Basic Steps for Recovering Data

This topic describes the basic steps to follow to recover your data.

Step 1. Create a drive image *

While it is not required, we recommend that you first create a drive image copy of the drive with the missing data, and then recover the data from that copy. This is suggested in case the operating system overwrites your files before recovery. More on why this is recommended:

 

Refer to the Make a Copy of a Drive or Disk Wizard topic for instruction.

Step 2. Choose the appropriate recovery tool

Choose the tool that corresponds to the type of files you want to recover. The recovery tools are accessible from the top left side of the Home page.

Search and Recover will provide a list of all the deleted files found, and then you can decide which ones you want to recover.

Search and Recover will provide a list of all the deleted pictures and movies found, and then you can decide which ones you want to recover.

Search and Recover will provide a list of all the deleted songs and sounds found, and then you can decide which ones you want to recover.

For Outlook users, Search and Recover will automatically recover and save all of the deleted email messages. For  other email programs, Search and Recover will provide a list of all the deleted email messages found, and then you can decide which ones you want to recover.

Search and Recover will automatically recover and save all of the deleted data to the location you specify.

Step 3. Run the recovery tool

Each tool provides a wizard that guides you through the options of selecting the applicable drives or devices, and then recovering the data to the location you specify.

 

Click Help on any of the wizard screens to open this Help system and view task-specific instructions. For additional assistance, refer to our Web-based support or contact Technical Support.

Next Steps

As you continue to use Search and Recover, you'll discover additional ways to manage your backup and data recovery needs. In addition to recovering data, you can:

*Requires a 32-bit operating system.

Related topics:

Overview of the Search and Recover interface

Tips for effective data recovery