Hey, I get it—losing important files can be a nightmare. While @techchizkid laid out a solid guide for using Lazesoft, let me throw in a couple of additional pointers and some personal insights.
First, a minor correction: sometimes Lazesoft can indeed be slow, especially if you have a large drive. I sorta disagree that it always has a stellar success rate with fragmented files. In those cases, you might find yourself frustrated.
Before diving into Lazesoft, have you considered using Time Machine? If you were fortunate enough to have it running before the files got zapped, restoring from there could be the simplest (and quickest) fix. Just navigate to your Time Machine backups, find the moment before you deleted the files, and bring them back. Saves you the whole scanning process altogether.
Assuming Time Machine’s off the table:
Another noteworthy option, as mentioned, is Disk Drill. Contrary to Lazesoft’s modest interface, Disk Drill packs a punch with a more refined design and speedy operation. You can grab it from here. Install it, hit up that clean interface, and you might just find yourself preferring it even in the long run.
Things to note with Disk Drill:
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Installation and Launch: Super intuitive. No rocket science here.
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Choose Recovery Method: You’ll find several recovery options, such as “Undelete Protected Data” and “Quick Scan.” It’s best to start with a quick scan and then if needed move to a deeper one.
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Progress Tracking: Disk Drill’s UI not only looks better but also lets you monitor the progress smoothly. No endless waiting without knowing where it’s headed.
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Preview Capability: Like Lazesoft, Disk Drill allows you to preview files, but I found this feature more stable and reliable here. The interface just feels more natural when you’re skimming through images, docs, or other files.
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Final Recovery: Straightforward process but watch out for the storage space requirements. Just like Lazesoft, ensure the recovered data is saved in a separate location to sidestep any overwriting chaos.
Oh, and don’t overlook Disk Drill’s nifty ‘Guaranteed Recovery’ tool if you enable it pre-disaster. It’s been a savior for many.
I do say Disk Drill might feel heavy on system resources, particularly during exhaustive scans, but it’s a little price to pay for comprehensive data recovery. Pricing can be a nuance, though. It’s not the cheapest tool in the shed, so if you’re wallet-conscious, factor that in.
For Lazesoft users who are struggling with the length of time it’s taking, if the scan seems like it’s dragging on forever, consider running it overnight. I know that’s a bit of a duh moment but sometimes you’ve gotta let the machine do its thing without hovering.
If Lazesoft or Disk Drill doesn’t cut it, diversify slightly by exploring Recoverit or Data Rescue. Both are well-regarded in the recovery community, though from my experience they often tread the same water as the previous two. Interface-wise, they’re a bit less polished compared to Disk Drill but serviceable for the most part.
Final tidbit: no matter the tool, acting fast is golden. The longer you hammer away at your Mac, the higher the chance of new data overwriting those lost files. So, take action promptly but be methodical about it.
Good luck and fingers crossed you get those files back!