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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.
Now for both NTFS and FAT-formatted volumes, Pandora functions 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.
Pandora Recovery - Recover permanently deleted files - Download Video Previews: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 2.0.1 features FAT support and automatic device insertion/removal detection.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0.1 features FAT support and automatic device insertion/removal detection.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 546 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 43 votes
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My rating:
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"Wonderfull. I had success restoring my pendrive."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
It helped me when I accidentally deleted important files in my pendrive and it is Free. I could not buy any program at that moment.
Cons
Nothing. i loved this program.
Summary
Easy to install and does not needs much room.
Interface is nice and easy to use, clean and intuitive.
Even being so good it is freeware!!! -
"Fast and Simple"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
Extremely fast and easy to use.
Cons
Deep scan can only detect certain file types (i.e. MP3 but not WMA) however standard "browsing" is usually enough (and detects all file types).
Summary
I used this program on a 1TB external USB HDD and not only did it appear to search the drive and get results "instantly", but it only took 20 minutes to recover a large amount of data that I had accidentally shift+deleted.
The only drawback was I wanted to perform a deep scan to give myself peace of mind that all the files had, in fact, been recovered, however the majority of files I wanted to recover weren't in the list of supported formats.
I will say, however, that compared to the program I tried before this one, this program actually located more files in "browse" mode than the other program found performing a thorough search, and was also MUCH faster (I'm talking 20 minutes vs several days that the other program took to recover not as much).
Highly recommended. -
"Great but 1 thing..."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
Recovered almost all if not all of the basic file types in my tests. It also pops up with a comments/ suggestions page after the first time you use it, this is convenient. It was surprisingly fast for its performance, and is extremely easy to use.
Cons
It doesn't recover the not so basic/well known file types (.Open office types, GIMP image, PS image, wma, etc...). This was a dissappointtment for me since i have a ton of those on my comp.
Summary
Pandora Recovery ties together to form a great recovery software for the average microsoft user. It's fast, reliable, and easy to use. But if you are into the open source world of freeware, this isn't for you...
Ok I was wrong about the Freeware file types, I skipped the Browse and search methods of recovery. with those you can recover some of the lesser known file types (it found an Illustrator file and a GIMP file that i deleted to test it). I still haven't tested this but i think its true.
Updated on Oct 24, 2008 -
"Didn't help me"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
It's very intuitive but it did not help me find my file.
Cons
What can I say? It didn't work but it might work on some files than others.
Summary
I deleted it.
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"Fantastic program - recommende it to several people"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
Easy to use - several options of what to do.
Cons
Nothing there to dislike
Summary
As stated earlier. It is easy to use, allows you to search specific locations and is quick.
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"Found pretty much everything that had been lost."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
This tool is very easy to use, just set it up and search. The restoring process is very easy, and I especially liked that one could restore a whole folder and its contents, as opposed to restoring only one file at a time.
Cons
The deep surface scan took a while, although that really isn't a crime. Also, the deep surface scan only scans for certain files (e.g. .MP3 only, no .WMA, etc.)
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"Great product! Very easy to use and its FREE!"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
VERY easy to use. Located and recovered files within 2 minutes.
Cons
Nothing negative to say about this product. Worked great with Vista
Summary
I accidentally deleted some files whilst using an FTP software program.
I tried a few different free software recovery tools, but Pandora worked straight away. I tried Softperfect, PC Inspector and Binary Biz but they didnt work. Binary Biz took 10 minutes to scan my whole system whereas I could easily use Pandora to find the files that I deleted and did it within 2 minutes. -
"Saved us!!"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
Tried about 4 different recovery programs including:
Undelete Plus, PC INSPECTOR File Recovery 4.x, Restoration
None of which found any files on our large 1.5TB disk.
Pandora found a deleted folder we were looking for in an instant. It just worked.Cons
None found.
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"Did the J-O-B on Vista Laptop & HP Camera's SD Card"
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
As anyone who's had the -uh- pleasure of dealing with Vista will tell you things don't always go according to plan. Or past experience. Case in point, the deletion of 100+ pics from an SD card and a folder of docs. Pandora recovered everything!
Cons
Nothing really. Wish CNET would allow the PROs section to be a little longer but that has nothing to do with this program.
Summary
Plays well with Vista - no small feat if there ever was one.
Recovered documents that were somehow deleted during a Vista update without even so much as hiccup.
While transferring pictures from my camera's SD card into Picassa (Google's free picture management system), several Microsoft balloons popped up letting me know that Vista wasn't set for automatic updates, IE wasn't my browser of choice, and that I was generally using non-Microsoft products to manage my PC and get the job done. Well, how could I? In any event, during these pop ups, the images were deleted from my SD card and never made their way into Picassa. I've been using PIcassa since it first came out and have used it hundreds of time on my Vista system in the last year and this was a first. Recovering data from an SD card can be tricky but once again Pandora pulled through and recovered all my images.
Based on my two experiences with this software, I would be more than happy to pay (a reasonable price) for it. The fact that it's free is just icing on the cake. -
"Exactly What I needed."
Version: Pandora Recovery 2.0.1
Pros
First of all free in cost and free in spyware.
Cool Wizard option.
deep scan capabilities actually found files on a re-formated disk go figure.
works on removable media and flash drivesCons
none so far
Summary
Most of the recovery and unerase programs that i found didnt support removable disks and flash drives.
Recover Files didnt really work for me and was problematic. Pandora did the trick
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