How do I use Recuva to recover deleted files?

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Recuva is a Windows file recovery tool that can help you restore deleted files when they haven’t been overwritten yet. To get the best results, stop using the drive immediately after deletion and avoid installing new software or saving new files to the same location. Recuva can scan for deleted files and then let you preview and restore them to a safe folder. Below is a practical step-by-step workflow you can follow to recover documents, photos, and other file types.Before you start (important for success)Stop writing to the drive where the files were deleted (don’t download, install, or move files there).Recover to a different drive (e.g., recover from C: to an external drive or another partition).If the deleted files were on a USB drive or SD card, keep it connected and don’t format it.Step-by-step: Use Recuva1) Install and open RecuvaDownload and install Recuva, then launch it. When it opens, you’ll typically see a wizard or main interface that guides you through the scan.2) Choose the file locationRecuva works best when you scan the correct location. Select the drive or folder where the files were originally stored. If you’re not sure, you can choose the broader drive, but it may take longer.3) Select the file type (optional but recommended)If you know what you’re recovering (for example, photos or documents), choose the corresponding file type filter. This reduces noise and can improve scan speed and accuracy.4) Run the scanStart the scan. Recuva will search for recoverable items. After the scan finishes, you’ll see a list of files with a recovery status (commonly indicating how likely recovery is).5) Preview files (when available)If Recuva offers preview, use it to confirm the file is the one you need. Preview is especially helpful for images and some document types.6) Restore the files safelySelect the files you want, then click Recover. Choose a destination folder on a different drive/partition than the one you scanned. This prevents overwriting and helps preserve remaining recoverable data.Recommended scan strategy (quick decision guide)Deleted recently: Use a standard scan first.Long time ago / uncertain: Consider a deeper or more thorough scan option if Recuva provides it.Many results: Filter by file type and narrow the folder/drive selection.Common problems and fixes“Files can’t be recovered”They may have been overwritten by new data.The drive may have been formatted.Try a different scan mode (if available) and ensure you’re recovering to a different location.“Recovered files are corrupted”Recovery may be partial; try recovering again with a different scan option.Recover fewer files at a time and ensure the destination drive has enough free space.Mini checklist (best practice)Stop using the drive immediately.Scan the correct location.Filter by file type when possible.Preview before restoring.Recover to a different drive.If you want a guided walkthrough, use the setup and usage information from [1] first, then follow the steps above to perform your scan and recovery.

How do I use Recuva to recover deleted files?

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