Strategies for Accidental Deletion of Folders and Files

Deleted files can be recovered until they are permanently overwritten by newly created data. The procedures below minimize the number of new files created during the recovery. Therefore they maximize the chances of a successful recovery.

Procedures for Files Deleted from the Boot Drive

The boot drive is usually drive C: and includes such folder as "My Documents", "Desktop", etc.

1. Best possible recovery procedure (for experienced PC users):

See "Strategies for Unbootable Computer".


2. 95% effective recovery procedure (requiring much less work):


• Close all programs including mail, Internet browser, instant messaging, backup, virus protection, local drive search engines, Windows Automatic updates, etc.
• Disable all shared folders on the drive.
• Use the indirect download and installation procedure.
• Run File Scavenger® Data Recovery in demo mode as follows:
  
  Look for: *
  Look in: The boot drive letter, usually C:
  Mode: Quick
  
  
  Scan drive C: in mode Quick.
  
  
• If files are found and successfully previewed in demo mode, you can use another computer to buy a license and save the files to another drive.

Procedure for Files Deleted from a Secondary or External Drive

• Close programs that may write to the drive. For example, if the drive contains mail folders, close all mail programs.
• Disable all shared folders on the drive.
•  Download and try File Scavenger® Data Recovery in demo mode as follows:
  
  Look for: *
  Look in: The drive letter.
  Mode: Quick
  
  
  
  Scan a secondary or external drive for deleted files.
  
  
• If files are found and successfully previewed in demo mode, you can buy a license and save the files to another drive (such as the boot drive).

Common Conditions That Reduce the Chances of Recovery

The following activities may create new files on the boot drive and permanently overwrite lost files:

• Continuing to use the computer, especially for mail and Internet browsing.
• Leaving other programs running (such as instant messaging, backup, virus protection, local drive search engines, Windows Automatic Updates, etc.)
• Downloading or installing new software (including File Scavenger®) on any drive on the computer. (The boot drive will be indirectly used even if you specify another drive for downloading or installing.)
• Continuing to let other computers access the boot drive from the network (for example, via a shared folder).
• Saving recovered files to the same drive. (More information)
• Burning data to CD or DVD drives. (The boot drive will be indirectly used.)

Any activities creating new files or modifying existing files on the drive will reduce the chances of success.