Recover Deleted Videos: A Comprehensive Guide
Deleting a cherished video accidentally can be a frustrating experience. However, all hope is not lost. In my experience, there are various methods to recover deleted videos. Whether the file was on a phone, computer, or external drive, you have options. One of the most reliable tools I’ve found is the Disk Drill app. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on different methods to recover deleted videos. For those unfamiliar with Disk Drill, it’s a powerful recovery tool with a user-friendly interface, available on https://www.disk-drill.com. Let’s dive into the details and explore multiple ways to get your videos back.
Common Scenarios:
Accidentally Deleted Videos 😨
- One of the most common scenarios is accidentally deleting videos while trying to free up space or organize your files. In this case, checking the Recycle Bin or Trash is a good first step.
Formatted Drive 🎛
- If you’ve formatted your drive, all the files, including videos, are usually removed. Using specialized software like Disk Drill can be vital for recovery.
Corrupted Storage Device 💾
- Videos can also get lost due to a corrupted storage device. You might see messages prompting you to format the device, but resist the urge and try recovery methods first.
Step-by-Step Guide. How To Recover Deleted Videos:
Method 1: Using Disk Drill 🚀
- Download and install Disk Drill from https://www.disk-drill.com.
- Open the app and select the storage device from which you want to recover the deleted videos.
- Click on the ‘Recover’ button and wait for the scan to complete.
- Preview the videos that can be recovered and select the ones you wish to restore.
- Click ‘Recover’ again to save the videos to a different location.
Note: Always save the recovered videos to a different storage device to avoid overwriting other lost files.
Conclusion: Disk Drill is an efficient and reliable tool for recovering deleted videos, even from formatted or corrupted drives.
Method 2: Check the Recycle Bin/Trash 🗑
- Open the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) on your computer.
- Look for the deleted videos. You can use the search bar to make this easier.
- Right-click on the video files and select ‘Restore’ (Windows) or drag them out of the Trash (Mac).
- The videos should now be back in their original location.
- If you have a regular backup routine, locate the backup that includes the deleted videos.
- Open the backup file or application.
- Follow the prompts to restore the deleted videos to their original or another location.
- Verify that the videos are correctly restored and playable.
- Go to Control Panel and click on ‘File History.’
- Click on ‘Restore personal files‘ from the left sidebar.
- Look for the folder where the deleted videos were stored.
- Select the videos and click on the ‘Restore’ button to bring them back to their original location.
- Open Time Machine from your Applications folder or the menu bar.
- Select the folder where the deleted videos were originally located.
- Use the timeline to find a backup copy of the deleted videos.
- Select the videos and click ‘Restore’ to recover them.
- Log in to the cloud service where your videos were backed up (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud).
- Navigate to the Trash or Deleted Items folder.
- Look for the deleted videos. You can use the search bar if there are many files.
- Select the videos and click on ‘Restore’ to bring them back to their original location in your cloud storage.
- If all else fails, you can opt for professional data recovery services.
- Search for a reputable data recovery service provider in your area.
- Submit the affected storage device to them for recovery.
- Follow the provider’s instructions and wait for them to recover the videos.
Note: This method works only if you haven’t emptied the Recycle Bin or Trash.
Conclusion: This is a simple and quick method for recent deletions. Always check the Recycle Bin or Trash before trying more advanced solutions.
Method 3: Recover from Backup 🌐
Note: Ensure that your backups are up-to-date to prevent future data loss.
Conclusion: Using backups is one of the most reliable ways of recovering deleted videos without data loss.
Method 4: Using File History (Windows) 🖥
Note: This method works only if you have enabled File History on your Windows computer.
Conclusion: File History is a great built-in tool for Windows users to recover deleted videos effortlessly.
Method 5: Restore from Time Machine (Mac) ⌛
Note: Ensure your Time Machine backup is current to avoid missing recent files.
Conclusion: Time Machine is an essential tool for Mac users and provides a hassle-free way of recovering deleted videos.
Method 6: Using Cloud Services ☁
Note: Make sure your cloud backups are always up to date to avoid losing recent files.
Conclusion: Cloud services provide an excellent second line of defense for recovering accidentally deleted videos.
Method 7: Using Data Recovery Services 🛠
Note: This method can be expensive and should be considered a last resort.
Conclusion: Professional data recovery services can recover deleted videos even in the most challenging situations, but at a higher cost.
Watch on Youtube: Recover Deleted Videos: A Comprehensive Guide
Precautions and Tips:
Stay Safe While Recovering Your Data 🛡
- Always use reliable data recovery software like Disk Drill to avoid further data loss.
- Back up your data regularly to multiple locations including cloud storage.
- Avoid writing new data to the storage device from which you are trying to recover videos.
- Use anti-virus software to prevent data corruption from malware.
Following safe practices can ensure that you have multiple avenues to recover your valuable videos without much hassle.
Additional Tips
When it comes to recovering deleted videos, having a multi-pronged approach significantly increases your chances of successfully retrieving your lost files. While tools like Disk Drill are incredibly efficient, knowing other methods can be beneficial too.
If you’re not using a data recovery tool, always check your backups. Most modern operating systems, whether Windows or Mac, have built-in backup solutions like File History or Time Machine. Always make sure these services are activated and are regularly backing up your data. For more information about File History, you can check the detailed guide on the Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-up-and-configure-file-history-44de4b83-0663-0eca-Thu.
File recovery from cloud services has become an extremely reliable and convenient option. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud provide easy ways to restore deleted items. For instance, if you have videos stored on Google Drive, you can refer to Google’s help guide on file recovery here: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2365091?hl=en.
If you have tried all other methods but still haven’t been able to recover your videos, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. While this might be an expensive route, professional services have specialized tools and expertise that can often retrieve data from even the most damaged storage devices. To understand how professional recovery works, you can visit a site like Ontrack: https://www.ontrack.com/en-us/data-recovery/data-recovery-service.
Using these diversified methods and regular backup practices, you can safeguard and recover your important video files efficiently.
Conclusion:
FAQ
How can I recover deleted videos from a smartphone?
You can use specialized data recovery software or apps available for smartphones. Ensure you stop using the phone to prevent overwriting the deleted data, making recovery easier.
What are some effective data recovery software options?
Popular tools include Recuva for computers and Dr.Fone for smartphones. Both offer user-friendly interfaces and robust recovery capabilities for various file types, including videos.
Can I restore videos from the Recycle Bin or Trash?
If the videos were deleted recently, they might still be in the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Open it, locate the videos, and manually restore them.
Is it possible to retrieve videos from a backup?
Yes, if you regularly back up your device. Check your cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud, or your manual backups on external drives, to restore the deleted videos.
How can I recover videos from an SD card?
Use an SD card reader to connect it to your computer, then run data recovery software like EaseUS to scan and recover the deleted videos.
Is professional data recovery service an option?
If the videos are critical and software solutions fail, consider a professional data recovery service. These services have advanced tools to retrieve data from physically damaged or corrupted devices.
Can videos be restored from a remote server?
If your videos were stored on a cloud server (e.g., OneDrive or Dropbox), check the server’s deleted files or trash folder, where they might be recoverable within a certain time frame.
What should I do to prevent data loss in the future?
Regularly back up your important videos. Utilize cloud storage for automatic backups and invest in reliable external drives for manual backups. Consider using redundant backup methods.
How do I recover videos after a factory reset?
After a factory reset, use a comprehensive data recovery tool like FonePaw, which can scan for and recover available data. Ensure your device hasn't been heavily used post-reset to avoid overwriting.
What steps can I take to recover videos from a hard disk drive?
Connect the hard disk to a computer and use a recovery tool like Recuva. Run a deep scan on the drive to locate and restore the deleted videos from the scanned results.