might need a card reader). Open Disk Drill and select your SanDisk card from the list of available drives. The software will scan your card for recoverable files. It might take some time depending on the size of your card and the amount of data on it.
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Previewing and saving files: After the scan is complete, you can preview the found files to make sure your photos and documents are there. Select the ones you want to recover and click the “Recover” button. Make sure you save them to a different location to avoid overwriting any more of the SD card’s data.
If for some odd reason Disk Drill doesn’t meet your needs, there’s also Recuva (which is free) and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. I’ve found both of these to be reliable, but Disk Drill is usually my go-to, primarily due to its comprehensive features and ease of use.
Just remember to stay patient. Data recovery can sometimes be a bit of a tedious process, but the outcomes are usually well worth the wait, especially when it comes to those irreplaceable memories and important documents. Good luck!
Honestly, all this talk about Disk Drill is overhyped. Yeah, it works for some, but it’s just another piece of software that sometimes gets it right, and sometimes doesn’t. Plus, their free version limits you to 500MB. Not exactly thrilling if you need a lot of data back.
If you really want reliability, and not just some pretty interface, consider throwing a few bucks at EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro. The scans are thorough, and it doesn’t condescend you with a limit like Disk Drill. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect—sometimes it can be a bit sluggish.
A word of caution though: never trust any data recovery tool entirely. You’re dealing with tech that sometimes craps out. It’s been known to happen. Make sure you always have backups to avoid this kind of trouble next time. Also, before you use any software, stop plugging in that card repeatedly; you’re risking your data with every use.
If you’re absolutely dead-set on Disk Drill, be prepared for a minor gamble. Decent, but not the savior some claim it to be. I also hear Recuva is another option, although the same limitations apply.
Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Interesting suggestions from both @techchizkid and @codecrafter, but I’ll share my two cents and offer a different angle on this.
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Manual Backup Fundamentals: Before diving headfirst into recovery software, make sure to implement a solid backup strategy moving forward. It won’t help you now, but it’ll save you future heartaches. Something simple like a double backup on an external drive and cloud storage can mitigate these situations.
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Alternative Software Considerations: While Disk Drill and EaseUS are quite popular, I’ve had mixed results with both of them. For example, Disk Drill’s free version limit can be quite a downer when you have more than 500MB to recover. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is decent but might be a bit slow and cumbersome for some users. Another reliable choice I suggest is PhotoRec. It’s open-source, which means it’s free to use, no worrying about free versions with limited recoveries. It supports numerous file formats and is known for its thoroughness. The downside? The interface is not user-friendly, but if you’re comfortable with a bit of a learning curve, it’s worth a shot.
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Initial Precautions: Just like others mentioned, stop using the memory card immediately. Any further data writing on the card can permanently erase the remaining chunks of your deleted files. As soon as you realize you’ve deleted critical files, eject the card from your device and refrain from using or saving any new data on it.
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Using PhotoRec:
- Download PhotoRec along with TestDisk, as it comes in the same package.
- Run the software and select your SanDisk memory card from the list.
- Choose the file types you want to recover (e.g., JPG for photos, DOCX for documents).
- Specify the recovery destination to a different storage drive to avoid overwriting data on the same card.
- Wait for the software to dig through your card.
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Deep Scan Caveats: Keep in mind that a deep scan could take hours depending on the size of your card. Patience is indeed a virtue here. The good part is you’re likely to recover more data this way.
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System Reboots: If you opt for commercial software and it gets stuck or seems unresponsive during a scan, reboot your computer before attempting another scan. This often clears up system memory and processes that may affect performance.
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Avoid Multiple Recovery Attempts: While trying multiple software solutions might seem logical, beware that running various recovery operations on the same card repeatedly can diminish your chances of a successful recovery. Each pass through the card risks writing new data over the deleted files, making it even tougher to recover intact files.
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File System Knowledge: Understanding your file system (FAT32, exFAT, NTFS) can sometimes provide an edge. Some recovery tools might perform better on specific file systems. For example, exFAT is typically used for large capacity cards and is optimized for flash drives, whereas FAT32 is widely used but has limitations in terms of maximum file size.
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Professional Services: If all else fails and the data is truly indispensable, consider professional data recovery services. They can get quite expensive, but for critical data, it might be worth every penny. Just make sure to understand and weigh the costs beforehand.
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User Reviews and Feedback: Visit communities and forums (like this one) where people share their firsthand experiences with various recovery tools. Sometimes the latest versions of software can behave differently, and personal testimonies can offer updated insights.
While I stand by PhotoRec for its efficacy and thoroughness, it’s really about what fits your comfort level and urgency. Everyone’s situation is unique, and sometimes, trying multiple methods or tools might be inevitable. Disk Drill is definitely a solid choice too and can be found on this URL (rewritten for brevity): Disk Drill.
Keep calm, stay patient, and best of luck with your recovery efforts!