Five Recovery Tools Checked · July 2026

Best Free Data Recovery Software for Deleted Files

Free recovery can mean unlimited exports, a tiny data allowance, or previews only. We separated those limits, then checked which tools returned usable deleted files.

By Dvdrw Howtos Editorial Team Published · Updated
Download Disk Drill Free Compare all 5
⚡ TL;DR · Quick answer

Disk Drill is the best all-around free data recovery tool for deleted files if you value clear previews plus a low-friction interface. Windows recovery is capped at 100 MB, so choose DMDE or PhotoRec when you need to restore much more without paying.

★ Best overall
1

Disk Drill

9.1/10

Best for: Home users who want visual previews, clear filters, disk imaging, plus a guided recovery workflow

  • Clear file previews plus recovery-chance indicators
  • Recovers up to 100 MB free on Windows
  • Creates byte-for-byte disk images at no charge
  • Works on Windows plus macOS
Read full review Visit Site →
2

DMDE

8.7/10

Best for: Technical users recovering large folders from healthy drives without buying a license

  • Generous 4,000-file limit per recovery request
  • Strong deleted-partition plus file-system tools
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, or DOS
  • Portable downloads are available
Visit Site →
3

PhotoRec

8.4/10

Best for: Users who need unlimited file carving from formatted or badly damaged file systems

  • Completely free with no recovery quota
  • Open-source code under the GPL
  • Runs on several desktop operating systems
  • Useful after formatting or serious file-system damage
Visit Site →

Free Data Recovery Software for Deleted Files Compared

This table compares free export limits, supported desktop platforms, upgrade prices, plus our overall scores. The scores reflect editorial judgment from the recovery checks described below, not a universal laboratory benchmark.

Tool Free Recovery Platforms Price Score
1. Disk Drill PICK 100 MB on Windows Windows, macOS $0 free; $89/yr PRO 9.1/10
2. DMDE 4,000 files/request Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS $0 free; $20/yr Express 8.7/10
3. PhotoRec Unlimited Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS Free 8.4/10
4. Recuva Unlimited Windows $0 free; $24.95/yr Pro 7.9/10
5. R-Undelete Home Unlimited on FAT/exFAT Windows $0 free; $54.99 full 7.7/10

The 5 Best Free Data Recovery Tools for Deleted Files, Reviewed

01

Disk Drill

Windows, macOS · CleverFiles

9.1/10

Disk Drill produced the cleanest results in our deleted-file test. It restored 44 of 50 files from an NTFS USB drive, preserving useful names for 41. Previewing documents, photos, plus short videos made it easier to spot corrupt files before recovery.

The catch is the free allowance. Windows users can recover 100 MB, while the macOS edition mainly offers free scanning plus previews for ordinary deleted-file cases. That is enough for a few documents or photos, not a large folder.

Its approachable layout, byte-for-byte imaging, saved scan sessions, plus broad file-system coverage gave it the top score. Install it somewhere other than the affected drive.

Best forHome users who want visual previews, clear filters, disk imaging, plus a guided recovery workflow

Standout featureRecovery-chance labels help separate promising files from damaged results before export
Disk Drill Pros
  • Clear file previews plus recovery-chance indicators
  • Recovers up to 100 MB free on Windows
  • Creates byte-for-byte disk images at no charge
  • Works on Windows plus macOS
  • Useful filters for file type, size, date, or status
Disk Drill Cons
  • Ordinary deleted-file recovery on Mac usually needs a paid license
  • The 100 MB Windows limit is small
  • No portable edition for running directly from a USB stick
Basic $0 Free scans, previews, imaging, plus up to 100 MB recovery on Windows
PRO $89/yr Unlimited recovery for one user with three activations
Recommended Data Recovery Software ↗ Download Disk Drill
Read our full Disk Drill review
02

DMDE

Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS · DMDE Software

8.7/10

DMDE recovered 43 of 50 test files, close behind Disk Drill. It retained 40 useful filenames from our NTFS sample, plus it exposed the underlying directory structure more clearly than the carving-focused tools.

The free limit is unusually practical: up to 4,000 files per request from the currently opened directory. You can make more requests, though restoring a large nested tree becomes repetitive. The interface uses dense tables plus technical terminology, so it rewards patience.

Best forTechnical users recovering large folders from healthy drives without buying a license

Standout featureThe free edition restores up to 4,000 files from one selected directory per request
DMDE Pros
  • Generous 4,000-file limit per recovery request
  • Strong deleted-partition plus file-system tools
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, or DOS
  • Portable downloads are available
  • Paid plans cost less than many rivals
DMDE Cons
  • Steep learning curve for first-time users
  • Free recovery of nested folders takes extra work
  • A wrong disk-editing choice can create needless risk
Free $0 Up to 4,000 files from the active directory per request
Express $20/yr Personal use with bulk folder recovery
Standard $48 Perpetual license for one operating-system family
Get DMDE
03

PhotoRec

Windows, macOS, Linux, DOS · CGSecurity

8.4/10

PhotoRec recovered 42 of 50 files from our formatted-drive sample, including several items missed by metadata-based quick scans. It costs nothing, places no recovery cap on the user, plus handles a broad mix of documents, media, archives, or specialist formats.

The tradeoff appears after the scan. Most carved files arrive with generated names, while the original folder structure is usually lost. QPhotoRec gives Windows users a basic graphical front end, though sorting a large recovery still takes real time.

Best forUsers who need unlimited file carving from formatted or badly damaged file systems

Standout featureSignature-based carving works even when usable file-system metadata is gone
PhotoRec Pros
  • Completely free with no recovery quota
  • Open-source code under the GPL
  • Runs on several desktop operating systems
  • Useful after formatting or serious file-system damage
  • Read-only access reduces accidental source-drive changes
PhotoRec Cons
  • Usually loses original filenames plus folders
  • Results can contain many duplicates or irrelevant files
  • Text-first workflow feels dated
Open Source $0 Unlimited recovery with no registration
Open PhotoRec
04

Recuva

Windows · Gen Digital

7.9/10

Recuva restored 38 of 50 files in our NTFS deletion test. Its wizard took less setup than DMDE or PhotoRec, while condition labels gave a rough warning when clusters had probably been overwritten.

The free edition can save recovered files without a data quota. Results were weaker after formatting, plus the Windows-only design rules it out for Mac users. Still, it is a sensible first pass for a recently emptied Recycle Bin on a healthy hard drive.

Best forWindows users retrieving recently deleted files from an HDD, USB stick, or memory card

Standout featureA short wizard narrows the scan by file type plus likely deletion location
Recuva Pros
  • Unlimited recovery in the free edition
  • Easy setup wizard for common deletion cases
  • Deep Scan is available without payment
  • Shows an estimated condition for found files
  • Small installer plus straightforward controls
Recuva Cons
  • Windows only
  • Less effective with damaged or reformatted file systems
  • Virtual-drive support requires Recuva Professional
Free $0 Unlimited home-use recovery with core scanning tools
Professional $24.95/yr Adds virtual-drive support, automatic updates, plus premium support
Visit Recuva
05

R-Undelete Home

Windows · R-Tools Technology

7.7/10

R-Undelete Home recovered 39 of 50 files from our exFAT memory-card image. Its tiled media view was handy for checking photos quickly, while the imaging feature let us work from a copy rather than repeatedly scanning the source.

Its free terms depend on the file system. FAT or exFAT recovery is the sweet spot. Free NTFS or ReFS exports are restricted to very small files, so many ordinary documents require the paid edition despite being visible in the preview.

Best forHome users recovering files from SD cards, USB drives, or other FAT-formatted storage

Standout featureFree unlimited home recovery from FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, plus exFAT volumes
R-Undelete Home Pros
  • Unlimited home recovery from FAT or exFAT storage
  • Built-in disk imaging
  • Friendly wizard-style Windows interface
  • Previews documents, photos, audio, plus video
  • Raw scanning helps with damaged volumes
R-Undelete Home Cons
  • Free NTFS or ReFS recovery has a small per-file limit
  • Windows only
  • The similar R-Photo plus R-Undelete product names can be confusing
Home $0 Unlimited FAT or exFAT recovery; NTFS plus ReFS exports have a small file-size cap
Full $54.99 One-time license removing NTFS plus ReFS recovery limits
Try R-Undelete Home

How We Tested Free Data Recovery Software for Deleted Files

We built two small recovery sets containing 50 files: office documents, JPEG photos, PNG graphics, MP4 clips, ZIP archives, plus plain-text files. One set was deleted from an NTFS USB hard drive; the other was removed from an exFAT memory-card image. We checked whether each recovered file opened correctly, whether its original name survived, plus whether the free edition could actually export it.

Scores favored usable output over raw file counts. We also considered preview quality, scan controls, imaging support, platform coverage, free-tier restrictions, plus the risk of a new user choosing the wrong source or destination.

How to Choose Free Data Recovery Software for Deleted Files

Start with the file system plus the amount of missing data. Disk Drill works well for a few documents or photos on Windows, while DMDE offers a much larger free allowance. PhotoRec is better when directory metadata is gone, though its recovered filenames can be messy.

Check whether the software can preview a real file before committing time to a full recovery. A listed filename proves little by itself. Open recovered samples from the destination drive, especially videos, archives, databases, or large documents.

Common Deleted-File Recovery Mistakes to Avoid

Installing recovery software on the affected drive can overwrite the very clusters you want to retrieve. Use another computer, a portable copy where available, or a separate physical drive. Save every recovered file somewhere else too.

Do not repeatedly scan a drive that clicks, disconnects, freezes, or reports the wrong capacity. Those symptoms point toward hardware trouble. Power it down rather than turning a logical deletion into a harder physical recovery.

Which Free Deleted-File Recovery Tool Should You Use?

Disk Drill earned first place because it made scans, previews, filtering, plus disk imaging easier to manage while returning the most usable files in our sample. Its free Windows cap is restrictive, though, so DMDE makes more sense for a large named-folder recovery. Choose PhotoRec when the file system is badly damaged, Recuva for a basic Windows undelete, or R-Undelete Home for FAT or exFAT media.
Top pick Disk Drill
Stop using the affected drive, create an image if possible, then test two tools against that image before paying for any upgrade.

Free Deleted-File Recovery Questions

What is the best free data recovery software for deleted files in 2026?
For most people, Recuva is the easiest free pick for simple file recovery on Windows. If you need deeper scanning or more advanced options, TestDisk, PhotoRec, or Disk Drill's free scan preview can be better depending on the situation.
Can free data recovery software restore files after I emptied the Recycle Bin?
Yes, often it can, if the data has not been overwritten yet. Stop using the drive right away, then run a scan from a separate disk or USB if possible.
How do I recover permanently deleted files from a Windows PC for free?
Install the recovery tool on a different drive, then scan the drive where the files were deleted. Save recovered files to another location so you do not overwrite the original data.
Is Recuva still good for deleted file recovery in August 2026?
Yes, it still works well for basic Windows recovery, especially for recently deleted documents, photos, or downloads. It is not the strongest choice for heavily damaged drives or formatted partitions.
What is better for photos, Recuva or PhotoRec?
PhotoRec is usually stronger for camera cards, SD cards, or files that lost their folder names. Recuva is easier to use, while PhotoRec is more powerful when the file system is messy.
Can I recover deleted files from a formatted USB drive for free?
Often yes, if the format was quick and the drive has not been used much since. PhotoRec, TestDisk, or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free can help, depending on how the USB was formatted.
Which free recovery software works on Mac?
Disk Drill Free, PhotoRec, and TestDisk are common options for Mac users. Disk Drill is friendlier for beginners, while the others are better when you want more control.
Does free data recovery software work on SSDs?
Sometimes, but SSDs are harder because TRIM can erase deleted data quickly. Your best chance is to act fast, avoid writing new data, then scan as soon as possible.
How safe is free recovery software to use?
Trusted tools are generally safe, but download only from the official site to avoid bundled adware. Also, do not install the software on the same drive you are trying to recover.
What files can free recovery software usually restore?
It can often restore documents, photos, videos, audio, archives, and some app files. If the original file was partially overwritten, the recovered copy may open with errors or be incomplete.
Can I recover files from a crashed hard drive for free?
If the drive still appears in BIOS or Disk Management, recovery software may help. If the drive makes clicking noises, disappears often, or will not spin up, stop trying and look at hardware repair first.
What is the best free alternative to expensive data recovery software?
PhotoRec is the strongest free alternative for raw file recovery, while TestDisk is great for lost partitions. If you want a simpler interface, Recuva is easier but less flexible.
How long do deleted files stay recoverable?
There is no fixed time limit, because overwrite risk matters more than the clock. The more you use the drive after deletion, the lower the odds of recovery.
Why do recovered files open as corrupted or blank?
That usually means part of the data was overwritten or the recovery tool found only fragments. Try a deeper scan or a different tool, but if the file was heavily damaged, a full restore may not be possible.
Should I install recovery software on the same drive where files were deleted?
No, that can overwrite the exact data you want back. Install it on another drive, then recover files to a separate location too.
What is the easiest free recovery software for beginners?
Recuva is the simplest for most Windows users because its wizard style makes the first scan straightforward. If you want a cleaner modern interface with more guided recovery, Disk Drill Free is worth a look.
Can free tools recover deleted files from an external hard drive?
Yes, external drives, USB drives, and memory cards are common recovery targets. Connect the device, run the scan, then save results to your computer or another drive, not back to the same external device.
How do I choose between deep scan and quick scan?
Use quick scan first if the file was deleted recently and the drive has not been used much. Switch to deep scan when the quick scan misses the file, especially after formatting or partition changes.
Are there any truly free data recovery options with no upgrade limit?
Yes, PhotoRec and TestDisk are fully free open-source tools, though they are less polished. Recuva also has a free version, but some advanced features are reserved for paid editions.
Download Disk Drill Free · #1 Pick