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The Best File Recovery Software for Windows - Review 2022

To use a personal computer is to put yourself at risk of data loss. Even if you make regular backups to an external drive or the cloud, there are a number of scenarios where you may lose your files, such as system crashes, power outages, virus attacks, hardware malfunctions, and human error. The good news is that accidentally or maliciously deleted files can be recovered. The bad news is that professional data recovery services can be extremely expensive. In some cases—such as mechanical hard drive failure or physical damage—taking your hard drive to a professional is the only option. For situations where the hard drive is physically functioning, but has a logical fault, you can often get your data back at a fraction of the price by using do-it-yourself data recovery software.

The best DIY file recovery programs are not free—but they can often get you the same results as a walk-in professional data recovery service (like Geek Squad) for a much lower price and without handing your data over to a third party. Thousands of users successfully recover their data using DIY data recovery software every day. But be warned: your mileage may vary.

There are a number of factors that affect your chances for a successful DIY file recovery. The most important is the cause of your data loss. DIY file recovery software is meant for hard drives or USB drives with logical failures—corrupted file systems, accidental deletion, reformatting, etc. If your hard drive has physical damage, then DIY data recovery software will do more harm than help and may even make recovery by a professional impossible.

The second biggest factor is the software you use. When it comes to finding do-it-yourself data recovery software on the web, there is certainly no dearth of choice. There are scores of programs to choose from, with a few popular programs rising to the top of the list. These recommendations typically come from anecdotal or one-time user experiences. In many cases, the reviewers and commenters have only used one or two programs before making their recommendations.

While user reviews are important, we decided to dig deeper. We took the most popular DIY data recovery programs and ran them through a rigorous battery of tests so we could get a thorough comparison of exactly what each is capable of. Although the reviewers working in our data recovery lab are data recovery professionals by trade, this review is designed for everyday personal users. After reading our comparison, you should have a clear idea of which do-it-yourself data recovery software is best for your needs.

Tested Software

For our DIY data recovery software comparison, we established a few criteria:

  • No free file recovery software. Though attractive for obvious reasons, free software usually lacks the features and performance necessary for successful file recovery. For example, Recuva, a widely-used free file recovery program, doesn’t recover folder names and structure.
  • No intrusive file recovery programs. That is, programs that attempt to recover data by correcting errors directly on the disk where the lost files reside. Although this approach is faster and doesn’t require additional disk space to store recovered files, a failed recovery using this method seriously deteriorates chances for a successful file recovery during subsequent attempts, quite often making it impossible.
  • No professional data recovery software. The high price and steep learning curve for professional data recovery software make it unsuitable for DIY users. For home use, data recovery software shouldn’t cost more than US $50 to $70.

Our DIY file recovery software comparison is an annual review. Each year, we re-evaluate the top contenders and consider newcomers as well. We’ll also highlight features that have changed since our last review.

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014

Do-It-Yourself File Recovery Software Tested and Evaluated in 2022

For the 2022 update of our DIY file recovery software comparison, we kept the scope of our tests the same as 2021 and earlier.

We renewed the list of products as follows:

  • Removed two DIY programs: SFWare Data Recovery and Wise Data Recovery, primarily because of their poor file recovery performance.

  • Included two completely new programs which are highly advertised online:

Aiseesoft Data Recovery (ver. 1.2.30)

Aiseesoft Data Recovery

Reviewed Version: 1.2.30

Prices: from US$ 23.96 to 55.96 (with 20% discount)

Host operating systems: Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, XP (SP2+)

Support for data recovery hardware: No

iBeesoft Data Recovery (ver. 4.0.0.0)

iBeesoft Data Recovery

Reviewed Version: 4.0.0.0

Prices: from US$ 45.95 to US$ 299.95

Host operating systems: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP

Support for data recovery hardware: No

We also continued to test and evaluate the programs which were included in our 2021 annual review:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (ver. 14.5)

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Reviewed Version: 14.5

Prices: Pro: US$ 69.95 (Month Subscription), US$ 99.95 (1-Year Subscription), US$ 149.95 (Lifetime License) Technician: US$ 299.00 (1-Year Subscription), US$ 399.00 (1-Year Subscription), US$ 499.00 (Lifetime License)

Host operating systems: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003

Support for data recovery hardware: No

R-Undelete (ver. 6.7.180009)

R-Undelete

Reviewed Version: 6.7.180009

Prices: US$ 54.99

Host operating systems: Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/Vista/XP

Support for data recovery hardware: No

Raise Data Recovery (ver. 9.4)

Raise Data Recovery

Reviewed Version: 9.4

Prices: US$ 24.95

Host operating systems: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP (SP3)

Support for data recovery hardware: No

Disk Drill for Windows (ver. 4.4.606)

Disk Drill for Windows

Reviewed Version: 4.4.606

Prices: Pro: US$ 54.95, Enterprise: US$ 589.95

Host operating systems: Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008

Support for data recovery hardware: No

Speed Data Recovery (ver. 7.3.1)

Speed Data Recovery

Reviewed Version: 7.3.1

Prices: US$ 39.99 (1-Year License, 1 computer, US$ 29.99 with discount), US$ 59.99 (1-Year License, 5 computers, US$ 39.99 with discount).

Host operating systems: Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, 2000

Support for data recovery hardware: No

iBoysoft Data Recovery (ver. 3.6.1)

iBoysoft Data Recovery

Reviewed Version: 3.6.1

Prices: from US$ 69.95 to US$ 499.95

Host operating systems: Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, XP, Server 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, 2000

Support for data recovery hardware: No

For your convenience, we consolidated the results of our evaluation and tests into an interactive table below. You can click the column title to expand the column into a full tab to see more detailed results of the evaluation or test. Some tabs also include additional test / evaluation descriptions and brief conclusions.

Interface and Features Ratings
Product File recovery features User Interface Localization Support Demo version restrictions File preview
R-Undelete5.16.05.75.56.0
Disk Drill for Windows4.95.05.85.05.5
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard3.15.06.06.06.0
Raise Data Recovery3.56.05.54.55.0
Speed Data Recovery3.25.05.05.04.5
iBeesoft Data Recovery2.75.05.84.04.5
Aiseesoft Data Recovery2.75.05.34.03.0
iBoysoft Data Recovery2.85.03.75.53.0
File recovery performance Ratings
Product Deleted files Emptied Recycle Bin Disk re-format Damaged partition Deleted partition
R-Undelete6.06.05.46.06.0
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard5.55.55.25.65.8
Speed Data Recovery5.55.54.95.85.9
Raise Data Recovery5.55.35.15.65.8
Disk Drill for Windows5.05.55.14.85.9
iBoysoft Data Recovery4.74.54.95.95.3
iBeesoft Data Recovery5.04.54.54.65.3
Aiseesoft Data Recovery4.54.52.81.51.5

For our 2022 DIY file recovery program review, we added two programs: iBeesoft Data Recovery and Aiseesoft Data Recovery. Unfortunately, they showed the worst results in both file recovery features and performance, so they are likely to be removed from next year’s review.

The top two programs in our test remain the same: R-Undelete still holds first place, just as it was in all our previous tests. Next follows EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, with the second-best scores for its file recovery features and performance. Disk Drill for Windows has slightly improved its performance, moving it to third place. (Please note that the scores for the second to sixth programs are very similar, so even the slightest improvement may change the position of the program in our review). Raise Data Recovery remains at third place. Speed Data Recovery showed the third results in file recovery performance, but its inferior set of recovery features reduced its overall score.

Overall Rating
Product Rating Conclusions
R-Undelete 5.8

The program has the second-best interface among all tested programs. It’s very straightforward and intuitive, which allows inexperienced users to correctly choose a required course of action for their file recovery cases. It scores best for both its feature set and recovery performance. The program supports quite a diverse range of file systems, along with the ability to recover files from Windows computers.

Its strong points include: excellent recovery performance as a result of the program being based on the data recovery engine of R-Studio; a reputable professional data recovery program, it has the best file previewer, relaxed demo limitations (free recovery from FAT/exFAT devices), and good disk imaging capabilities. Its file recovery features include versatile file search and mark capabilities, estimation of chances for successful recovery, and disk S.M.A.R.T. monitoring. In addition, it has a shredder to wipe out sensitive files.

Its weak points include: lack of support for popular non-Windows file systems.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard 5.4

A program with a good wizard interface, the second-best set of supported file systems, the best file previewer, and the second-best file recovery performance.

Its strong points include: excellent localization (22 interface languages supported), the lightest demo mode restrictions (up to 2 GB of free file recovery), and the second-best set of supported file systems (which is enough to recover files from Windows, Mac, and Linux systems).

It showed the second-best results for almost all our test cases: the emptied Recycle Bin, files deleted without the Bin, formatted disks, and deleted partitions.

The weak points are: lack of basic features, including disk imaging, file recovery logging, and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring.

Disk Drill for Windows 5.2

A program with a standard wizard interface, the second-bestset of supported file systems, the second-best set of file recovery features, and the sixth-best file recovery performance.

Its strong points include: the second-best localization (18 interface languages supported), second-best file previewer, and excellent file recovery features like disk imaging, file search/mark capabilities, and detailed operation logging. Moreover, this is the second program in our tests that has S.M.A.R.T. monitoring

The program won the sixth place in recovery performance, although it showed one of the best results for deleted partitions.

Its weak point is: poor results with damaged partition recovery.

Raise Data Recovery 5.2

A program with the best wizard interface, the largest set of supported file systems, the best set of recovery parameters, and the fourth-best file recovery performance.

Its strong points include: the best set of supported file systems (which includes not only common Windows, Mac, and Linux file systems, but several advanced platforms like ReFS/ReFS3, APFS, and ReiserFS), a wide set of recovery parameters, and detailed operation logging.

The recovery performance of the program is the best for emptied Recycle Bin, files deleted without the bin, and deleted partitions.

Its weak points are: the lack of disk imaging or S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and rather poor performance with deleted partition recovery.

Speed Data Recovery 5.0

A program with a standard wizard interface, the fourth-best set of supported file systems, average file recovery features, and the third-best file recovery performance.

Its strong points include: It’s the second program in our tests that has imaging capabilities.

The weak points are: limited localization (only English is supported) and a lack of file recovery logging or S.M.A.R.T. monitoring.

iBoysoft Data Recovery 4.7

A program with a standard wizard interface, a very weak set of supported file systems and file recovery features with the fifth-best file recovery performance.

Its strong point includes: the second-best results for damaged partition recovery.

The weak points are: limited localization (its GUI is only in English) and this is the only program in our tests that didn’t recognize non-Latin characters. Only basic Windows file systems are supported, it has a very poor file previewer and a very poor set of file recovery features. There is also a lack of file recovery logging and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring.

iBeesoft Data Recovery 4.5

A program with a standard wizard interface, an average previewer, average set of recovery parameters and features, average set of supported file systems, and the seventh-best file recovery performance.

The weak points are: limited localization (English-only GUI), very strict demo restrictions, the poorest performance for file recovery from emptied bin, and a lack of file recovery logging or S.M.A.R.T. monitoring.

Aiseesoft Data Recovery 3.5

A program with a standard wizard interface, an average previewer, the worst set of recovery parameters and features, the worst set of supported file systems, and the last place score for file recovery performance.

The weak points are: the worst set of recovery parameter and file recovery performance along with a lack of file recovery logging or S.M.A.R.T. monitoring features.

Most DIY data recovery users are facing a specific, one-off data loss situation. Our evaluation and test results are designed to help you choose a file recovery program that will meet your immediate needs. If you’re not sure which features you need, start with the top-rated program and attempt a data recovery in the demo mode for free. Each of the DIY data recovery tools we reviewed have a free demo version, so you can try as many as you’d like before making an investment. If you are a bit more experienced and know what kinds of features you need, you can take a look at our detailed test results and see which program is best-suited to the data recovery scenario you face. In our experience, some DIY programs perform very well in one area but fall short in others. Depending on your needs, a program with a middling overall rating might do the trick for you, even if the top-rated program does not.

If you are looking for a data recovery tool to purchase ahead of time, then you should check out our professional data recovery software evaluation. Professional software, while more expensive, provides more features and better file recovery performance across all the different tests we perform.

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