Best Data Recovery Software for Windows (Free & Paid)

Avatar for WinFR Admin
By  
best data recovery software for windows

The best data recovery software for Windows is crucial for a successful data search. With many free and paid options to choose from. Choosing the right software can be amazing. To make the process easier and maximize your data recovering experience, we have compiled a list of the most popular software options for Windows. Each application has been carefully evaluated, considering factors such as performance, usability and features. Whether you have a limited budget or specific requirements, you will find a suitable software solution below.

Trying to start with an investigation of three unlimited free data recovery software programs. Unlike many other free options, these programs allow you to recover unrestricted amounts of data without needing to buy a license. It is worth noting that this section excludes software with recovery limitations to give you an unlimitated data restoration experience.

Best Free Data Recovery Software 

1. PhotoRec

License: Open source (GNU General Public License)

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

PhotoRec stands as the best free recovery software for Windows, more than many paying solutions in terms of its ability to recover files. It supports more than 480 file extensions and 300 file families, including popular formats such as ZIP, DOC, PDF, HTML and JPEG, along with many other graphical file formats. Although PhotoRec works via command line, there is also a graphical user interface version called QotoPhRec, but with limited features.

Pros:

  • Off-source license
  • Supports more than 480 file holders
  • Impressive data recovery performance.
  • Offers both command line and graphical user interface versions.

Cons:

  • No customer support.
  • A slightly complicated user interface.
  • Rare update

2. Recuva

License: Special Software

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/7/Vista/XP

Recuva is an unlimited free data recovery software. It has an easy-to-use interface and a sample viewing function. Developed by the creators of CCleaner, Recuva has always been bundled with it. However, the free version is too much unless you need virtual hard drive support. Particularly, Recuva’s latest update has come since 2016, which limits compatibility with recent popular file formats. However, it stands out for recovering common type files such as JPG, PNG, DOC, PDF, MP3 and AVI.

Pros:

  • Easy to use interface
  • Show a recoverable file sample
  • Ability to delete secure files

Cons:

Rare update

Not suitable for commercial use.

3. WinfrGUI

License: Special Software

Compatibility: Windows 10 2004 and higher

Meeting the widespread demand for an accessible data recovery solution, WinfrGUI has a user-friendly choice. Winfr GUI has been developed as a graphical interface for a well-known command tool by Microsoft Corporation. This makes the wrist recovery process easier. It will eliminate the complexity of the cumbersome command and parameters. In order to a perfect experience. With support for NTFS, FAT, exFAT and ReFS file systems, Win FrGUI provides easy navigation through the easy-to-use process.

Pros:

  • Intuitive Graphical Interface
  • Developed by Microsoft Corporation
Download WinfrGUI Free

Best Paid Data Recovery Software 

Depending on the best cost-effective recovery software options, it is important to note that they often offer superior performance and usability compared to their free partners. The costly software usually includes direct customer support and additional advantages. Most expensive options also provide free trials. It allows you to test their performance before taking financial responsibility.

1. Disk Drill for Windows

Price: Free trial with limit. 500 MB Recovery. Pro version for $89.00 provides unlimited data recovery. Lifetime upgrades can be purchased for $29.00. Enterprise licenses for up to 10 users cost $499.00.

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7. Disk Drill 2.x Supports Windows XP and Vista

Disk Drill for Windows Extension is the greatest cost-effective data recovery software for recovering deleted files. It combines state-of-the-art file recovery performance with an easy-to-use interface, hiding the complexity behind the options clearly described. Free trial allows for recovery of up to 500 MB of data, providing a comprehensive overview of how and what features recover. Disk drill also includes a disk tool to fix common Windows problems such as insufficient storage space and backup.

Pros:

  • Well-designed user interface.
  • Support popular system and file formats
  • Includes useful disk tools
  • Multiple scan algorithms
  • There’s a lifelong upgrade.

Cons:

  • Free trial with 500 MB recovery limit.
  • No phone support for charged users.

2. UFS Explorer

Price: Free trial with sample file. The model costs from $24.95 for Standard Edition to $999.95 for the most modern Corporate Edition.

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

UFS Explorer is a sophisticated data recovery software suitable for a wide range of users from home users to technical professionals. It is great for managing complex recovery situations, including re-creation of RAID and various file systems. The software supports fast and deep scanning, enables extensive file recovery. The higher-level version features advanced features such as working with damaged partitions and creating disk images for secure recovering.

Pros:

  • Most file systems are supported.
  • Various license options
  • Can work with encrypted file systems
  • Virtual Machine Support

Cons:

  • Technical knowledge needed to get the best results.
  • Limited Free Trial R-Studio for Windows

Price: Free trial with 256kB file size limit. The version costs from $49.99 for R-Studio FAT up to $899.00 for R -Studio Technician. Depends on desired features. The most expensive version costs $79.99.

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2000

3. R-Studio for Windows

R-Studio is a professional data recovery software designed for power and tech users. It supports multiple file systems and partitions making it very versatile. R-studio can recover files from NTFS, ReFS, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, HFS/HFS+, APFS, UFS1/UFS2 and ext2/ext3/ext4 partitions to provide a simpler solution that focuses on user capabilities. The developers also built an easier version called R-Undelete.

Pros:

  • Cover a wide range of applications.
  • The ability to rebuild RAID
  • Network Recovery
  • There’s a simple version. (R-Undelete)

Cons:

  • Extremely restricted free trials.
  • Designed primarily for advanced users.

4. MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Price: The free version will recover up to 1 GB. The version costs from $69.00 (monthly membership) to $99.00 (lifetime license).

Compatibility: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

MiniTool Power Data Recovery is a popular software application for recovering deleted files. It supports all versions of Windows from 7 and up. Trial mode allows for data recovery up to 1 GB, which is plenty for various documents and images. If buying software, it is recommended to choose a lifetime license, which costs and can be used on up to 3 PCs.

Pros:

  • A lifetime license.
  • Can view recoverable file samples. Recover specific folders.

Cons:

  • Unable to install virtual disk recovery.
  • Only 100 file types supported

5. Wise Data Recovery

Price: The free version will restore recently deleted files. The version costs $59.95 (Wise Data Recovery Pro) or $89.95 (Wise Data Recovery Pro).

Compatibility: Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

Wise Data Recovery is well known for supporting over 1,000 file types including documents, images, videos, audio, emails, and records. This software supports FAT, NTFS, HFS,HFS+, HFSX, ext2 and ext3 file systems, making it ideal for Windows, macOS, and Linux users. While the free version is unlimited, the amount of data recovered it will only restore recently deleted files. (e.g., those in the Recycle Bin).

Pros:

  • Free Trial
  • Accepts support for more than 1,000 file types

Cons:

  • Email support only.
  • ExFAT file system not supported

What is data recovery (and why is it possible?)

Data recovery involves finding lost, deleted, formatted, or corrupted data from various storage devices including hard drives, slots, memory cards, and USB flash drivers. This is done through a data recovery tool such as mentioned above. This process involves scanning the storage device to detect traces of unavailable files. These tools provide a list of files that can be recovered and sometimes enable sample viewing before starting a recovery.

This recovery process is possible because Windows simply marks the deleted file storage as unused without deleting the data completely. This method saves computing time and energy, without risking the user’s convenience. Deleted files become unrecoverable when rewritten by new data, which can occur almost instantly or after days, weeks, or even months. Until that point, Windows Data Recovery software will help recover missing files.

How to recover deleted items?

Recovering deleted files becomes easy with a custom user-friendly recovery solution for Windows. Follow these step-by-step instructions to effectively retrieve your lost data using WinfrGUI:

Step 1: Download and install WinfrGUI

Get WinfrGUI from an official source without registration or any credit card requirement. The installation should be simple but make sure you choose a different directory than the one with the deleted files.

Download WinfrGUI Free

Step 2: Start scanning on your storage device.

Connect your lost storage media if not already connected. Enable WinfrGUI and select the storage device that is connected to it. Start the scan process by choosing the appropriate option and wait with the winfrgUI patience of careful recovery methods.

Step 3: Recover Deleted Files

When the scan is complete, check the list of recoverable files. Select a specific file to recover or select a complete recovery. Click on the recover button and specify the target directory for the deleted files carefully to avoid duplication by selecting a different storage.

>>Also Read: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software

Is data recovery safe?

Data recovery is completely secure until two conditions are met:

First of all, use a reliable data recovery software for your PC. Beware of a dangerous application called Data Recovery, but it will spread malware. Stay with a well-known software option.

Secondly, avoid recovering data from a failed storage device. If your hard drive makes noise or your memory card physically damaged, give the recovery process to the experts at the data recovery center. They are specialized in managing risk situations effectively.