CNET Editors' review
Recuva is a free file recovery program that makes it extremely easy to locate files that were once thought to be lost forever. The wizard-like approach and intuitive user interface will appeal to all user levels.
The program opens with a very sleek, professional user interface. We found it extremely easy to navigate right off the bat, but it does employ a wizard to walk you through the file recovery process. All we had to do was select either the C or D drive, or both, from a drop-down menu. If you have a general idea of where the file may be, you can pick from a list of file paths, including Pictures, Music, Documents, Video, and Compressed files. As soon as we clicked the Scan button, the program immediately went to work, and within seconds, it had pulled up a very long list of deleted files and their respective paths. The program's Advanced view gave us more detailed information of each file, including the file's size and creation time. Recovering selected files was also extremely easy and involved simply checking off the file or files and clicking the Recover button. Within seconds, the file was recovered and saved to our location of choice.
Though we don't think you'll need it, we were disappointed to find that the program doesn't include any kind of Help file. It does, however, include a link to the publisher's Web site, which contains a forum. All in all, Recuva is an excellent choice for anyone in need of reliable file recovery.
Recuva - Recover accidentally deleted data - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Piriform:
Recuva (pronounced "recover") is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses.
What's new in this version: Version 1.43.623 added recovery of alternate data streams, improved support for files larger than 4GB, and filters added to "Save as file list" feature.
More Products to Consider
- Protect your PC against the latest viruses and spyware.
- Protect your computer from viruses and malicious programs.
- Detect and quickly remove malicious threats to your computer.
- Clean up junk files and invalid Registry entries.
- Tune up and maintain your PC, clean registry easily.
- Download and convert videos from video streaming sites.
- Download YouTube videos and convert to multiple formats.
- Mix, scratch, and remix MP3 or music videos live.
- Provide secure, anonymous, and private browsing on Wi-Fi hotspo...
- Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacki...
- Increase your connection speed and recover broken downloads.
- Join live-video chat rooms from around the world.
- Play audio and video files in real-time and streaming modes.
- Play video files of multiple video formats.
- Fix, speed up, maintain, and protect your PC.
- Synchronize your files automatically to your computers and the ...
- Publish your files to web space by establishing connection to F...
- Play digital media of various formats with 3D and WiDi support.
- Map a local folder of your choice to the SkyDrive root director...
- Convert Web pages into image documents.
- Download a Web site to local directory for offline browsing.
- Explore the Web using Google's super-fast browser.
- Deliver cloud drive services to your desktop and OS.
- Easily upload and download your files from your computer.
-
All versions:
4.2 starsout of 195 votes
-
Current version:
3.9 starsout of 18 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Sucks, Is this really so difficult?"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
It seems to recover some files but you best recover onto another drive
Cons
Sucks, Why can't someone just make a basic option for reversing files being marked for deletion, if not overwritten?
-
"Worked Great"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
Easy to use and smooth interface
Easy to install
Worked perfectly
Free
Easy wizard or advanced optionsCons
no cons worked great
Summary
Needed to restore an SD worked perfectly and did the job. I'm not even very good with computers. Great thanks
-
"Didn't recover from SD card, Windows 8"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
Perhaps it work for earlier windows.
Cons
Installed it, scanning SD card didn't find photos
Summary
Recuva didn't bring up deleted files on my Sd card. CardRecover showed recovered photos and asked for $39 to recuperate. I tried Pandora didn't work either. Wondershare wanted $35. Finally I found Digital Image Recovery from by Alexander Grau. My precious photos I deleted by accident on SD card using Android software on Thinkpad, I managed to recover with free Grau recovery software on PC, windows8. Thank you Alexander in Germany!!!!!
http://digital-image-recovery.software.informer.com/
Read more: CardRecovery - CNET Download.com http://download.cnet.com/CardRecovery/3000-2192_4-10472984.html#ixzz2Hhe9CMEG -
"Great program functionality. Wish it didn't crash!"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
You can recover corrupted files and deleted files. You can sort the files by date or file name, or browse through directories to recover the files.
Cons
Program crashes often.
Summary
It's the best free option I've found. If it was open source I'd sure like to debug it and see why it crashed so often for me.
-
"GREAT SOFTWARE"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
THE BEST IN ITS KIND.
IT RECOVER ANY FILE
EASYCons
NO CON AT THIS MOMENT.
Summary
SEE MY DEEP RECENSION ON PAGE OF RECUVA PORTABLE (there is a portable version too that works very well.
-
"Does NOT work."
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
None found.
Cons
1. Program should ahve asked me if I want to start with wizard or go to the interface. BTW, switching to the interface part is totally unintuitive, I had to cancel the wizard(thinking I was closing it).
2. Most important, it does not find all deleted files. Yes, it does find some and it recoves fewer, but after extensive testing it proved totally unrelieable. It does not find nor does it show deliberately deleted files which is what its supposed to do so... zero stars. sorry.Summary
Does not really work.
-
"It works and it's absolutely free."
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
It quickly found all the photos I had accidently deleted in my camera. Reminds me of the old Norton QU tool and I'm sure works the same way.
Cons
No cons. The potential problems with undeleting are not easily understood by the novice. This does all it can to help.
-
"Amazing free software, and works a treat!"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
It's free, and does it's job great. Doesn't take long at all to find files that have been deleted (but takes quite a long time to recover them, but quite frankly, if I'm getting my files back, I don't care in the slightest).
Cons
How to work it and what everything means and such isn't great, such as the red, yellow and green dots... didn't quite understand what they were. But, it's pretty self-explanatory. Would help more if it came with Support and instructions but it's not too hard to use.
Summary
I love this program. I clumsily delete stuff all the time and when I'm panicking thinking I've lost everything, this program is AMAZING. Highly reccomended, great for free.
-
"Freeeeeeeee...and works...."
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
Free, Free, Free, no paying for upgrading from limited recovery. no spam, adware, virus, and it really works and easy to use...
Cons
I have no idea..
Summary
Needed a software to recover off 2 SDHC card. I had broke one of major computer rules, BACK UP DATA. I had downloaded my sisters Pics and Vids off 2 SDHC (2gig & 8gig) cards to my computer to produce a home made movie on DVD. After I did that I deleted the cards files so she can continue to shoot pics & vids. A week later my computer mother board failed and one of my hard drives failed as well as a result of that happening. Well she wanted to kill me of course. But I did some research on data recovery software and found this one on the web. So I saved the day. I got them all back.
-
"2 years from accidental format is finally over!"
Version: Recuva 1.43.623
Pros
-It's FREE (not like other recovery softwares)
-It is also easy to use and was able to find ALL 400 plus pics.
-Worked flawlessly
-No malware attatched (honest software)Cons
None so far. (Haven't tried it on recovering videos yet. Going to recover videos soon)
Summary
2 words, perfect software.
Note: There is no need to fear from viruses. It's a clean, honest software :)
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:




