How to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos with Free Software

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Accidentally deleting precious videos—whether it’s a memorable family moment, important work footage, or a cherished project—only to realize that they’re gone forever… or are they? In reality, permanently deleted videos are not always lost beyond recovery. When you hit Delete or empty your Recycle Bin, the files don’t vanish immediately; they just become inaccessible. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can often recover videos that you thought were gone for good.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to recover permanently deleted videos using free software. You’ll discover the best recovery tools available, the step-by-step process to follow, and key tips to maximize your chances of getting those lost files back. If you’re wondering how to recover permanently deleted videos without spending a penny, this guide will help you do just that!

Can Permanently Deleted Videos Really Be Recovered?

The short answer is yes—permanently deleted videos can often still be recovered, but it depends on several factors.

When you delete a video from your computer or phone, it’s not actually erased from the device immediately. Instead, the system simply marks the space the video occupied as “free” for new data. This means the file is still present on your storage device, but it’s hidden from view. The data isn’t erased until new files overwrite it.

Several factors affect whether permanently deleted videos can be recovered:

1. Time Since Deletion

  • The sooner you attempt to recover the deleted video, the better.
  • The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the space the file occupied will be overwritten by new data.
  • Once overwritten, recovery becomes extremely difficult or impossible.

2. Storage Activity

  • How much you’ve used the device since the video was deleted also plays a significant role.
  • If you’ve been actively downloading or saving files to the same drive, the chances of overwriting the deleted video increase, making it harder to recover.

3. Recovery Tools

  • Free recovery software like WinfrGUI, Recuva, and PhotoRec can help scan your device for these “orphaned” files and attempt to restore them.
  • However, the effectiveness of recovery tools diminishes as time goes by and storage activity increases.
  • In short, acting quickly is crucial to improving your chances of successfully recovering permanently deleted videos.

Best Free Software to Recover Permanently Deleted Videos 2025

There are several excellent free software options available for solving how to recover permanently deleted videos. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best free recovery tools, focusing on their features, compatibility, and effectiveness in video recovery.

1. WinfrGUI (Windows File Recovery with GUI)

  • WinfrGUI is a free and open-source tool that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for Windows File Recovery (WinFR).
  • It is designed to make the process of recovering permanently deleted files, including videos, much more accessible for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
winfrgui-free
🔑Key Features:
  • Intuitive, easy-to-use interface.
  • Supports recovery of various file types, including video formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, and MKV.
  • Capable of performing both Quick Scan and Deep Scan.
  • 🆓100% Free to use with no hidden costs.
  • 💻Compatibility: Windows 10, 11, and later versions.
  • ✔️Pros: It’s beginner-friendly, and the deep scan feature increases your chances of recovery.
  • If you’re using Windows and need a simple yet effective tool, WinfrGUI is an excellent choice for recovering deleted videos.

2. Recuva

  • Recuva is a popular free data recovery tool developed by Piriform, the creators of CCleaner.
  • It is widely regarded for its simplicity and effectiveness in recovering deleted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards.
recuva
⚡Key Features:
  • User-friendly interface with both basic and advanced modes.
  • Supports a variety of file formats, including video files such as MP4, AVI, MOV, etc.
  • Includes a Deep Scan feature for more thorough file recovery.
  • Option to securely overwrite files to prevent future recovery.
  • 💻Compatibility: Windows (All versions, including Windows 10).
  • ✔️Pros: Simple and fast, ideal for beginners. It also offers a portable version that doesn’t need installation.
  • Recuva is a great choice if you want a free, quick, and effective recovery tool for videos, especially for less technical users.

3. PhotoRec

  • PhotoRec is an open-source data recovery software that focuses on recovering lost files, including videos, from hard drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards.
  • Despite its name, PhotoRec can recover a wide variety of file types, including videos.
photorec
🔒Key Features:
  • Advanced recovery options and supports many file formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, and others.
  • Can recover files from damaged or corrupted storage media.
  • Offers cross-platform compatibility (works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android).
  • Recover files even after they have been overwritten (depending on the situation).
  • 💻Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
  • ✔️Pros: Highly effective for deep scans and recovering files from damaged or corrupted storage. However, it is more technical than other tools, making it better for advanced users.
  • PhotoRec is a great option for tech-savvy users looking for a more in-depth recovery tool, especially for those who need to recover videos from severely damaged or corrupted drives.

4. Disk Drill (Free Version)

  • Disk Drill offers both a free and paid version of its data recovery software.
  • The free version allows you to recover up to 500MB of data, making it a good option for users who need to recover a limited amount of video files.
disk-drill
🚀Key Features:
  • Supports a wide range of file types, including videos (MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.).
  • Includes features like previewing files before recovery and deep scan for more difficult recoveries.
  • Allows users to recover lost data from various devices, including hard drives, SD cards, and USB drives.
  • 💻Compatibility: Windows and Mac.
  • ✔️Pros: Clean, user-friendly interface with a simple recovery process. The free version is useful for recovering a small number of files.
  • Disk Drill is a great option for users who need to recover a small amount of data and prefer an easy-to-use, reliable tool.

5. Honorable Mentions: Other Free Recovery Tools

  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free: A powerful tool for recovering files, including videos, with a free version that allows up to 2GB of data recovery.
  • Puran File Recovery: A straightforward, no-frills recovery tool with the capability to restore videos and other file types.
  • iCare Data Recovery Free: A free option for recovering videos and other files from different devices, with a simple interface.

Step-by-Step: How to Recover Videos Using WinfrGUI

To recover permanently deleted videos with WinfrGUI, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download and Install: Download WinfrGUI from the official site and install it on your computer.
  2. Select the Drive: Launch the program and choose the drive where the videos were stored.
  3. Choose Scan Type: Opt for Quick Scan for recent deletions or Deep Scan for older files.
  4. Filter File Types: Select video formats like MP4, MOV, or AVI.
  5. Start the Scan: Click Start Scan and wait for the process to finish.
  6. Recover: Select the videos you wish to recover and save them to a different drive.
Download WinfrGUI Free

That’s it! Your deleted videos are now restored.

Tips for Successful Video Recovery

To maximize your chances of how to recover permanently deleted videos, consider these helpful tips:

1. Act Quickly

  • The sooner you attempt recovery, the better.
  • When a file is deleted, the space it occupied is marked as available for new data. If new data overwrites it, recovery becomes more difficult or impossible.

2. Avoid Using the Affected Drive

  • After deleting videos, avoid saving new files or installing software on the same drive.
  • This reduces the risk of overwriting deleted files, which could prevent recovery.

3. Use Multiple Recovery Tools

  • If one recovery tool doesn’t work, try others like Recuva or PhotoRec.
  • Different tools may have varying levels of success depending on the situation.

4. Save Recovered Files to Another Drive

  • When you successfully recover videos, always save them to a different drive to prevent overwriting any remaining deleted files.
  • By following these tips, you can increase your chances of successfully recovering your deleted videos.

What to Do If Free Software Doesn’t Work

If free software tools fail to recover your permanently deleted videos, don’t panic—there are still options available:

1. Consider Paid Professional Recovery Tools:

  • Paid software often offers more advanced features and better recovery success rates.
  • Programs like Disk Drill Pro or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard may provide deeper scans and support for more complex recovery scenarios.

2. Consult a Data Recovery Specialist

  • If software tools don’t yield results, professional data recovery services can help.
  • Specialists have advanced equipment and techniques to recover data from damaged or corrupted drives, offering a higher chance of success.

3. Check for Cloud Backups

  • If you use cloud services like Google Photos, iCloud, or OneDrive, your videos may have been automatically backed up. Check these platforms for a backup copy of your deleted videos.
  • Taking these steps can increase your chances of successfully recovering your deleted videos, even when free software falls short.

Conclusion

While accidentally deleting videos can feel like a catastrophe, it’s important to know that how to recover permanently deleted videos is often simpler than you might think—especially with free software at your disposal. Tools like WinfrGUI, Recuva, and PhotoRec can help you restore videos that were seemingly lost forever. By following the steps outlined in this guide and acting quickly, you’ll give yourself the best chance of recovering your valuable footage.

Don’t forget: prevention is key. Regular backups and cloud storage can protect your videos from future mishaps. If you were able to recover your deleted videos using these free tools, or if you had trouble along the way, we’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!