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Compare file recovery software

If you’ve accidentally deleted an important file, or need to recover files from a formatted drive, then file recovery software will save your bacon…

These three file recovery programs are free to try, so give ‘em a go…

Best file recovery software — Stellar Windows Data Recovery

Stellar Windows Data Recovery review screenshot

five stars

Pros Recovers 185 different file types from dozens of storage media. Recovers emails & attachments. Recovers files from corrupted and formatted drives. Recovers deleted partitions. Shows your drive’s health. Previews files before recovery.

Cons No text search.

Verdict If you need to recover lost files, this is the best tool for the job.

Full review: Stellar Windows Data Recovery review

Requirements: Windows® Windows® 7, Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, or NT4.

download Stellar Windows Data Recovery nowvisit the Stellar Windows Data Recovery website

Best for previewing files — Remo Recover Pro Edition

Remo Recover Pro Edition review screenshot

four and a half stars

Pros Recovers dozens of file types from dozens of storage media. Previews files before recovery. Recovers files from cameras and mobile phones. Recovers data from corrupted drives. Recovers data from formatted drives and lost partitions.

Cons Small, fixed size window.

Verdict The next best thing to Stellar Windows Data Recovery.

Full review: Remo Recover Pro Edition review

Requirements: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, 2003 or 2008.

download Remo Recover Pro Edition nowvisit the Remo Recover website

Best email recovery — Data Recovery Pro

Data Recovery Pro review screenshot

four stars

Pros Guides you through recovering lost files. You can search for lost files by keyword. Recovers dozens of file types including emails and attachments. Recovers files from peripheral devices, formatted and partitioned drives. Sort and preview scan results.

Cons Didn’t uncover many lost files.

Verdict Great for recovering lost emails and MP3s.

Full review: Data Recovery Pro review

Requirements: Windows® Vista, XP or 2000 (all 32-bit).

download Data Recovery Pro nowvisit the Data Recovery Pro website