Search for files using one of two methods. If you know names of deleted files or folders, skip down to the next method below.
If you do not know names of deleted files or folders, scan drive or folder locations using these steps:
If you know the name or part of the name of the deleted files or folders, create a search pattern, similar to a search in Microsoft DOS or Windows.
The asterisk or star symbol (*) is used as a wild-card character. The search engine looks for the file name, replacing the star with any number of characters.
The question mark symbol (?) is used to replace a single variable character. The search engine looks for the file name and replaces the question mark with another single character.
| Example | Search Results |
|---|---|
| * | - All named files and folders |
| *.TXT | - All files with the suffix "TXT" |
| My*.* | - All files starting with "My" |
| My p????. | - All files starting with "My p" text, having eight characters in the file name and no suffix or extension |
| MyFile.txt | - Only the file named "MyFile.txt" will be displayed, if found |
Use the following steps to search for files by name:
Use the above procedure to identify deleted files. Identified files may or may not be recoverable. Use the procedures below to inspect the content of files and folders to see if the data is worth recovering.
Checking an Identified File Deleted files and folders are marked with a box icon to the left of the file name.
If the file's content can be viewed, similar to above example, the file is recoverable.
If an error message is displayed, data in the file is corrupted and the file is not recoverable.
Checking an Identified Folder Check for a folder's recover-ability in a way similar to the file check procedure:
Once a deleted file is located, do not write or save any files to this drive. The process of writing or saving data onto a drive might damage the header portion of deleted files or folders. If the header is damaged or overwritten, the file is unrecoverable.
