CNET Editors' review
File recovery has never been easier thanks to Pandora Recovery. The program's wizard-like approach to finding and retrieving lost files will appeal to all users.
The user interface is about as straightforward as it gets. Clean and simple menu and command buttons run across the top of the paneled window, while a tree-menu containing hard-disk folders to browse resides in a sidebar. But what stood out the most was the program's wizard, which walked us through the process of locating long-lost files. It first prompts you to check your Recycle Bin, which sounds obvious, but is a necessary time-saver. The program has three search settings (Browse, Search, Deep Scan) and each has its own description so that you'll know which to choose. Depending on the search setting you select, the program's interface changes to accommodate the search. We started with a Deep Scan, which detects deleted file types. Once we selected the file types to include in the scan (All, Images & Photo, Archived Files, Music & Sounds) the program immediately went to work scanning our hard disk. Considering the task at hand, the program quickly pulled up deleted files.
We liked the quick help links located throughout the interface to answer specific questions, but the program does included a very thorough built-in Help file. Our only complaint is that it left files that had to be manually deleted during uninstallation. However, we highly recommend this free program for any user looking to quickly locate a lost file.
Publisher's Description
From Pandora:
Pandora Recovery is a powerful free tool that provides its users an effective way to attempt recovery of permanently deleted files. And that does not mean restoration of a file from Recycle Bin. The software recovers files removed from Recycle Bin, deleted using Shift + Delete keys bypassing Recycle Bin and files deleted from DOS prompt. Pandora Recovery lets its user browse, search, preview and recover files deleted from NTFS and FAT volumes, supporting hard drives, flash drives and memory cards. It successfully handles archived, hidden, encrypted and compressed files and recovers Alternate Data Streams (ADS). Pandora Recovery features classic interface wizards, hints and context-sensitive help. Pandora Recovery allows user to browse and search the tree of deleted files where show deleted items only button comes handy. Finally, it has ability to scan drive clusters, picking up files whose MFT record has been reused by OS, damaged or recreated (it can restore files on formatted drives).
Version 2.1.1 supports Data carving (surface scan) of Adobe PhotoShop PSD and MS Outlook PST.
What's new in this version: Data carving (surface scan) of Adobe PhotoShop PSD and MS Outlook PST supported, access to Recycle Bin and GUI improvements.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 501 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 285 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"DOESN'T EVEN OPEN THE DRIVE"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
NONE WHATSOEVER
Cons
IT IS ABLE TO SEE THE DRIVE, BUT DOESNT GET TO OPEN ANYTHING. AND I KNOW FILES ARE THERE, JUST THAT OTHER APPS ASK FOR MONEY, AND I CANT AFFORD IT.
BESIDES, TRANSLATION INTO SPANISH IS PITIFUL!Summary
DONT WASTE YOUR TIME!
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"Can not recover the files from flash drive"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Easy to install, friendly interface.
Cons
Crushed several times when trying to analyze flash drive. Did not find most deleted files n D drive.
Summary
No use for me, probably because of my unpatience. Problems with flash drive analysis.
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"Used to recover accidentally-deleted photos"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Found my pictures with the Deep Scan
Cons
Doesn't support that many files - my 1080i-videos are still lost.
Summary
Was relieving to at least get my pictures, so I am happy with this little program - hopefully they will update it to support more file-types
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"Absolutely Rocks!"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Works just as well as the expensive commercial software that I did not have with me when I lost some critical files on the road. Pandora recovered them just as quickly as the the expensive app does.
Cons
The time remaining shown during scanning is wrong. It's free, get over it :)
Summary
Will donate first chance I get. Very valuable tool.
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"Crashes too much"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Found all my external drives. Started to recover my files almost at once. I like the photo preview feature.
Cons
Crashes all the time at 2 to 4% of scan. Once program crashes, there is no way to recover the files that it has found. They are gone...again.
Summary
Scanned a 750G hd. Said 26+ hours to do the scan. OK, will leave and do other things. Came back and the program had crashed somewhere around 2-4%. Found 33801 files that I could not copy to another drive. Needs a Pause button so you can copy the files it has found and then resume the scan. Only has a STOP button. After you stop and copy the files it has found, the program starts over. Have uninstalled, downloaded and reinstalled 4 times with same problem. Would be 5+ stars if it would not crash and loose all the files it has found. Sent crash report to author but have heard nothing from them about the problem.
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"Perfect!! photos were found"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Recovered all 250 photos i deleted from my CF card!!
Cons
None..it worked like a charm.
Summary
I read in these reviews that different tool bars were installed. That only happens if you don't uncheck the option. Also, I first tried to do the 'deep scan' or something like that. This option didn't work for me. The first (or default) option is what worked like a charm. I'm so happy my photos were found.
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"It simply works."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Installs quickly, has a clear interface, and does the job it is intended to do without fuss.
Cons
None noted
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"Works like Magic, Good Job Pandora"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
The programme helped me recover a folder i deleted by mistake from my desktop. I have tried other programmes some of which require payment to recover my lost details but were not as effective as this. I highly recommend this to any one contemplating of downloading it.
Cons
none so far
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"very easy to use..."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
its free, very easy to use..
Cons
it didnt recover some files
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"Very easy and effective to use"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.1.1
Pros
Very easy and effective to use
Cons
Very easy and effective to use
Summary
Very easy and effective to use
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