Stop using the drive now. Deleted files survive only until something new is saved over them. Don't save or install anything on the drive, including recovery software. If the drive is also failing, switch it off.
When you need deleted file recovery
- Files deleted by mistake
- The Recycle Bin or Trash has been emptied
- A drive or memory card was formatted
- Windows or macOS was reinstalled over your files
- A partition was deleted or changed
- Photos disappeared from a camera card
Can deleted files be recovered?
On a hard drive, memory card or USB stick, often yes. When a file is deleted, or the bin is emptied, the space it used is marked as free, but the data usually stays there until something new is saved on top of it. Every file you save, and every program you install, makes that more likely, so stop using the drive straight away. If the files were on the drive Windows or macOS runs from, shut the computer down, because the system keeps writing to that drive while it is on.
Can files be recovered after a format or reinstall?
It depends on the kind of format. A quick format only replaces the index that records where each file is, so most of the data is still on the drive. A full format in current versions of Windows overwrites the whole drive, and nothing can be recovered after that. Reinstalling Windows or macOS on a hard drive overwrites part of it, so some files usually survive and others do not. Don't format or reinstall again, and don't run CHKDSK or other repair tools, which change what is on the drive.
What we recover deleted files from
- Laptop and desktop hard drives
- External and USB hard drives
- USB memory sticks
- SD and camera memory cards
- Drives that have been formatted or had Windows or macOS reinstalled
Can deleted files be recovered from an SSD?
Often not. Most SSDs use a feature called TRIM: when a file is deleted, the computer tells the SSD the space is no longer needed, and the drive permanently clears it very quickly. We will tell you honestly after the free consultation. If your SSD has stopped working, rather than had files deleted from it, see SSD data recovery.
How much does deleted file recovery cost?
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Initial consultationWe check the drive and tell you what can be recovered | Free |
| Deleted files on a standard hard driveIncludes up to two hours of work | £99 + VAT |
| 24 to 48 hours of recovery workDepends on drive size: £150 + VAT for 1TB up to £250 + VAT for 4TB | £150 to £250 + VAT |
Prices exclude VAT. We confirm your price before any recovery work starts. See the full data recovery price list.
Deleted file recovery questions
Can I use recovery software myself?
You can, but install it on a different drive and never recover files onto the same drive you are recovering from, or you may overwrite them. Don't run it on a drive that is failing.
Will the files keep their names and folders?
Often, especially soon after deletion. After a reformat or reinstall some files may come back without their original names, and we sort them by type.
How long do I have to recover deleted files?
There is no fixed time limit, but the more the drive is used after deletion, the less can be recovered.
Can overwritten files be recovered?
No. Once new data has been saved over the space a file used, the old data is gone and no software or clean room can bring it back. Files are often only partly overwritten, so it is still worth having the drive checked.