Accidentally deleted files? Emptied the Recycle Bin? Or maybe your hard drive or USB stick stopped working? Don’t panic — in many cases, your data can still be recovered with the right software.
Here’s a list of some of the best free data recovery tools for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that can help you get your files back.
1. Recuva (by CCleaner)
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One of the most popular free recovery tools.
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Can restore files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards.
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Offers both quick scan and deep scan.
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Easy interface for beginners.
2. PhotoRec
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Completely free and open-source.
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Despite the name, it recovers not only photos but also documents, videos, and more.
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Works even with damaged or reformatted drives.
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Less user-friendly, but very powerful.
3. Disk Drill (Free Version)
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Modern and simple interface.
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Can recover up to 500MB for free.
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Supports recovery from partitions, USB sticks, and SD cards.
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Also includes disk health monitoring tools.
4. R-Studio (Demo)
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Professional-grade recovery tool.
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The demo allows recovering small files for free.
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Useful if you want to test before deciding on the paid version.
5. DMDE Free Edition
- Advanced recovery utility with deep disk scanning.
- Free edition lets you recover files in limited sets.
- Great for tech-savvy users who need powerful recovery options.
Tips for Better Recovery
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Stop using the drive immediately after losing files to avoid overwriting.
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Try recovery as soon as possible — the longer you wait, the lower the chance of success.
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Save recovered files to a different disk to prevent further data loss.
Conclusion
Free data recovery software won’t always bring back everything, but tools like Recuva and PhotoRec can save the day in many cases. For more advanced recovery, you may need a paid solution, but it’s always worth trying free tools first.
Explore other helpful tools in our Windows utilities section.
