Restore data from sd card free​

We will explore different free software options and their features, along with step – by – step instructions to help users successfully recover their precious data.

1. SD cards

SD cards are widely used in various devices such as cameras, smartphones, and tablets to store photos, videos, documents, and other important data. However, data loss from SD cards can occur due to many reasons, including accidental deletion, formatting the card by mistake, virus attacks, physical damage to the card, or improper ejection. Fortunately, there are several free methods and tools available that can help in restoring the lost data.

2. Causes of Data Loss from SD Cards

Accidental Deletion: This is a common occurrence, especially when users are managing files on the SD card and accidentally delete important ones. For example, deleting photos from a camera’s SD card by mistake.

Formatting: Formatting the SD card can be done accidentally or when the card appears to be corrupted and the user tries to fix it by formatting. This erases all the data on the card.

Virus or Malware Attacks: Viruses and malware can infect the SD card, causing data corruption or deletion. They may also prevent the card from being properly recognized by the device.

Physical Damage: Dropping the SD card, exposing it to water, or other physical traumas can damage the card’s internal components, leading to data loss.

Improper Ejection: Removing the SD card from a device without properly ejecting it first can cause file system errors and data loss.

3. Free Tools for SD Card Data Recovery

Panda Assistant offers a free version that allows you to restore data from an SD card, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for users looking to recover lost or deleted files. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important photos, videos, or documents from your SD card or experienced data corruption, Panda Assistant can help you retrieve those files with ease.

Free Download and Installation: Panda Assistant is available for free download on both Windows and Mac systems. This enables users to access the data recovery tool without any upfront costs. Simply download the software from the official Panda website, and install it on your computer.

Scanning for Deleted Files: After installing Panda Assistant, you can connect your SD card to the computer using a card reader. The software will allow you to select the SD card as the target drive for recovery. Once selected, Panda Assistant will initiate a deep scan of the SD card to detect all recoverable files, even those that have been permanently deleted or lost due to formatting.

Preview Recoverable Files: One of the key features of Panda Assistant is its ability to show users a preview of the files that can be recovered. After the scanning process is complete, you will be able to see a list of recoverable data, including photos, videos, and documents. You can preview these files to verify they are the ones you want to recover.

4. Steps to Restore Data from SD Card using Recuva

Step 1: Download and Install Recuva

Go to the official Recuva website (https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva) and download the free version of the software.

Run the installer and follow the on – screen instructions to install Recuva on your computer.

Step 2: Insert the SD Card into the Computer

Use an SD card reader to connect the SD card to your computer. Make sure the card is properly inserted into the reader and the reader is connected to the computer’s USB port.

Step 3: Launch Recuva and Select the SD Card

Open Recuva. It will automatically detect the connected SD card. Select the SD card from the list of available drives.

Step 4: Select the File Types to Recover

You can choose to recover all file types or select specific ones such as photos, videos, documents, etc. depending on your needs. This helps to speed up the scanning process.

Step 5: Start the Scanning Process

Click the “Scan” button to start scanning the SD card for lost files. The scanning process may take some time depending on the size of the SD card and the amount of data on it.

Step 6: Preview and Select the Files to Restore

Once the scan is complete, Recuva will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview the files by double – clicking on them. Select the files you want to restore by checking the boxes next to them.

Step 7: Restore the Selected Files

Click the “Recover” button and choose a location on your computer to save the restored files. Do not save the files back to the SD card to avoid overwriting the existing data.

5. Steps to Restore Data from SD Card using PhotoRec

Step 1: Download and Install PhotoRec

Visit the official PhotoRec website (https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec) and download the appropriate version for your operating system.

Extract the downloaded file and run the PhotoRec application.

Step 2: Insert the SD Card into the Computer

Connect the SD card to your computer using an SD card reader as described earlier.

Step 3: Select the Storage Media and File Systems

In PhotoRec, select the SD card as the source device. You can also choose the file systems you want to scan. PhotoRec supports several file systems such as FAT, NTFS, exFAT, etc.

Step 4: Select the Output Directory

Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the recovered files. This should be a different location from the SD card to prevent overwriting.

Step 5: Start the Recovery Process

Click the “Search” button to start the data recovery process. PhotoRec will scan the SD card and attempt to recover all the lost files. The process may take a while, especially for large – capacity SD cards.

Step 6: View and Organize the Recovered Files

Once the recovery is complete, you can view the recovered files in the output directory. PhotoRec will organize the files into different folders based on their file types.

6. Steps to Restore Data from SD Card using Disk Drill

Step 1: Download and Install Disk Drill

Go to the official Disk Drill website (https://diskdrillrecovery.com/) and download the free version of the software.

Install Disk Drill on your computer by following the installation wizard.

Step 2: Connect the SD Card to the Computer

Insert the SD card into an SD card reader and connect it to the computer’s USB port.

Step 3: Open Disk Drill and Select the SD Card

Launch Disk Drill. It will detect the connected SD card. Select the SD card from the list of available drives.

Step 4: Start the Scan

Click the “Search for Lost Data” button to start scanning the SD card for lost files. Disk Drill will display a progress bar showing the scanning progress.

Step 5: Preview and Select Files to Restore

After the scan is complete, you can preview the recoverable files in Disk Drill. It allows you to view photos, videos, and other file types. Select the files you want to recover.

Step 6: Restore the Selected Files

Click the “Recover” button and choose a destination folder on your computer to save the restored files. Make sure not to save them back to the SD card.

7. Steps to Restore Data from SD Card using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free

Step 1: Download and Install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free

Visit the official EaseUS website (https://www.easeus.com/data – recovery – wizard/) and download the free version of the software.

Install the software on your computer by following the setup instructions.

Step 2: Connect the SD Card to the Computer

Insert the SD card into a card reader and connect it to the computer.

Step 3: Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free and Select the SD Card

Open the software and select the SD card from the list of available drives.

Step 4: Select the Recovery Mode

EaseUS offers different recovery modes such as “Deleted File Recovery”, “Formatted Disk Recovery”, and “Raw Recovery”. Choose the appropriate mode based on your data loss situation.

Step 5: Start the Scanning Process

Click the “Scan” button to start scanning the SD card for lost data. The software will display the scanning progress.

Step 6: Preview and Recover the Files

Once the scan is complete, you can preview the recoverable files. Select the files you want to restore and click the “Recover” button. Choose a location on your computer to save the recovered files.

8. Precautions during Data Recovery

Do not use the SD card immediately after data loss: Using the card may overwrite the lost data, making it harder or impossible to recover.

Use a reliable SD card reader: A faulty card reader can cause problems during the data recovery process. Make sure to use a high – quality, working card reader.

Save the recovered files to a different location: As mentioned earlier, do not save the recovered files back to the SD card to avoid overwriting.

Handle the SD card carefully: Avoid physical damage to the card during the recovery process. Do not bend, drop, or expose it to moisture or magnetic fields.