1. Continuing to use the drive

Deleted data lives in space Windows now considers free. Browsing, downloading, updating and even saving a single document can overwrite it. Stop using the drive as much as you can.

2. Installing recovery software on the same drive

The installer itself writes files. Download and install to a different drive or a USB stick. TEA-disk is also available as a portable exe that needs no installation.

3. Saving recovered files to the same drive

Recovering file A onto the same drive can overwrite file B that you wanted to recover next. Always choose an output folder on another drive. TEA-disk warns you if you pick the same drive.

4. Formatting when Windows asks

A RAW or unreadable drive triggers a “format this disk” prompt. Click Cancel. Formatting replaces the file table and, with a full format, erases everything. See what to do with a RAW drive.

5. Running repair tools first

Disk repair tools such as CHKDSK change file system structures to make the drive consistent. That can remove the very records a recovery tool needs. Recover first, repair later.

6. Defragmenting or “optimising” the drive

Defragmentation moves lots of data around and fills free space. Pause scheduled optimisation for that drive until your files are back.

7. Waiting too long

On an SSD, TRIM can erase deleted data within minutes (why SSDs are different). On a busy system drive, free space is reused quickly too. The best time to recover is right now.

The safe routine: stop using the drive, run a read-only scan from another drive, recover to a different disk, then check the files.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to run recovery software more than once?

Yes, with a read-only tool. Scanning does not change the drive, so you can try a quick scan first and a deep scan later.

Should I remove the drive from my PC?

For the system drive (C:), shutting down and scanning it from another PC is the safest option if the data is very important.

Get your files back with TEA-disk

Free, read-only recovery for hard disks, SSDs, pendrives and memory cards.

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