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Recovering lost files, explained simply.

Straight, jargon-free guides to getting deleted, formatted and overwritten files back on Windows — and how to make sure you never lose them again.

Guide

How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows (Free, Step by Step)

Deleted a file and it’s not in the Recycle Bin? Here’s how to recover deleted files on Windows for free — no jargon, and no paying to unlock your own data.

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Guide

How to Recover Files After Formatting a Drive

Formatted the wrong drive or USB stick? A quick format doesn’t erase your data. Here’s how to recover files after formatting, for free, with a deep scan.

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Guide

How to Recover Deleted Photos from an SD Card

Deleted photos off your camera or phone SD card? Here’s how to recover deleted photos from an SD card for free — including after formatting it in-camera.

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Explainer

Undelete vs Deep Scan: Which Data Recovery Method Do You Need?

Quick undelete or deep-scan carving? Learn the difference between the two data recovery methods and which one will get your files back.

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Comparison

Free vs Paid Data Recovery Software: What You Actually Get

Do you need to pay for data recovery? A fair look at free and paid recovery tools — Recuva, Disk Drill, EaseUS, PhotoRec, Windows File Recovery — and how DéjàFile compares.

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Guide

Accidentally Saved Over a File? How to Get the Previous Version Back

You saved over a document and lost hours of work. Here’s how to recover a previous version of an overwritten file on Windows — and how to make sure it never hurts again.

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Guide

How to Recover Files After Emptying the Recycle Bin on Windows

Emptied the Recycle Bin and need a file back? Emptying the bin doesn’t erase your data. Here’s how to recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin, for free.

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Guide

How to Recover Files from a USB Flash Drive (Even If It Won’t Open)

Deleted files off a USB stick, or it’s asking to be formatted? Here’s how to recover files from a USB flash drive for free — including a corrupted one that won’t open.

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Guide

How to Recover Deleted or Unsaved Word and Excel Documents

Lost a Word document or Excel spreadsheet — deleted, or closed without saving? Here’s how to recover Word and Excel files on Windows, from AutoRecover to a full scan.

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Guide

How to Recover Files from an External Hard Drive

Deleted files from an external hard drive, or it stopped showing your data? Here’s how to recover files from an external or portable hard drive on Windows, for free.

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