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Cybersecurity Information SecurityTop 10 Best Erased Data Recovery Software of 2026
Top 10 erased data recovery software ranked for deleted file restoration, comparing Ontrack Easy Recovery, GetDataBack, and Stellar for Windows and Mac.
How we ranked these tools
Core product claims cross-referenced against official documentation, changelogs, and independent technical reviews.
Analyzed video reviews and hundreds of written evaluations to capture real-world user experiences with each tool.
AI persona simulations modeled how different user types would experience each tool across common use cases and workflows.
Final rankings reviewed and approved by our editorial team with authority to override AI-generated scores based on domain expertise.
Score: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy
MiniTool Power Data Recovery is the go-to choice for deleted files that still need preview-led recovery from readable drives, whereas Ontrack EasyRecovery fits teams and labs that want guided deleted-file work with preview and destination isolation instead of fully manual carving.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
Preview and recoverable file filtering after mixed scanning results.
Built for fits when deleted files need preview-led recovery from drives that are still readable..
Disk Drill
Editor pickLive file preview during recovery lets users confirm content before selecting items to write back.
Built for fits when deleted files need fast preview validation before restoring specific items..
Stellar Data Recovery
Editor pickPreview before recovery with recoverable file filtering lets scanning results be validated before any restore step.
Built for fits when recovery needs preview filtering and imaging safety, not forensic scripting..
Comparison Table
MiniTool Power Data Recovery
SMBRecovery software for deleted files, lost partitions, and inaccessible drives.
Preview and recoverable file filtering after mixed scanning results.
MiniTool Power Data Recovery combines quick scan and deep scan passes to improve recovery odds when deleted entries or filesystem structures are incomplete. The software provides a file preview step and recoverable file filtering, which helps narrow results before writing recovered files to an alternate drive.
A practical tradeoff is that deep scan time increases sharply on large disks, especially after partition loss or when the filesystem metadata is badly damaged. It fits best when the immediate goal is deleted file recovery from an HDD, removable media, or an SSD-based volume where a disk image recovery workflow is not yet in place.
- +Preview before recovery with selectable result subsets
- +Quick scan plus deep scan workflow for stronger odds
- +File signature-based carving for missing filesystem structures
- +Recovery destination isolation reduces overwrite risk
- –Deep scan throughput drops on large drives
- –Fewer advanced controls for RAID reconstruction workflows
- –Limited guidance when TRIM-aware recovery is required
Home users
Recycle Bin emptied on USB drive
Faster, targeted restore
Small office IT
Deleted folder after accidental cleanup
More complete folder recovery
Show 2 more scenarios
Freelance creatives
Formatted external drive with media files
Recoverable media restored
Applies signature-based file carving to recover content even when filesystem entries are gone.
On-call support
Partition missing after system change
Files found despite partition loss
Performs deep scanning to locate files across damaged or altered disk layouts.
Best for: Fits when deleted files need preview-led recovery from drives that are still readable.
Disk Drill
SMBData recovery software for deleted files, formatted drives, and lost partitions.
Live file preview during recovery lets users confirm content before selecting items to write back.
Disk Drill fits situations where deleted files still have enough on-disk traces to be reconstructed via filesystem metadata recovery and signature-based scanning. It uses a preview-first workflow so users can validate file content and recover specific items instead of restoring everything. A practical fit signal for rapid triage is the tool’s ability to start with shorter scans and escalate to deeper scans when the quick pass returns few results.
A tradeoff is that carved results are not guaranteed to preserve original directory structure, so manual reassembly may be needed for complex folder trees. Disk Drill works best when the affected drive can be imaged first or at least scanned without writes, such as accidental deletions from an internal SSD or a formatted removable drive.
- +Preview-driven workflow reduces wrong-item restores
- +Quick scan plus deeper scan escalates when results are thin
- +Clear recovery destination selection supports safer writes
- +Works across common drive types for file-level recovery
- –Recovered folder structure can be incomplete after carving
- –Best results require scan-then-recover discipline
Home users
Accidental delete from NTFS folders
Lower restore mistakes
Freelance photographers
Formatted SD card after shoot
Recovered image assets
Show 2 more scenarios
Small IT teams
SSD data recovery after recycle bin purge
More recoverable files
TRIM-aware guidance supports scan planning while keeping writes separated from the source.
Students and researchers
Deleted project folder on external drive
Project files restored
Quick-to-deep scan workflow speeds triage for partially overwritten or recently deleted data.
Best for: Fits when deleted files need fast preview validation before restoring specific items.
Stellar Data Recovery
SMBRecovery software for deleted files, formatted volumes, and damaged storage media.
Preview before recovery with recoverable file filtering lets scanning results be validated before any restore step.
Stellar Data Recovery uses signature-based scanning and sector-focused carving to locate file content even when directory metadata is damaged. The product emphasizes preview before recovery so files can be filtered and validated from extracted results instead of restoring everything at once. It also provides an imaging-first workflow option, which helps keep the original drive read-only and supports safer recovery from failing disks.
A practical tradeoff is that deep scanning increases runtime and can produce large result sets that require manual filtering through preview. Stellar fits best when the priority is restoring specific documents, photos, or common file formats from a recently deleted partition, or after a logical issue like a formatted volume where metadata is unreliable.
- +Preview-driven recovery reduces wrong-file restores
- +Imaging-first workflow supports safer reads on failing media
- +Carving-style recovery finds content after metadata loss
- +Multi-filesystem support covers typical Windows and removable drives
- –Deep scan runtimes increase on large or heavily used disks
- –High-volume results demand extra filtering time
- –Not a forensic-grade reporting tool for chain-of-custody needs
- –Advanced RAID and volume scenarios require careful selection
IT helpdesk technicians
Restore deleted user documents quickly
Reduced downtime for staff restores
Small business operators
Recover files after accidental format
Recoverable documents with minimal rework
Show 2 more scenarios
Digital forensics reviewers
Validate candidate files from raw reads
Safer candidate extraction for review
Supports imaging-based workflows so the original media stays intact during analysis.
Freelance creators
Recover photos and project files from SSD
Faster selection of usable assets
Applies sector-focused recovery and preview to select intact media assets from SSD volumes.
Best for: Fits when recovery needs preview filtering and imaging safety, not forensic scripting.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
SMBGuided recovery software for deleted, formatted, and inaccessible data.
Preview-driven restore from scan results, enabling targeted recovery before committing data to the destination.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard targets erased file recovery with a workflow centered on scanning, previewing, and restoring to a chosen destination. It supports deleted file recovery across common filesystem layouts and offers both quicker and deeper scan modes for different recovery urgency and media condition.
The tool also includes raw recovery style scanning for cases where filesystem metadata is damaged or inaccessible. It is built for direct desktop use with guided steps rather than admin-managed recovery at scale.
- +Guided scan and recovery wizard reduces steps to restore deleted files
- +Preview supports selective restores instead of recovering entire scans
- +Deep scan mode improves coverage when filesystem metadata is unreliable
- +Raw-style scanning helps when standard filesystem paths fail
- –Recovery quality depends heavily on available drive condition and sectors
- –Fewer enterprise controls for audit, RBAC, and recovery job governance
- –Large volumes can produce lengthy scan times in deep mode
- –Less suited to RAID member-level workflows compared with specialized tools
Best for: Fits when a single user needs deleted file recovery with preview and guided scan options.
Ontrack EasyRecovery
enterpriseData recovery software for deleted files, damaged volumes, and email data.
Preview-driven selection with filterable recoverable lists tightly coupled to guided filesystem recovery steps in the recovery workflow.
Ontrack EasyRecovery performs erased file recovery by rebuilding access to deleted content through drive imaging and structured filesystem recovery workflows. It supports both quick scans and deeper signature-based and metadata-driven recovery paths to target missing directory entries and file signatures on common formats.
The tool also provides a preview and recoverable file filtering step so recovered items can be reviewed before writing them to a separate destination. Ontrack EasyRecovery’s differentiation comes from guided, validation-heavy recovery flows that focus on partition and filesystem recovery outcomes rather than only raw carving.
- +Guided recovery steps that focus on filesystem state before writing output
- +Preview and recoverable file filtering to reduce unnecessary restores
- +Drive imaging workflow supports safer recovery destination isolation
- +Handles both shallow and deeper recovery paths when initial results are thin
- –Recovery workflow can feel rigid for repeat testing across many images
- –More effective results depend on selecting the right source partition
- –Automation and extensibility options are limited versus scriptable recovery toolchains
- –Deeper scans increase processing time substantially
Best for: Fits when labs need guided deleted file recovery with preview and destination isolation rather than fully manual carving.
GetDataBack
specialistFile recovery software for deleted data and inaccessible Windows volumes.
File listing generation from leftover filesystem structures with previewed entries before extraction.
GetDataBack from runtime.org targets deleted file recovery by focusing on filesystem metadata recovery and directory reconstruction from raw structures. It uses signature-based scanning and deep scan passes to find remnants after deletions, formatting, and partition damage.
The workflow centers on building a disk image recovery view, previewing recovered filenames, and selecting a recovery destination that isolates writes from the source. Its fit is strongest when NTFS or FAT-style metadata still contains enough structure to rebuild folder paths and file entries.
- +Metadata-driven recovery that rebuilds filenames and folder paths from remnants
- +Deep scan mode finds more content after formatting and partition damage
- +Disk image recovery workflow reduces risk to the source device
- +Preview before recovery supports selective extraction without re-running scans
- –Complex storage layouts can produce multiple candidate results requiring manual selection
- –Recovery outcomes depend heavily on surviving filesystem metadata quality
- –Automation surface is limited to interactive workflow instead of scheduled jobs
- –Large scans can take long on high-capacity disks without pre-imaging
Best for: Fits when NTFS or FAT metadata still exists enough to reconstruct filenames and folder paths after deletion.
Wondershare Recoverit
SMBConsumer recovery software for deleted files, crashed systems, and lost partitions.
Recovery destination selection plus preview-first validation reduces accidental overwrites during deleted file recovery.
Wondershare Recoverit is built around a guided recovery sequence that starts with choosing the affected drive or partition and then runs quick scan before deep scan.
The tool provides a preview step that shows recoverable items so the operator can filter results before saving to a selected destination.
Recovery effectiveness depends on filesystem metadata presence, and outcomes improve when the product can use file signatures during deep scanning.
- +Quick scan plus deep scan flow narrows results before full imaging work
- +Preview helps filter obvious false positives before writing recovered files
- +Signature-based scanning can recover files when filesystem metadata is missing
- +Destination isolation reduces risk of overwriting source sectors
- –Limited evidence of automation or API access for large-scale recovery pipelines
- –Preview can still miss fragment-level losses on heavily overwritten drives
- –RAID recovery workflows are not clearly positioned for controller metadata scenarios
- –Strongest guidance is local desktop use, not centralized admin governance
Best for: Fits when individuals need a guided deleted-file workflow with preview before writing results.
Recuva
SMBWindows recovery utility for deleted files on local and removable storage.
Results list includes file type and recoverability status signals to guide which items to attempt first.
Recuva focuses on deleted file recovery for common Windows scenarios like recycle bin removal and accidentally deleted items. It runs quick and deep scans with filename and file type based detection, then shows a preview-style results list before copying recovered files to a separate destination.
The workflow centers on selecting a drive or folder, choosing scan depth, and filtering recoverable items by type and status. It lacks enterprise-grade imaging, automation hooks, and detailed governance controls found in higher-end recovery tools.
- +Quick and deep scan modes for faster versus thorough results
- +Preview-style results list helps filter before copying recovered files
- +Simple drive or folder selection keeps the recovery loop short
- +File type and status indicators reduce guesswork during selection
- –Recovery quality drops quickly after heavy overwriting
- –Limited support for advanced imaging workflows like sector-by-sector disk images
- –No documented automation or API surface for batch recovery tasks
- –Control over recovery destination isolation is basic
Best for: Fits when individual Windows users need straightforward deleted file recovery with scan depth and results filtering.
Windows File Recovery
enterpriseMicrosoft command-line utility for recovering deleted files from local storage.
Quick versus deep scan modes that trade runtime for increased recovery from partially overwritten regions.
Windows File Recovery is a Windows-focused deleted file recovery tool that restores files by reading underlying storage data and filesystem cues. It supports both NTFS and exFAT targets and can recover content even when directory entries are missing, using signature-based file carving.
The workflow includes a quick recovery pass and a deeper scan option for recovering more remnants from more fragmented or overwritten regions. Recovery is written to a user-chosen destination to reduce overwrite risk during the restoration step.
- +Command-line recovery workflow fits incident response and scripting tasks
- +Can recover from NTFS and exFAT when names and paths are missing
- +Quick and deep scan modes change how much metadata and space is examined
- +Recovery destination selection helps isolate output from source media
- –No graphical preview before restoration so file selection is riskier
- –Limited format breadth compared with tools that handle more filesystem variants
- –Lacks guided drive imaging and RAID recovery workflows
- –Requires careful command and destination handling to avoid overwriting
Best for: Fits when Windows admins need a built-in command-line option for deleted file recovery on NTFS or exFAT.
Active@ File Recovery
specialistWindows recovery software for deleted files, partitions, and formatted disks.
Signature-based scanning with previewed item lists helps validate recoverable files before writing to the recovery destination.
Active@ File Recovery targets deleted file recovery workflows with a focus on signature-based scanning and filesystem metadata recovery for NTFS and other common formats. The tool is designed to find recoverable items from erased data and formatted media by combining quick and deep scans with preview before recovery.
Recovery operations support restoring files to a separate destination to reduce overwrite risk during recovery from damaged or inaccessible volumes. File filtering and result triage help narrow large result sets before exporting recovered content.
- +Preview before recovery helps validate file identity before writing output
- +Quick and deep scans support different recovery thoroughness levels
- +File filtering reduces noise when scans return large item lists
- +Recovery destination isolation minimizes overwrite risk during restores
- –Less predictable results on heavily fragmented or corrupted volumes than top tools
- –Deeper scans require long run times on large disks
- –Limited automation and no documented scripting or API surface for repeat jobs
- –Workflow can feel manual when recovering many partitions across disks
Best for: Fits when small IT teams need previewed deleted file recovery and controlled restores, without automation requirements.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 cybersecurity information security, MiniTool Power Data Recovery stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
How to Choose the Right erased data recovery software
Erased data recovery software focuses on restoring deleted files from disks that still contain recoverable traces such as filesystem metadata remnants, file signatures, and carved blocks. This guide covers MiniTool Power Data Recovery, Disk Drill, Stellar Data Recovery, and the rest of the ranked set through Active@ File Recovery.
Each reviewed tool emphasizes a different recovery workflow path. Some center preview-first selection so users confirm content before writing output, while others prioritize metadata-driven reconstruction of filenames and folder paths or signature-based scanning with item lists. The selection differences matter because wrong picks, long runtimes, and incomplete folder structures show up at different stages.
Erased data recovery software for deleted file restoration from readable media
Erased data recovery software restores deleted files by scanning a drive, collecting candidate entries, and writing selected results to a recovery destination isolated from the source. Tools typically mix quick scan and deeper scan modes to trade runtime for additional recovery opportunities in partially overwritten regions.
Workflow design drives the day-to-day outcomes, especially preview before recovery and recoverable file filtering. MiniTool Power Data Recovery and Stellar Data Recovery both use preview-driven selection to validate scanning results before any restore step, which reduces wrong-file restores. Other tools such as GetDataBack lean on leftover filesystem structures to rebuild filenames and folder paths when metadata still exists enough to reconstruct directory context.
Erased data recovery capabilities that determine success rate
Deleted file recovery succeeds or fails based on how tools manage scanning output and how they narrow the restore set before writing anything to the recovery destination. Preview-first selection and recoverable file filtering reduce wrong-item restores when scan results include false positives.
Recovery workflows also differ in how they handle filesystem context and metadata reconstruction. Tools like GetDataBack focus on rebuilding filenames and folder paths from leftover filesystem structures, while others tie preview and filtering to a guided recovery flow.
Preview before restoration with filterable recoverable lists
MiniTool Power Data Recovery and Stellar Data Recovery use preview-driven selection paired with recoverable file filtering so scanning results can be validated before any restore step. Disk Drill also provides live preview during recovery to confirm content before restoring specific items.
Guided filesystem recovery tied to previewed selection
Ontrack EasyRecovery combines guided filesystem recovery steps with preview and recoverable file filtering to steer users toward safer output behavior. MiniTool Power Data Recovery also uses a mixed scan workflow with filtering, but it adds more flexible preview-led selection across mixed scanning results.
Metadata-driven reconstruction of deleted filenames and folder paths
GetDataBack prioritizes leftover filesystem structures to rebuild filenames and folder paths when metadata remnants are sufficient. This approach can produce strong results after formatting and partition damage, but it depends on surviving filesystem metadata quality.
Image-first workflow to reduce risk on failing media
Stellar Data Recovery supports an imaging-first workflow that supports safer reads on failing drives before recovery operations proceed. MiniTool Power Data Recovery and Disk Drill focus more directly on preview-led restore selection after scanning.
Selection controls that reduce accidental overwrites
Wondershare Recoverit includes recovery destination selection plus preview-first validation to reduce accidental overwrites during deleted file recovery. Stellar and MiniTool also prioritize preview-driven recovery, but they emphasize recoverable file filtering from scan results.
Match the workflow to the drive condition and the recovery goal
A correct choice starts with whether the recovery workflow should validate content before writing output. Preview-first tools like MiniTool Power Data Recovery, Disk Drill, and Stellar Data Recovery reduce wrong-item restores by forcing confirmation at the scan result stage.
A second decision point is whether recovery should rely on leftover filesystem structures or on broader scanning and carving. GetDataBack is tuned for metadata reconstruction when NTFS or FAT structures still provide enough remnants, while Windows File Recovery and other general tools trade preview depth for workflow speed or scripting fit.
Choose preview-first selection if false positives are a concern
Pick MiniTool Power Data Recovery if mixed scanning results require preview-led recoverable file filtering before commit. Pick Disk Drill if fast live preview validation is needed before selecting specific items to restore.
Choose imaging-first behavior if the source drive is unstable
Pick Stellar Data Recovery when a safer imaging-first workflow is needed before recovery reads and writes. This helps when deep scan runtimes are acceptable to gain stability and reduce the risk of working directly on failing media.
Choose metadata reconstruction when filesystem remnants still exist
Pick GetDataBack when deleted NTFS or FAT items still leave enough structural remnants to rebuild filenames and folder paths. Plan for manual selection when complex storage layouts create multiple candidate results.
Choose guided filesystem recovery when repeatable steps matter
Pick Ontrack EasyRecovery when guided recovery steps should focus on filesystem state before writing output. Use this when a controlled destination workflow and previewed selection are more valuable than a fully manual carving approach.
Choose automation-friendly command workflows only if scripting is required
Pick Windows File Recovery when a built-in command-line workflow is needed for incident response and scripting tasks. Accept the tradeoff that it provides no graphical preview before restoration.
Choose straightforward filtering for single-user recovery attempts
Pick Recuva for Windows user workflows that need quick versus thorough results and a results list that includes type and recoverability signals. Use it when overwritten data is not heavily dense and when advanced imaging workflows are not required.
Who benefits from erased data recovery workflows built around previews and reconstruction
Users should match recovery tools to how the tool surfaces uncertainty during scanning. Preview-led tools like MiniTool Power Data Recovery, Disk Drill, and Stellar Data Recovery fit cases where the cost of restoring the wrong file is high.
Technical teams should also match the tool to governance needs and workflow repeatability. Products like Ontrack EasyRecovery emphasize guided steps, while Windows File Recovery fits scripted recovery tasks without a graphical preview stage.
Home users restoring specific documents after accidental deletion
Disk Drill and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard provide preview-driven restore targeting so users can validate scan results before writing selected items to the destination.
Incident responders running deleted file recovery from command-line scripts
Windows File Recovery supports a command-line workflow that fits scripted tasks, and it can recover from NTFS and exFAT even when names and paths are missing.
Small IT teams managing controlled restores with previewed validation
Active@ File Recovery and Ontrack EasyRecovery both emphasize previewed item validation before writing output to reduce overwrite risk in routine recovery work.
Analysts reconstructing deleted folder structure from surviving filesystem metadata
GetDataBack rebuilds filenames and folder paths from leftover filesystem structures, which can restore directory context when metadata remnants remain.
Users recovering from drives that show instability or read errors
Stellar Data Recovery uses an imaging-first workflow so scans and recovery operations can proceed with safer reads on failing media.
Common erased data recovery mistakes that reduce recoverable outcomes
Most failures come from restoring too early or writing output in a way that discards the ability to safely validate candidates. Tools that rely on preview and filtering still require deliberate selection behavior at the scan result stage.
Other failures come from assuming all tools treat filesystem structure the same way. GetDataBack depends heavily on surviving metadata quality, while preview-first tools depend on the quality of scan results presented to the user.
Restoring without using preview filtering to confirm candidates
Use MiniTool Power Data Recovery or Stellar Data Recovery to validate recoverable file lists before writing output, because preview-driven selection is designed to reduce wrong-file restores.
Skipping scan-then-recover discipline when results are mixed or thin
Disk Drill and MiniTool Power Data Recovery perform better when scan results are reviewed and filtered before restoring, since recovered outcomes worsen when users copy everything from incomplete scan sets.
Assuming metadata-driven reconstruction will work after heavy formatting or corrupted layout
GetDataBack outcomes depend on surviving filesystem metadata quality, so manual selection becomes necessary when multiple candidate results appear from complex storage layouts.
Running deep scanning on large drives without planning for time and filtering
Stellar Data Recovery and MiniTool Power Data Recovery can see deep scan runtimes increase on large or heavily used disks, so filtering and staged selection prevent wasted restores.
Treating a quick scan as a substitute for validating content on heavily overwritten storage
Recuva and Windows File Recovery can produce recoverability signals or deeper options, but recovery quality drops quickly after heavy overwriting, so deep scanning steps should be used when quick results look thin.
How We Selected and Ranked These Tools
We evaluated erased data recovery workflows by weighting recoverable-item selection quality and recovery accuracy at 40 percent, because preview-driven filtering changes how many wrong files get written to the recovery destination. We scored ease of recovery and time-to-decision at 30 percent combined by reflecting how guided steps and scan mode escalation reduce trial-and-error.
We also weighted value at 30 percent by measuring how preview-led targeting reduces unnecessary output work compared with tools that rely more on user-driven interpretation. MiniTool Power Data Recovery ranked first because it pairs preview before recovery with selectable result subsets and uses a quick scan plus deep scan workflow that improves odds while keeping recoverable file filtering tightly coupled to the restore step.
Frequently Asked Questions About erased data recovery software
How does deleted file recovery differ between Ontrack EasyRecovery and GetDataBack?
Which tool supports a preview-first workflow during deleted file recovery?
When should a disk image workflow be used instead of writing directly from scan results?
What tradeoff occurs when choosing quick scan versus deep scan modes?
What breaks if the recovery destination is not isolated from the source drive?
Which tool fits NTFS-first metadata reconstruction for formatted drives?
How does recoverable file filtering change the recovery workflow in Stellar Data Recovery and Ontrack EasyRecovery?
Which tools support signature-based scanning when directory metadata is damaged?
What is the most common cause of missing items during deleted file recovery, and how do the tools respond?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
- Cybersecurity Information SecurityTop 10 Best Data Recovery Software Software of 2026
- Technology Digital MediaTop 10 Best Erased File Recovery Software of 2026
- Cybersecurity Information SecurityTop 10 Best Erase Hard Drive Software of 2026
- Cybersecurity Information SecurityTop 10 Best Business Data Recovery Services of 2026
- Emergency DisasterTop 10 Best Backup Disaster Recovery Services of 2026
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