How to recover deleted photos from PC: complete guide

This practical guide will explain how to recover deleted photos from your PC, a common problem that can happen to anyone. Accidentally deleting important images can be a stressful experience, but with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to attempt to restore them.

Recovering deleted photos is useful for anyone who has lost valuable data due to management errors or accidental deletions. This procedure is particularly relevant for technical users, photographers, professionals, and anyone who stores important images on their computer.

The theoretical concept behind recovering deleted photos is based on the fact that when a file is deleted, it is often not immediately overwritten. The space occupied by the file is simply marked as available for new information. As long as this space is not rewritten, it is possible to recover the files using specific software.

Timeliness is crucial. The more time passes and the more operations you perform on the disk, the greater the risk that the data will be overwritten and become irrecoverable. Therefore, it is essential to act quickly and follow the correct steps to maximize the chances of success.

Prerequisites

To recover deleted photos from your PC, you will need the following tools and requirements:

• A computer with Windows, macOS, or Linux operating system
• An external storage unit, a USB flash drive, or another medium different from the source to save the recovered photos
• Internet connection to download the recovery software
• Data recovery software such as PhotoRec or Disk Drill

How to Recover Deleted Photos from Your PC for Free

Follow this step-by-step procedure to attempt to recover deleted photos from your PC using PhotoRec, a free and open-source software.

• Go to the program's website.
• Locate the TestDisk & PhotoRec [version number] [(release date)], Data Recovery section.
• Select the link corresponding to the operating system installed on the PC.
• Once downloaded, if you are using Windows, open the ZIP file you just downloaded.
• Extract all items into a folder of your choice.
• Launch the qphotorecwin.exe file contained within.
• In the PhotoRec window, use the dropdown menu at the top to indicate the disk on which the photos you want to recover were stored.
• If you need to search within a disk image, choose from the same menu the option Add a raw disk image.
• Select the main partition of the unit.
• Specify the type of file system used, choosing between FAT/NTFS/HFS+/ReiserFS/ and ext2/ext3/ext4 file system.
• Indicate the area to be analyzed by selecting the option Free: search for documents only in unallocated space, if you want to search for deleted items only in available space, or that Complete: extract documents from the entire partition, to extend the scan to the entire partition.
• Click on the File Formats button to determine which types of items to search for.
• In the new window displayed, click the Reset button to reset the default selection.
• Choose only the formats related to the images you are interested in recovering.
• Confirm your preferences by clicking the OK button.
• Click the Browse button and indicate the location where you want to store the potentially restored photos, preferably choosing a unit different from the one you are analyzing.
• Start the search by clicking the Search button.
• Wait for PhotoRec to complete the operation. The images found will be automatically saved in the specified destination.

If you are using macOS, extract the contents of the TAR.BZ2 file obtained in a location of your choice, locate the photorec file, right-click on its icon, and select the Open option from the menu displayed.

• You will see a Terminal window appear.
• Use the right arrow key on the keyboard to move to the Sudo option.
• Confirm by pressing Enter and enter the Mac administrator password.
• Proceed by selecting the disk on which the deleted images were present.
• Specify the partition to examine and the file system used.
• Determine whether to limit the search to the space marked as free, or to perform a more thorough check of the entire unit.
• Indicate the folder in which you want to store the recovered photos.
• Press the C key on the Mac keyboard to start the scan.
• Once the operation is complete, you will find the recovered images in the location specified earlier.

Verification and Troubleshooting: How to Test if It Works and What to Do if It Fails

After following the steps to recover deleted photos, it is important to verify the effectiveness of the process and know how to act in case of problems.

Recovery Verification

• Check the destination: Verify that the recovered photos have been saved in the location specified during the recovery process.
• Open the files: Ensure that the images are opened correctly and are readable.
• Check integrity: Verify that the photos are not corrupted or damaged.

Troubleshooting

• No files found: If PhotoRec finds no files, it may be because the data has been overwritten. In this case, try using other recovery software such as Disk Drill.
• Corrupted files: If the recovered photos are damaged, try using image repair software.
• Interface problems: If you have difficulty with PhotoRec's interface, make sure to follow the steps described in the guide carefully.
• Compatibility issues: If you are using macOS and have problems with the command line, make sure you have administrator permissions and follow the instructions carefully.

If the problems persist, it may be helpful to consult specialized forums or search for additional online resources to solve specific data recovery problems.

At the end of this guide, you will have learned how to deal with the accidental deletion of important photos from your PC. You will have understood the importance of acting promptly and avoiding operations that could compromise data recovery.

You have discovered effective tools like PhotoRec, which allow you to recover deleted photos for free, both on Windows and macOS. Remember to use these programs on a unit different from the one containing the data to be recovered to maximize the chances of success.

Now that you know the fundamental steps, put what you have learned into practice. Do not let panic lead you to take reckless actions. Follow the procedures described and attempt to recover your deleted photos with confidence.

• Act promptly to avoid data overwriting.
• Use reliable software like PhotoRec.
• Save recovered files to a different unit.
• Stay calm and follow the steps carefully.

Good luck in recovering your photos!