10 Top Programs to Recover Hard Drive Data Free

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Hard drive recovery software is a program used on a computer to recover data that has been deleted from a hard disk, as well as receive information from a formatted driver that is not working. When a file is delete from the hard drive, it is not completely erased. If you can recover the data before it is rewritten, then the file is recovered. Basically, hard disk recovery softwares are designed to retrieve data from different drives. After reviewing many programs to recover hard drive data free, we have compiled a list of the best and most effective tools. Check out below.

10 Best Free Software to Recover Hard Drive Data Free

#1 Free WinfrGUI

WinfrGUI has proven to be efficient in dealing with hard drive problems and recovery during our tests. Its user interface is pure and intuitive, ensuring a effortless and stress-free recovery experience.

Download WinfrGUI Free

To use WinfrGUI for hard drive recovery, follow these steps:

  • Open WinfrGUI and click on the hard drive and option location.
  • Select the desired drive
  • The program will start scanning the drive. You can stop the process if necessary.
  • Filter your files by size and type
  • Search for specific files for easier access.
  • View recovered files before after scanning and choose to save. Click on the recover button.
  • Select the target to save the file

Technical Specifications:

  • Requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher and supports NTFS/FAT/exFat/ReFS file systems.
  • 56 MB of space is required for installation.
  • Requires at least 2 GB of RAM.

WinfrGUI has minimal specifications making it compatible with most devices and is a variety of options for hard drive recovery.

Main Properties:

  • Supports various data loss situations including accidental data deletion, damaged hard drive, broken computer recovery, and so on.
  • Compatible with popular file systems such as ExFAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, ReFS, Raid, RAW, JFS, APFS, HFS,HFS+, HFSX, XFS, BFS,BTRFS and EXT4 under Linux operating systems.
  • Recover more than 1000 file types and formats including professional video formats, unsaved documents and game files.
  • Using state-of-the-art scanning algorithms with patented technology.
  • Allows users to view pre-recoverable files and repair damaged documents or images automatically during the sample viewing process.
  • Showing a high success rate of about 98%.

Pros:

  • Cover a wide range of data loss situations and file types.
  • Using advanced recovery technology to improve data quality.
  • Free to use with no limit on data recovery.

#2 OnTrack EasyRecovery

OnTrack EasyRecovery was developed by KLDiscovery as a world leader in data recovery solutions. It’s a reliable software for data rescue. With more than 30 years of experience, onTrack has proven to be a trustworthy hard drive recovery provider. On Track Easyrecovery, one of their leading products, has comprehensive features for recovering lost or deleted files from various storage devices including hard drives, SSDs, RAID systems, external media and virtual reality systems.

The recovery process is fast and smooth, making it ideal for small to medium-sized. However, it may not be the best choice for personal use.

Technical specifications:

  • For Windows: requires a Pentium Class processor, 1 GB of RAM, 100 MB of hard drive space and a single user license.
  • For macOS: requires at least 1 GB of RAM, 100 MB of hard drive space and a single user license.

Main Properties:

  • Recover various types of files, including documents, photos, videos, and audio files.
  • Receive data from hard drive as well as CD/DVD and RAID volume.
  • Use a deep scan algorithm to thoroughly search and increase the chances of successful data recovery.
  • Allows users to stop and start the recovery process at any time.

Pros:

  • Clean and easy to use interface.
  • Responsive and helpful customer service.
  • A comprehensive set of features for data recovery.
  • Successful data recovery even in difficult situations.

Cons:

  • Required personal information such as email address and phone number for download.
  • The software may use critical CPU and RAM resources during recovery.
  • Annual license model with update fees.

#3 Disk Drill

Disk Drill is a comprehensive hard drive recovery tool. Suitable for all levels of complexity of recovery. During testing we found it easy to use and uses all features. This tool is great for recovering data from formatted hard drives.

Technical specifications:

  • There are different versions for different operating systems.
  • 1 GB of free space is required for download.

Main Properties:

  • Receive data from various storage devices, including internal hard drives, memory cards and digital cameras.
  • Recover more than 400 types of files including documents, photos, videos, and more.
  • Recover data from accidentally deleted empty recycling tanks, broken hard drives, external drivers that formatted infections, virus, missing partitions, and so on.
  • Estimate the probability of successful file recovery for prioritizing important information.
  • Monitor device status with SMART Disk Monitoring to detect and prevent potential failures.

Pros:

  • A beginner-friendly interface.
  • Sort files by category after recovery
  • Additional features such as backup drives and data protection.
  • Supports hexagon viewing for recovered files

Cons:

  • Complex system requirements.
  • Limited free version for Windows users
  • Some features are only available in Disk Drill for Mac.

#4 Smart Data Recovery

Wise Data Recovery is an inexpensive and feature-filled solution for hard drive recovery. It impressed us with its ability to operate and ease of testing. The scanning speed of the software is great. Provides recovery results within minutes. With Wise data recovery, you can recover files from local hard drives, external disks, USB drivers, digital cameras, and mobile phones.

  • Technical specifications:
  • Requires Windows XP or later or macOS Ventura 13 or later.
  • Requires a Pentium 1 GHz or higher. At least 50 MB of free space and at least 4 GB of RAM.

Main Properties:

  • There are quick scanning options and deep scans. Quick scans find recently deleted files while deep scanning guarantees comprehensive recovery.
  • Supports 800+ file types
  • A portable version is available for use on multiple computers without installation.

Pros:

  • Not much light and space.
  • Free to recover 2 GB.
  • Compatible with most file types and Windows operating systems.
  • Cheap option
  • A beginner-friendly interface.

Cons:

  • The sample screen may show dirty code for unsupported files.
  • The success rate may not be very high.
  • Recovered files may not retain their original folder structure.

#5 Puran file recovery

Puran File Recovery has consistently been ranked among the 10 free hard drive recovery tools over the past decade. It can recover files from various storage media including hard drives, USB drive, memory cards, cell phones, CDs, and so on. Regardless of the file system, Puran file recovery can scan and detect almost every drive recognized by Windows.

Technical specifications:

  • Requires Windows XP or higher.
  • No specific memory or capacity required.

Main Properties:

  • Full and deep scan options available.
  • Receive data from different storage devices
  • Allows users to add partitions from devices using “drag and drop”.
  • Automatically failed in bad sections during the recovery process.
  • Include a search box for easy file locations

Pros:

  • It’s completely free to use.
  • Compatible with multiple versions of Windows
  • The results will be displayed in the tree view for easy viewing.

Cons:

  • Old user interface
  • Deep scanning may be slow.
  • Last update released seven years ago.
  • Available for Windows only.

#6 Recuva

Recuva, developed by Piriform Software, is a popular file recovery tool recommended for finding missing files from hard drives. Despite its modern interface, Recuva remains one of the best HDD recovery tools. The software allows free data recovery from hard drive, but lacks compatibility with other platforms.

Technical specifications:

  • Windows 98 or higher is required.
  • Small application size that requires the least space.

Main Properties:

  • Helps revive various types of files, including documents, photos, videos, music, and more.
  • The quality rating of the recovered file is excellent, not good or recoverable.
  • Includes a secure file deletion feature to permanently delete data.
  • Freeware version for basic data recovery

Pros:

  • Free version provides advanced file recovery for personal use.
  • Allow installation and scanning of disk images
  • Show file quality in scan results
  • Quick and deep scanning options available.
  • Recuva Pro version with an attractive price for inexpensive data recovery.

Cons:

  • Old user interface
  • Not compatible with Mac or Linux devices
  • Could not view file during scanning
  • There may be no advanced recovery capabilities of higher-priced software.
  • Performance may vary compared to other data recovery tools.

#7 Free Glarysoft File Recovery

Glarysoft File Recovery is a state-of-the-art and easy-to-use free hard drive recovery program that delivers great results. It can retrieve all of your data. With its fast scanning capabilities to locate recently deleted data. The application’s simple interface makes it accessible to users at all technical levels.

Technical specifications:

  • Windows Device Required
  • It only takes 10 MB of space.

Main Properties:

  • Supports Windows file systems such as FAT, NTFS and NTFS + EFS
  • Recover files that have been compressed and encrypted by the user.
  • Recover files from computer hard drives and external storage devices
  • Recover data from hard drives, USB drivers and memory cards

Pros:

  • The interface is easy to use.
  • It’s completely free to use.

Cons:

  • Not compatible with Mac or Linux devices
  • Mixed results by some users
  • Probably lacking advanced features of higher-priced software.
  • The scan process may be slow.

#8 Restoration

The recovery lives up to its name by quickly recovering any type of file from your hard drive. It has an easy-to-use experience and has powerful features. It is a lightweight hard drive recovery program that does not take up much space, but the recovery speed may be damaged.

Technical specifications:

  • Windows 98 or higher is required.

Main Properties:

  • No need to install and run from USB, CD or disk for convenience.
  • Recover files from hard drives with NTFS and FAT file systems
  • Allows scanning results to be sorted by name, date, size and folder.
  • Find and recover empty files if needed.
  • Provides advanced data cleaning options for permanent deletion of files.

Pros:

  • It’s completely free to use.
  • The portable solution does not require installation.
  • Recover multiple files at once
  • Low memory requirements
  • Simple user interface

Cons:

  • Only single files can be recovered. Not all folders or partitions.
  • Limited file type support
  • No technical support or regular updates.
  • There are no advanced features of the software that are more expensive.

#9 Free iCare Data Recovery

iCare Data Recovery is an easy-to-use and powerful freeware application for hard drive recovery. It features a simple interface and a smooth file recovery process. It is great for permanently recovering deleted files, but may take some time for the recover process.

Technical specifications:

  • Requires Windows 2000 or higher.
  • Requires at least 256 MB of RAM.

Main Properties:

  • Advanced deep scanning technology for thorough file recovery
  • Receive information from PC hard drives and external devices such as USB drivers and memory cards.
  • Recover data after formats, virus attacks, RAW/deleted partitions and from hard drives inaccessible or corrupted in the Pro version.

Pros:

  • Simple and intuitive interface.
  • Advanced Deep Scan
  • High efficiency.

Cons:

  • Free version is limited.
  • Available for Windows only.

#10 Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery Free is a well-known data recovery tool for both Windows and macOS. It can recover lost data from damaged or damaged hard drives. The software not only recovers lost data, but also features such as SMART drive scanning, optical media recovery and cloning. It is especially effective for recovering lost images but may be slower than for other file recovery.

Technical specifications:

  • Requires Windows 7 or higher.
  • Intel-compatible processor requires at least 4 GB of memory and 250 MB of free space.

Main Properties:

  • Recover files from internal and external hard drives/SSDs
  • Recover data from various data loss situations including disk damage and system failure.
  • Works with unbootable and encryptable drives.

Pros:

  • Rapid recovery process.
  • The interface is easy to use.
  • Allow specific folders to be scanned

Cons:

  • The free version is limited to 1 GB of data.
  • The pro version is expensive.
  • Slow deep scanning.
  • Sometimes sampling is delayed.

Conclusion

Choosing the best hard drive recovery software may be a challenge, but we have tested and reviewed many options to compile a list of the most powerful solutions. These tools offer free versions to recover valuable files from your hard drive without incurring any costs. Among them, WinfrGUI for Free stands out as a highly reliable and versatile option for hard disk data recovery. Follow the steps provided in the article to use WinfrGUI and recover hard drive data free.

Also Read: 4 Methods to Retrieve Data From USB Stick