TestDisk
by CGSecurity · Data RecoveryFree, open-source tool that finds lost partitions and makes non-booting disks work again.
100% free tools · picked by data recovery engineers
Free Data Recovery Software
The best free and open-source tools for deleted files, lost partitions, broken videos, Outlook mailboxes, secure wiping and forensics — with honest notes on when free software helps and when it can make things worse.
22Free tools
6Categories
20Developers
100%Free to use
Every tool in our guide — filter by category or search.
PhotoRec
by CGSecurity · Data RecoveryFree, open-source tool that recovers hundreds of file types even from formatted or RAW media.
Windows File Recovery
by Microsoft · Data RecoveryMicrosoft's own free tool to recover deleted files on Windows 10 (2004+) and Windows 11.
Recuva
by CCleaner · Data RecoveryEasy, lightweight Windows tool to undelete files with a free version.
Wise Data Recovery
by WiseCleaner · Data RecoveryQuick and simple Windows recovery tool — the free version recovers up to 2 GB.
DMDE Free Edition
by DMDE Software · Data RecoveryAdvanced recovery and disk editor with a capable free edition.
GNU ddrescue
by GNU Project · Data RecoveryFree Linux tool that copies data from a drive with bad sectors, saving the good areas first.
Eraser
by Eraser (open source) · Data ErasureFree, open-source tool to securely delete files, folders and free space on Windows.
ShredOS (nwipe)
by ShredOS (open source) · Data ErasureFree bootable USB that wipes whole disks with nwipe and creates erasure certificates.
DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke)
by DBAN · Data ErasureClassic free bootable tool to wipe entire hard drives.
Untrunc
by Open source · File RepairFree, open-source tool that repairs truncated MP4, MOV, M4V and 3GP videos using a healthy sample.
VLC Media Player
by VideoLAN · File RepairFree media player that plays damaged files and can repair broken AVI indexes.
FFmpeg
by FFmpeg (open source) · File RepairFree command-line toolkit to remux, re-encode and rescue partly damaged audio and video.
Inbox Repair Tool (SCANPST)
by Microsoft · Email RepairMicrosoft's free Inbox Repair Tool that comes with Outlook for Windows.
libpff (pffexport)
by libyal (open source) · Email RepairFree, open-source library and tools to read and export items from PST and OST files.
MailStore Home
by MailStore · Email ConverterFree email archiving for home users — back up Outlook, PST and webmail and export again.
Thunderbird + ImportExportTools NG
by Mozilla / open source · Email ConverterFree email client with an add-on that imports and exports EML, MBOX and more.
readpst (libpst)
by libpst (open source) · Email ConverterFree command-line tool that converts Outlook PST files to MBOX or EML.
Autopsy
by Basis Technology · ForensicOpen-source digital forensics platform used by investigators and students.
The Sleuth Kit
by Brian Carrier (open source) · ForensicFree command-line tools to examine file systems and recover deleted files from disk images.
FTK Imager
by Exterro · ForensicFree imaging tool to create verified copies of drives and memory.
Guymager
by Guymager (open source) · ForensicFree, open-source forensic imager for Linux with a simple graphical interface.
No software matches your search. Tell us your problem — our engineers will suggest the safest option.
Ask an expert
Before you download
Software or Professional Lab?
Software is great for logical problems on a healthy drive. Hardware faults need a lab — running software on them is the most common reason recoverable data is lost forever.
Software can help when…
- Files were deleted or the Recycle Bin was emptied
- A partition was formatted or deleted by mistake
- The drive shows as RAW or asks to be formatted — but sounds normal
- A video, photo or PST file is corrupted, but the drive is healthy
- You want to securely wipe a drive before selling it
Stop & call a lab when…
- The drive is clicking, beeping, grinding or not spinning
- It is not detected in BIOS / Disk Management
- It was dropped, burnt, or exposed to water or fire
- It is an SSD that suddenly disappeared or shows 0 GB
- It is a RAID / NAS / server, or the data is business-critical
Stop using the driveNew data can overwrite what you lost.
Install elsewhereNever install software on the affected drive.
Save to another diskRecover files to a different drive.
Preview firstCheck files are found before you pay.
FAQ
Data Recovery Software Questions
Not sure which tool fits your problem? Call +91 98331 51550 — we will tell you honestly whether software is enough.
Good software only reads the affected drive, so it is safe for logical problems like deleted files or a formatted partition — as long as you install it and save recovered files on a different drive. It is NOT safe on a drive that is clicking, beeping, not spinning, dropped or burnt: every minute of scanning can damage the platters further.
It depends on the problem. For a quick undelete on Windows, Recuva or Windows File Recovery is enough; for a deleted or lost partition, TestDisk; for formatted cards and RAW drives, PhotoRec; to keep original folder names on a damaged volume, DMDE Free Edition. All are listed here with links to their official websites.
No. Clicking, beeping, a burnt PCB or a drive that is not detected are hardware faults. They need parts, firmware tools and a clean room. Switch the drive off and get a free diagnosis from a professional lab.
Tools marked "100% Free" (such as TestDisk, PhotoRec and Windows File Recovery) have no limits. Tools marked "Free version" can be used free of charge with a limit — for example a maximum amount of data or number of files — and offer an optional paid upgrade.
No. Data Recovery Mumbai is an independent data recovery lab. We list well-known third-party tools with our own notes and link to their official websites. Product names and trademarks belong to their owners.
Files that are found but corrupted usually mean the data was partly overwritten or the drive has bad sectors. Stop using the drive and contact us — a sector-by-sector clone in our lab often gives much better results.
Data Recovery Mumbai is an independent lab and is not the developer of the software listed here. All product names, logos and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Some links may be partner links — this never changes our advice.