- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: June 06, 2007
- Total Downloads: 394,501
- Downloads last week: 6,882
- See full specifications
A newer version of Pandora Recovery is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 324 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
The name Pandora originates in Greek mythology, and it means "all-giving." It's an appropriate name for Pandora Recovery, which can give you back files you've deleted--even those removed months ago.
Pandora functions on NTFS-formatted volumes by scanning the hard drive and building an index of existing files and deleted file markers. This, in turn, allows the dead files to be brought back to life--as long as the file format is currently supported by the computer. Users can browse for deleted files, search for specific ones, preview certain file types like images, and get an estimate on the chance of recovery and the amount of time the procedure will take.
The program offers a guidance wizard to make sure that you're able to find deleted files. Pandora cautions you to recover deleted files to a separate drive from the one which they're being recovered from--sound advice, and the program makes it easy to recover to an external hard disk or portable drive. The interface isn't anything special, but combines Windows XP Explorer-style navigation with its own toolbar for an effective if uninspired layout.
There's also a portable version of the program that usually retails for $40.
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. Pandora Recovery actually recovers files permanently removed from Recycle Bin, files originally deleted using Shift + Delete keys bypassing Recycle Bin and files deleted from DOS prompt. Pandora Recovery lets its user browse, search preview and recover deleted files. 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 the tree of deleted files where show deleted items only button comes handy. It also allows user to search the tree. Finally, it has ability to scan drive clusters, picking up files whose MFT record has been reused by OS, damaged or recreated (it can pick up files from formatted drives).
What's new in this version:
This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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User reviews of Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
- Average user rating: 4.2 stars out of 324 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 9 user reviewsSee all 9 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
"Impressive program, and easy to use."
Pros: Thsi program works great, I was able to recover the files I accidently deleted with no problems. The interface is easy to use, and the program takes up little hard drive space.
Cons: The program takes a lot of time to recover the files, but it is definitely worth using.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
Pros: I though I lost my pics forever after formatting the drive (backup I made before formatting was corrupted) - I ran two different commercial products before running this one. And guess what, this free one found my stuff while the payware failed to find anything.
I hope to get my money back.
Cons: There is no plug&play version that I could carry around - it needs to be installed.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
Pros: Can't say, never got a chance to use it.
Cons: Never got a chance to use it. Only works on NTFS systems, waste of time if your system runs on FAT32. Could have mentioned this on their website before downloading.
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
"I am glad I read about it in PC World"
Pros: I read about this software in the August issue of PC World. Funny how I had to use it only few days later. It brought 2GB of data back from the dead and saved me from a huge embarrassment.
Cons: No 'donate' button ;)
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Pandora Recovery 1.1.20
"Spyware Warning! Trojan Horse Downloader.Generic5.PIO"
Pros: This system did not work for me, what's more it infected my PC.
Cons: Minutes after installing this software, my AVG Virus Scanner found an infection in the drive I had just attempted to recover with Pandora Recovery! (Trojan Horse Downloader.Generic5.PIO )
I know for a fact this came from Pandora, since it's a new drive which never had anything installed on it and was solely used to host mp3 files.
So be warned before downloading and installing this software.
- See all 9 user reviews Write review
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