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This tutorial will show you the best free file recovery software on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are interested, consider reading the following content.
Is there any free file recovery software on Windows?
Data loss has become a very common thing in the era of big data. This annoys me because most people don’t know how to recover lost files.
In fact, there are some effective ways to get the file back. For example, using Windows built-in functions such as File History, Backup, Restore, Previous Version, etc. But these functions must be turned on before the file is lost to work. Apart from that, you can use some recovery software, but some of them cost money.
In the following paragraphs, I will introduce you to the best free file recovery software on Windows 10 and 11, you can get a better understanding of file recovery.
Recover files with Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a free command-line Windows file recovery software released by Microsoft for Windows 10 (version 2004 and above). It supports recovering media files/office files/ZIP files, etc., including JPEG//PDF/DOCX/MP3/EXCEL/ZIP, etc.
But you have to be aware that this is a command-line program, so using it is more difficult. Next, I will show you how it works, if you have a computer background, you will be very handy.
What do we know before using it?
Parameters:
| Source drive | This is where the lost file located |
| Destination drive | A new path to store |
| Mode | Regular & Extensive |
| Switch | Narrow the scanning range |
Standard syntax: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
How to choose mode and switch?
Mode: regular & extensive. You will select the mode depending on the file system.
| File system | Scenarios | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| NTFS | Deleted recently | Regular |
| NTFS | Deleted for a while | Extensive |
| NTFS | Formatted disk | Extensive |
| NTFS | Corrupted disk | Extensive |
| FAT and exFAT | Any | Extensive |
Switch: narrow the scanning range.
| Switches | Meaning | Supported mode(s) |
|---|---|---|
| /n | To filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. | All |
| /y: | Recovers system files. | NTFS/segment |
| /u | Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. | NTFS/segment |
What we should do after understanding these parameters?
1. Get Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store (It’s completely FREE).
2. Install and run it. Then, type in winfr source-drive:destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
Also check: AOMEI Backupper Review 2022 – The Easiest Backup Software I Ever Tried
Alternative to Windows File Recovery
If you are just an ordinary user, learning Windows File Recovery is definitely not an easy task. Would you like to try it if there is an easier way? I officially recommend WinfrGUI to you. It functions exactly like Windows File Recovery, but it provides a graphical user interface. Users can restore target files directly with a few clicks without typing commands. In addition, it has other advantages:
- Recover from the location of lost files — Recover lost Windows files from SSD/HDD/USB/memory card under Windows 11/10, NTFS/FAT/exFAT/ReFS.
- Applicable scene — Recover accidentally deleted files; recover files from formatted hard drives; recover files from damaged hard drives
- Compatible and Safe — Support Windows 10/11, NTFS/FAT/exFAT/ReFS
- Two scan modes — A quick scan can recover files with directory structure and filenames under the NTFS file system; a deep scan can recover more files with missing directory structures and filenames.
Step 1: Install this best free file recovery software on Windows and run it. Then, “Select the partition to scan” and save the path.
Step 2: Choose one scanning mode. What’s more, you can click “Advanced Settings” if you need.
Step 3: Click “Start Recovery” to start the scanning process. After the scanning completes, the files found will be saved in the destination folder.
Wrap things up
From what has been discussed above, this article provides two powerful data recovery software. You can choose one according to your needs. But in my opinion, I think WinfrGUI is the best free file recovery software on Windows 10 and 11. Not only because its operation is very simple, but it also works for all users. Also, it’s completely free, try it now.
