My files were deleted or I formatted the drive: can I get them back?
Every attempt you make can turn recoverable data into data that can no longer be recovered.
A deleted file does not disappear immediately: deleting marks the file's space as free. Whether the file can be recovered depends on whether new data has been written to that space and on the type of drive. Stop writing to the drive, do not install recovery software on the same drive, and tell us what happened and how. On this page you can find out what to expect in your situation.
- If the file is in the Recycle Bin, restore it from there.
- Stop using the computer, and in particular do not download large files.
- Note down where the file was and when it was deleted.
- If you have a cloud service such as OneDrive or Google Drive, or a backup history, check it.
- Do not copy new files to the drive the files were deleted from.
- Do not install recovery software on the drive that holds the deleted data.
- Do not save recovered files to the same drive.
- If the drive is faulty, do not run repair tools.
- Do not reinstall Windows.
Where does a deleted file actually go?
When you delete a file, the computer does not erase its contents right away. It marks the space the file occupied as 'free', and the contents stay there until new data is written to that space. On hard drives this gives a chance of recovery. Emptying the Recycle Bin or deleting with Shift has the same effect.
SSDs are different. SSDs use the TRIM command to clean up freed space, and once this command has run, the data may be reset to zero. That is why time matters much more for files deleted from an SSD. Whether TRIM has affected the data on your SSD cannot be known without doing the work. If even the smallest trace remains, we can reach it through professional technical work. For details, see the SSD page.
What does formatting erase?
A quick format resets the file list but does not immediately erase the data itself; the data usually stays where it is. In Windows, if the quick format option is not ticked, the resulting full format can write zeros across the whole drive. In that case recovering the data becomes very difficult or impossible. If you remember which one you did, tell us.
What should you expect in your situation?
| Situation | Recovery outlook | What should you do? |
|---|---|---|
| The file is in the Recycle Bin | The file is still there | Right-click it and choose 'Restore' |
| The Recycle Bin was emptied (hard drive) | Recoverable if no new data has been written | Stop writing to the drive and contact us |
| Deleted on an SSD | Harder if TRIM has run, sometimes impossible | Switch it off right away and contact us |
| Quick format | The data usually stays where it is | Do not write new data |
| Full format (Windows) | Very difficult or impossible if zeros were written | Find out the situation through analysis |
Recovery software or a lab?
If the drive works properly and the files have simply been deleted, recovery software can help. You need to install the software on a different drive and save the recovered files to a different drive as well. If the drive is making noises, not showing up or slowing down, using software can make the fault worse. In that case a lab is needed.
How long does it take and how much does it cost?
Standard cases take 10 business days on average, and urgent cases take 24 business hours on average. The actual time depends on the type of fault, sourcing the parts needed and the capacity of the drive. Some jobs are completed within a few hours, while others can take months.
The price depends on the type of fault, the parts needed and how long the work takes. After the analysis we send you the exact price in writing. If you do not accept the quote, you get your device back without paying. Not every case falls within the scope of free analysis. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you are informed in writing about the analysis fee before any work begins. For details, see the pages on what determines the price and how long it takes.
Can the data always be recovered?
No. If new data has been written over the deleted space, if TRIM has run on an SSD, or if the drive was fully formatted and zeros were written, some or all of the data may not be recoverable. We cannot know the outcome without carrying out an analysis. After the analysis you will be informed about the situation.
Frequently asked questions
I emptied the Recycle Bin. Can the files be recovered?
On a hard drive, they can be recovered if no new data has been written to the deleted space. On an SSD it becomes harder if TRIM has run. In both cases, stopping using the computer and contacting us improves the chances.
Can photos deleted from an SD card or USB flash drive be recovered?
The same logic applies. Remove the card from the device and do not take new photos or copy files to it. You can bring the card to us for an analysis of its condition.
Do free recovery programs work?
On a healthy drive, used correctly, they can work. Installing them or saving files to the same drive can overwrite the data. If the drive is making noises, do not use software. If you have used software but could not get to your data, you can contact us for professional work.
Do I pay anything if I do not accept the quote?
No. If you do not accept the quote after the analysis, you get your device back without paying. In cases where it cannot be foreseen at which stage the data will become accessible, the price may also be set after the data has been recovered, based on the time and resources spent on the work. In that case you are under no obligation to pay. Not every case falls within the scope of free analysis. For requests outside the free analysis scope, you are informed in writing about the analysis fee before any work begins.
Why is free analysis not available in every case?
For some requests a short assessment of the device is possible, and we can offer a free analysis. For others, our specialists can only reach an opinion or a result after long hours of work on your device with professional tools. Because we carry out the technical work that has to be done in the part we call analysis, we may not be able to offer those hours free of charge.
What do you do during the analysis?
During the analysis we actually begin the professional technical work that needs to be done. Many businesses, on the other hand, say they offer 'free analysis' to attract customers and get them to bring their device in, and once the device has been handed over, without setting aside any time for it, they say something like 'we will work on it; if it works it costs this much, if not, that much'. Having had the device handed over with the words 'free analysis', they know the customer will want the work to continue rather than go to the trouble of taking the device back, and since they put in no effort or time, they can claim to offer 'free analysis' in every case. In reality this is little more than a trap to attract customers.
Do you charge a service fee?
We do not charge anything under the name of a service fee. We offer free analysis. For requests outside the free analysis scope, the analysis fee is communicated in writing at the start. Some businesses advertise with phrases such as "600TL data recovery service fee", leading customers to believe they will have their data recovered for 600TL. That is how they draw customers in. We do not work in such an unethical way.
Let's assess your situation together: call 0212 909 56 19 or write to us on WhatsApp. See our contact page for the address and opening hours.
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