How to retrieve corrupted files​?

Retrieving corrupted files can be a challenging task, but it is not always impossible. Whether the files are documents, images, videos, or even system files, there are various methods and tools you can use to recover the data.

File corruption occurs when a file’s data becomes damaged or unreadable. It can happen for various reasons, such as software crashes, hardware failures, file system issues, or even viruses. When a file is corrupted, you may encounter errors like an inability to open the file, data loss, or strange characters appearing within the file. Fortunately, depending on the extent of the corruption, there are multiple ways to recover the data.

Common Causes of File Corruption

Before diving into recovery methods, it’s important to understand why files become corrupted. This knowledge can help you prevent future corruption and choose the right method for recovery.

Software Errors: Bugs or glitches in software programs can cause files to become corrupted during saving or transferring. Sometimes, an application may freeze during the saving process, leading to incomplete or corrupted data.

Power Outages: If your computer loses power suddenly, especially during a file write operation, files may not save properly, leading to corruption.

Hard Drive Failures: Mechanical or electrical issues with your hard drive can lead to file corruption. Bad sectors or failing read/write heads may cause damage to the file data, rendering it unreadable.

File System Issues: The file system, which organizes and manages files on a storage device, may become corrupted due to improper shutdowns, system crashes, or bad sectors on the drive.

Virus and Malware: Malicious software can infect your files, corrupting them or even rendering them unreadable.

Improper File Transfers: Interruptions during file transfer, such as disconnecting the storage device or network failures, can cause files to become corrupted.

Overwritten Files: If a file is accidentally overwritten by another file, the original file can become corrupted or lost.

Methods for Retrieving Corrupted Files

Once a file is corrupted, the recovery process may vary depending on the type of file, the cause of corruption, and the extent of the damage. Below are various methods you can try to recover your files.

1. Try to Open the File with a Different Program

Sometimes, a file may appear corrupted due to issues with the software that you are using to open it. If you are unable to open a file with one application, try using a different program that supports the file type. For example:

For a corrupted document file (.docx), you could try opening it with Google Docs or LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Word.

For image files (.jpg, .png), you can try using a different image viewer such as IrfanView or XnView.

For video files, you can use media players like VLC, which often have the ability to play damaged or incomplete files.

Opening the file with another application may help you access at least part of the data and allow you to save it in a different format.

2. Use Built-in Recovery Tools

Operating systems often come with built-in recovery tools that can fix some types of file corruption. These tools may help repair the file system and recover corrupted files.

On Windows:

Check Disk Utility: This built-in tool scans and fixes issues with your hard drive, including bad sectors. To run Check Disk, follow these steps:

Open “This PC” and right-click on the drive where the corrupted file is stored.

Select “Properties” and go to the “Tools” tab.

Click on “Check” under the “Error Checking” section.

If the tool finds errors, allow it to fix them.

Windows File Recovery Tool: Windows 10 and later come with the “Windows File Recovery” tool, which can help retrieve deleted or corrupted files. The tool can be run from the Command Prompt and may recover files even if they are partially corrupted.

On macOS:

Disk Utility: macOS includes Disk Utility, which can repair file system errors. To use it, follow these steps:

Open “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Disk Utility.”

Select the corrupted disk or partition and click on “First Aid.”

Allow the tool to check and repair the disk.

3. Try File Repair Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery tool designed to help users retrieve corrupted files with ease. Whether you’ve encountered issues with documents, photos, videos, or any other type of file, Panda Assistant offers a reliable solution for restoring your valuable data.

When files become corrupted due to unexpected shutdowns, hardware failures, or system crashes, Panda Assistant can efficiently scan your storage devices and recover the damaged files. The software uses advanced algorithms to identify and fix file corruption, allowing you to regain access to files that were once inaccessible. Its user-friendly interface makes the process straightforward, ensuring that even beginners can restore their corrupted data with minimal effort.

4. Use Backup Files or Previous Versions

If you regularly back up your files or if your operating system has automatic backup features enabled, you may be able to restore an earlier version of the corrupted file.

For Windows:

Right-click the corrupted file and select “Restore previous versions.”

Choose a backup version of the file from a date before the corruption occurred and click “Restore.”

For macOS:

Use Time Machine, if enabled, to restore a previous version of the file. You can access Time Machine by clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar or by opening “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Time Machine.”

If the file was part of a cloud storage service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, you may also be able to retrieve an earlier version directly from the service.

5. Check for File Fragmentation

Sometimes, file corruption can occur if the file is fragmented across the hard drive. Fragmentation occurs when parts of the file are stored in non-contiguous sectors on the disk, which can cause issues with file retrieval.

To fix fragmentation issues:

Windows: Use the built-in defragmentation tool. Open “This PC,” right-click on the hard drive, select “Properties,” go to the “Tools” tab, and click “Optimize.”

macOS: Mac systems generally don’t require manual defragmentation because macOS automatically manages file fragmentation.

After defragmenting the drive, try opening the corrupted file again.

6. Recover Using a Professional Data Recovery Service

If the above methods don’t work, it may be necessary to use a professional data recovery service. These services have specialized equipment and expertise to retrieve data from damaged drives or corrupted files. Data recovery specialists can often retrieve files that are not accessible through software tools.

Before sending your drive to a data recovery service, ensure that the service has a good reputation and offers a “no data, no fee” policy. Popular data recovery services include:

Drive Savers

Ontrack Data Recovery

Seagate Recovery Services

iDrive Recovery

7. Preventing File Corruption in the Future

Once you’ve successfully retrieved your corrupted files, it’s important to take measures to prevent future corruption. Here are a few tips to safeguard your files:

Regular Backups: Always back up your important files. Use cloud storage or external hard drives to maintain backups.

Avoid Sudden Power Losses: Use a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect your computer from power outages.

Use Antivirus Software: Keep your system secure by using reliable antivirus software to protect against viruses and malware.

Proper Shutdowns: Always shut down your computer properly to avoid file system corruption.

Maintain Your Hardware: Regularly check your hard drives for health and replace any failing components.

Update Software: Ensure your applications and operating system are up-to-date to avoid bugs and software glitches that could cause file corruption.