Did you accidentally delete an important video? You are afraid that the video is completely lost? Don't give up just yet if this happens, you can get your videos back in just a few minutes by using one of the free data recovery programs and a bit of luck.
Step
Step 1. Check the Recycle Bin or Trash
The Recycle Bin (Trash for Mac OS X users) stores files that you delete before they are permanently lost. This allows you to restore files that you delete if you want them back or if you delete them by mistake. To be able to restore videos from the Recycle Bin, open the Recycle Bin on the desktop, right-click on the video file you want, select Restore to restore the video to where the video came from.
- Large files may not go to the Recycle Bin and disappear immediately. If this happens, you will need the help of a computer program to recover the file.
- If you're using an iPod or iPhone and want to recover your deleted videos, see step 4.
Step 2. Check cloud storage
If you're using an Apple or Google phone, there's a good chance that your videos already have backups in your cloud storage. If you're using a Google device, check out Google+ Videos, as newer devices will automatically back up files to your Google+ account. If you're using an iPhone or iPod, check out iTunes Videos. Your videos may already be synced and you can move them back to your device.
Step 3. Stop accessing your device
If you can't find your video on your computer, don't save the new file or delete the others. By doing this, you are more likely to be able to recover deleted videos. This is because when a file is deleted from the computer, it is set to be overwritten by new data. If no new data is saved, deleted files will not be overwritten by new data and can usually be recovered.
Step 4. Download a data recovery program
Make sure you don't save the program on the device where you're recovering the deleted video so that the video doesn't overwrite the new data. To be safe, download a data recovery program on a different computer and then save it on another storage media. Data recovery programs can recover data from hard disks, USBs, SD cards, iPods and other portable devices. Here are some frequently used free programs:
- Recuva
- FreeUdelete
- ADRC Data Recovery
- Data Rescue (OS X)
- FileSalvage (OS X)
- Get a portable version of the program if possible. This will allow you to run the program without having to install it on the computer where the deleted video was. Not all programs are available in portable versions.
- If you want to recover videos from a portable device, pendrive or SD card, you don't need to use the portable version of the program and you can use your Computer without any worries. Download and install a data recovery program on your computer.
Step 5. Connect your device to the computer (if needed)
If you want to recover videos from Camera or iPod, connect it to the computer using a USB cable. You must set your iPod to DFU mode for data recovery programs to access it. For SD cards, you must use an SD Card reader or connector for the computer to access them.
Step 6. Run the data recovery program
Each program has a different procedure, but the basic procedure is the same. If you are using the portable version of the program, you will be asked to specify where the recovered video is stored. To maximize recovery, you should choose a different storage location from where the video you want to recover came from.
Step 7. Decide what you are looking for
Locate the disc, drive, or device where the video you want to recover is from. Most data recovery programs ask you to specify what files you want to recover, so set a video format (if possible) to speed up the search. You can also enter a video title. Apart from that, you can also get a list of all recoverable files for you to choose from.
Some programs give you the option to perform a more detailed search or what is known as a deep scan to find files. This will take more time but result in more recoverable files
Step 8. Find the video you want
When you get the search results, look through the list of recoverable files to find the video you want. Each program has a different way of recovering files, but in general you just need to select the files you want and click the "Restore" option.
- Not all videos can be recovered 100%. This is because a file is usually stored in multiple sections on your hard drive, and it's possible that one part of the file has been overwritten by another.
- Some programs restore videos to where they were saved, and others restore them to a directory you specify.
