Find Lost Files Wondershare Data Recovery Guide
Wondershare Data Recovery (now known as Wondershare Recoverit) is a file recovery tool for Windows and macOS that can restore deleted or lost files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. You can find lost files by running a scan on the drive where the data disappeared, then previewing and recovering the results. This guide explains how the software works, how to use it effectively, and what to do when recovery is not straightforward.
What Causes File Loss
Files usually disappear for one of several reasons. Accidental deletion is the most common, where you empty the Recycle Bin or Trash without realizing a file was still needed. Formatting a drive, especially after a failed operating system installation or a mistaken quick format, also erases the file table. Other causes include virus or ransomware attacks, sudden power cuts, system crashes, and physical damage to the storage device. In most of these cases, the actual data bytes remain on the drive until overwritten by new files. Recovery software works by reading those leftover bytes and rebuilding the file structure.
How Wondershare Data Recovery Works
The program uses two main scanning methods. A quick scan reads the master file table (on NTFS drives) or the file allocation table (on FAT32/exFAT drives) to find recently deleted entries. If that does not find what you need, a deep scan searches raw sectors across the whole drive, looking for file signatures—patterns at the start of known file types like JPEG, PDF, or MP4. The deep scan takes much longer but can find files even after the file table entry has been overwritten.
When you launch the software, you choose the drive or folder to scan. After the scan finishes, results are grouped by file type (documents, photos, videos, audio, and others). You can preview a file before recovering it; preview support includes common formats like Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, JPEG images, and MP4 videos. The recovered files are saved to a destination you choose, which should be a different drive than the one you scanned to avoid overwriting the very data you are trying to restore.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Lost Files
- Stop using the drive immediately. Any write operation—saving a file, installing software, or even opening a large program—can overwrite deleted data.
- Download and install Wondershare Recoverit on a different drive than the one with the lost files. For example, if you lost files on your C: drive, install the software on D: or on a USB stick.
- Launch the program and select the drive or folder where the files were lost. You can also choose a specific file type filter to speed up the scan.
- Click “Start� and wait for the quick scan. If the files do not appear, run the deep scan from the same screen—it can take hours for a large drive.
- Use the search bar or filter by file type to find the files. Preview the ones you need.
- Select the files and click “Recover.� Choose a destination on a different drive and confirm.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Files not found after quick scan: Run the deep scan. It takes longer but finds files that the quick scan misses, especially after formatting or a virus attack.
Recovered files will not open: The file may be corrupted because part of it was overwritten. Try recovering an earlier version from a backup or use the “Preview� function to test before saving.
Scan is stuck at 99%: This often happens on drives with bad sectors. Let it finish; the software is retrying those sectors. If it truly freezes, restart the scan with the “Recover from Crash� option if available.
Drive is not detected: Check that the USB cable and port work, and that the drive appears in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (macOS). If the drive is physically damaged, software recovery may not work at all.
Choosing the Right Recovery Mode
Wondershare Recoverit offers several modes beyond the basic scan. The “Lost File Recovery� mode is for accidental deletion or recycle bin emptying. “Recycle Bin Recovery� targets files deleted from the Recycle Bin specifically. “Formatted Disk Recovery� is for drives that were formatted, and “Partition Recovery� handles lost or deleted partitions. There is also a “Crash Computer Recovery� mode for creating a bootable USB to recover files from a system that will not start. For most users, the standard “Lost File Recovery� is the right starting point. If that fails, try the “Deep Scan� within that mode before moving to a specialized mode.
Costs and Free Version Limitations
Wondershare Recoverit has a free trial that lets you scan and preview files, but you must purchase a license to actually recover and save them. The free version is useful for verifying that your files are recoverable before you pay. Pricing varies by subscription length and platform, and the company frequently runs discounts. There is no permanent free tier. If you only need to recover a few small files, the free trial may be enough to confirm they exist, but you will need a paid plan to export them.
Safety and Data Protection Tips
Never install recovery software on the drive you are trying to recover. Always recover to a different physical drive. If the lost files are critical, consider making a sector-by-sector disk image first using a tool like Clonezilla or the built-in Windows “Backup and Restore� feature. Recovery software cannot fix hardware damage; if you hear clicking sounds or the drive is not recognized, stop using it and consult a professional data recovery service. Also, remember that recovery success is never guaranteed—files overwritten by new data are usually gone forever.
Alternatives to Wondershare Data Recovery
Several other tools offer similar functionality. Recuva is a free Windows-only option that is simple and effective for basic deletions. PhotoRec is a free, open-source command-line tool that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux and excels at deep scans. Disk Drill is a paid option with a clean interface for both Windows and macOS. TestDisk, from the same team as PhotoRec, can rebuild partition tables. For macOS users, the built-in Time Machine backup is often the simplest way to recover lost files if you had it enabled. Each tool has strengths and weaknesses, but the core principle is the same: stop using the drive, scan, and recover to a different location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin? Yes, in most cases. Emptying the Recycle Bin only removes the file table entry; the data remains until overwritten. Use the “Recycle Bin Recovery� mode or a standard scan on the drive where the bin is located.
How long does a deep scan take? It depends on drive size and speed. A 1TB hard drive can take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours. SSDs are faster but have a lower recovery success rate because of TRIM, which permanently erases deleted data.
Will recovery software damage my drive? No, reading sectors does not harm the drive. However, if the drive is physically failing, the additional read operations can accelerate the failure. In that case, clone the drive first or seek professional help.
Can I recover files from a formatted USB drive? Yes, if the format was “quick� (the default in Windows and macOS). A full format overwrites all sectors, making recovery nearly impossible. Use the “Formatted Disk Recovery� mode.
Why does my recovered video not play? Video files are often fragmented across the drive. If the fragments are not contiguous, the recovery tool may not reassemble them correctly. Try a deep scan, which handles fragmentation better, or use a specialized video repair tool after recovery.
Is it worth paying for Wondershare Recoverit? If the files are important and free tools have failed, yes. The paid version offers better deep-scan algorithms and a more user-friendly interface. But for simple deletions, a free tool like Recuva may be enough.
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