Accidentally deleting files is one of the most frequent and frustrating mistakes we can make as users, but in most cases the Recycle Bin saves us. Now, if data loss occurs for another reason, we are forced to rely on external tools for even a minimal chance of recovery. Microsoft seems to have recognized that gap, and it has published a new official application in its store called Windows File Recovery. It works from the console, there is no graphical interface, and we need to study its commands closely.
In the late '80s and early '90s, MS-DOS ruled the world. Windows was just an “operating environment”, and almost all operations had to go through that black screen with its blinking cursor. However, that simple and minimalist space didn't spare us from certain errors and problems. File loss was one of the most traumatic, and starting with MS-DOS 5, Microsoft offered the Undelete tool, with quite limited effectiveness.
The transition from MS-DOS to Windows continued, but Microsoft never really followed up on its deleted-file recovery efforts, and that responsibility fell to third-party tools. But that's about to change with Windows 10 2004 (note here) and the new Windows File Recovery app. Its name says it all: if you need to recover deleted files in Windows 10, you should start with it.
How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10
Windows File Recovery is not a casual tool. In fact, it doesn't even have a graphical interface, and it works directly on the system console. Another detail to keep in mind is that despite working as a Win32 application, it is available through the Windows Store. Another restriction is that it cannot restore files “on the same drive letter”: the source of the deleted files and the destination of their recovery must be different.
The central command is “winfr”, followed by the path to both drives and all its modifiers. For example, imagine you have lost all your JPG and PNG photos from the “Pictures” folder in your Windows 10 user profile. The complete command to try to recover them and save copies to drive “E” is:
winfr C: E: /n \Usuarios\<tunombredeusuario>\Imágenes\*.JPG /n \Usuarios\<tunombredeusuario>\Imágenes\*.PNG
Each /n is equivalent to a filter, but if the plan is to perform a global recovery on the whole drive, it's more convenient to use the /y modifier, which allows specifying groups of extensions. In that case:
winfr C: E: /x /y:JPG,PNG
What is that /x? It's one of the advanced recovery modes. If a file was recently deleted on an NTFS drive, the default recovery should be enough. But if the file has been deleted for a while, the drive was formatted or appears corrupt, Microsoft's guidelines are to first try the Segment or /r mode, and then the Signature or /x mode. On the other hand, if the drive is FAT, exFAT or ReFS, it is recommended to go straight with Signature /x mode.
https://old.neoteo.com/como-recuperar-fotos-borradas-en-android/No, Windows File Recovery is not a development intended for beginners, at least for now. Maybe in the future Redmond will decide to create a “frontend” to make this tool more intuitive, but there are no details on that. And finally, the application is compatible with Windows 10 2004 or later. As a Windows 1903 user (and with no intention to move), I think Windows File Recovery needs to make its position more flexible.
Official site: Click here
