Without a doubt, the hard drive or the server connected to a computer can crash at any time without giving any previous sign. That is where the use of data recovery software comes in. Since there are various versions on the market, how could one verify the effectiveness of the software? Here, you find helpful information that would help you select the best one for your use.
What Are the Causes of Data Loss?
What could actually lead to the loss of data on a computer? Better still, what are the kind of data losses that the Windows file recovery utility should be able to restore? Here are some of the common ones:
* Accidental deletion of files or data with the use of shift + delete keys
* Accidental formatting of the hard drive
* System crash
* Virus attack (in which the virus is erased with the corrupted file)
* Forced shutdown due to system freeze-up
* Bad sectors
* Partition corruption
* Windows OS corruption
* Hard drive corruption
How Reliable are Data Recovery Utilities?
Most of the versions on the market can only help you to recover recently saved files and data that have become lost as a result of accidental file deletion, system freeze-up, or crash; but then, that’s not the best option since old files would not be restored. Similarly, performing system reboot when there is a freeze-up condition while working on the computer can cause the loss of data that are not yet saved on the drive. However, they can be restored if they have not been overwritten through the input of new files or data.
Furthermore, it’s been reported that there are advanced data recovery software that can recover almost all the lost data on a crashed hard drive or server. In addition, your files can be restored in a situation where you have just accidentally formatted the hard drive, thus giving room to the reinstallation of Windows OS on the computer. Whatever the case may be, the reliability of a typical recovery software depends on the degree of damage that has been done on the computer. Still, it’s very possible that you might not be able to recover any file if the crashed hard drive suffers an internal system damage as well.
What Are their Basic Features?
Firstly, effective and efficient data recovery software for Windows OS should be able to correct all the errors in its partitions. The best type must work on any of the versions, most especially the latest ones, that is, Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Before you make a buying decision, you should explore the features of the free version of any file recovery utility you might come across on the net. Generally, you should watch out for the following advanced features in the recovery utility:
* Recovery of deleted data/files
* Ability to restore all kinds of files/folders
* Bad sector management
* Recovery of files from FAT, FAT32 and NTFS partitions
* Restoration of files from logical drives
* Hard drive imaging
Finally, it’s worth stating again that the degree of file recovery that can be done on your computer depends on the type of software you use. This means that you need proper research to ascertain the type that would meet your needs. After having explored the free version of the utility, you can then go ahead to download the full version, if it has the advanced features.