Recovering Deleted Files?

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Hey there

I had a folder on my Desktop called "Items" and for some reason it suddenly disappeared. I may have accidentally deleted it but I am not quite certain. It used to be there until a couple of days ago. It has all my university notes and such on it and it's crucial for me at this stage since I am hopefully graduating in a couple of days and I need it for some final examinations and essays.

I have no idea how it disappeared and I've been searching for ways on how to recover lost/deleted files to no avail - most, if not all, of the Data Recovery applications are paid-for and I cannot find anything that is free!

Can anyone please help me? Thank you.
 
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Tarek
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I used the free version of an application called Disk Drill and I found the files I was looking for, but of course I cannot actually 'recover' them except by paying. Does that mean the only option I have right now is to buy the app?
 

IWT


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Hi Tarek

As the Folder had all your University notes and so on—in other words, critical, you must have had a backup?? Time Machine for example? So easy to recover from there or similar.

If not, then I fear it's pay out time. Sorry.

And the message is: for a few dollars (much less than you're going to pay out for recovery software) you can get an External HD and backup. Time Machine is probably easiest in your situation.

Ian
 

chscag

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I used the free version of an application called Disk Drill and I found the files I was looking for, but of course I cannot actually 'recover' them except by paying. Does that mean the only option I have right now is to buy the app?

Unfortunately, Tarek, all the data recovery programs that are worthwhile have a demo that will show you what can be undeleted. However, you have to buy the app before it will do the recovery. There are several good free recovery programs for Windows, but none that are any good for the Mac - at least that I know of. Maybe someone else can help.
 
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Very simple.....
If a file is deleted, recover it from the trash.
If it is no longer in the trash, restore it from a backup.
All the rest is .... well ..... guesswork and dreams.

It seems there is never time to do it right, but there is always time to do it over.

Cheers ... McBie
 
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Trust you have been backing up regularly?
 

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Looks like you will have to pay. If Disk Drill found it at least you can be reasonably confident it can be retrieved.
Have you checked that the files/folder is not in the Trash? Unless you regularly empty the Trash it should still be there. You can just drag it back onto the desktop.
I know we all go on and on about backups but a couple of points:
Dont keep important documents/folders on the Desktop. It may be convenient but it's very unsafe as you have discovered.
Even a $20 8Gb thumb drive will provide backup for really important files and a handy transfer device.

I know this is "closing the gate after the horse has bolted", good luck with your exams
 

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I totally agree Rod.

And for those who really can't afford a USB or an EHD, there's the free Dropbox. I know there is a limit (5GB I think), that's still a lot of text, files, charts and the like. And they're accessible from any computer.

Ian
 
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