Have you ever accidentally deleted an important file on your Windows 10 computer? Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to recover lost files on your Windows 10 system. Whether you’re a tech newbie or an advanced user, we’ve got the solutions you need to get your files back. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started!
Understanding the General Syntax
To begin the recovery process, it’s essential to understand the general syntax used in Windows 10. Let’s break it down:
Source-drive:
This parameter specifies the storage device where the files were lost. Make sure it’s different from the destination-drive.
Destination-drive:
This parameter allows you to specify the storage device and folder where you want to put the recovered files. Again, it must be different from the source-drive.
/regular:
The regular mode is the standard recovery option for non-corrupted NTFS drives. It is suitable for most cases.
/extensive:
The extensive mode is a thorough recovery option suitable for all file systems. If the regular mode doesn’t yield the desired results, this option is worth trying.
/n<filter>:
This switch is used to scan for specific files by utilizing file names, paths, types, or wildcards. For example:
- File name:
/n myfile.docx - File path:
/n /users/<username>/Documents/ - Wildcard:
/n myfile.* - Wildcard:
/n *.docx - Wildcard:
/n *<string>*
/?:
This switch provides a summary of syntax and switches for general users. It’s a helpful reference if you need a quick reminder.
/!:
This switch provides a summary of syntax and switches for advanced users. If you’re an experienced user, this information will come in handy.
Mastering the Advanced Syntax
Now that we have covered the general syntax, let’s dive into the advanced switches:
/ntfs:
NTFS mode is a fast recovery option for healthy NTFS drives that uses the master file table. It’s excellent for quick file retrieval.
/segment:
Segment mode is a recovery option for NTFS drives that utilizes file record segments. If the NTFS mode doesn’t work, give this a try.
/signature:
Signature mode is a recovery option for all file system types using file headers. It’s a powerful tool for retrieving various file types.
/y:<type(s)>:
This switch allows you to recover specific extension groups. Simply input the desired extensions separated by commas.
/#:
This switch displays the extension groups and supported file types in signature mode. It’s useful for understanding which file types you can recover.
/p:<folder>:
If you want to save a log file of the recovery operation in a different location than the default, use this switch. For example: /p:D:logfile
/a:
The /a switch overrides user prompts and is particularly useful in script files. It allows for a seamless recovery process.
/u:
This switch enables the recovery of undeleted files, such as those in the Recycle Bin. It’s handy when you need to retrieve accidentally deleted files.
/k:
If you need to recover system files, use this switch. It specifically targets system-related files for a comprehensive recovery process.
/o:<a|n|b>:
This switch determines whether to always (a), never (n), or keep both always (b) when choosing whether to overwrite a file. The default action is to prompt to overwrite.
/g:
In some cases, files may not have primary data streams. Use this switch to recover those files successfully.
/e:
To focus on user files and make results more manageable, some file types are filtered by default. However, this switch removes that filter. Refer to the information below for a complete list of these file types.
/e:<extension>:
This switch allows you to specify which file types to filter. You can choose which extensions to exclude from the recovery process.
/s:<sectors>:
Use this switch to specify the number of sectors on the source device. For sector information, utilize the fsutil command.
/b:<bytes>:
This switch lets you specify the cluster size (allocation unit) on the source device. Tailoring this parameter can yield better results.
File Extension Filter List
By default, Windows 10 filters certain file types from the recovery results. If you want to disable this filter or specify additional file types not to filter, refer to the list below:
_, adm, admx, appx, appx, ascx, asm, aspx, aux, ax, bin, browser, c, cab, cat cdf-ms, catalogItem, cdxm, cmake, cmd, coffee, config, cp, cpp, cs, cshtm, css, cur, dat, dll, et, evtx, exe, fon, gpd, h, hbakedcurve, htm, htm, ico, id, ildl, ilpdb, iltoc, iltocpdb, in, inf, inf_loc, ini, js, json, lib, lnk, log, man, manifest, map, metadata, mf, mof, msc, msi, mui, mui, mum, mun, nls, npmignore, nupkg, nuspec, obj, p7s, p7x, pak, pckdep, pdb, pf, pkgdef, plist, pnf, pp, pri, props, ps1, ps1xm, psd1, psm1, py, resjson, resw, resx, rl, rs, sha512, snippet, sq, sys, t4, targets, th, tlb, tmSnippet, toc, ts, tt, ttf, vb, vbhtm, vbs, vsdir, vsix, vsixlangpack, vsixmanifest, vstdir, vstemplate, vstman, winmd, xam, xbf, xm, xrm-ms, xs, xsd, ym
Remember, with the right knowledge and tools, you can recover lost files on your Windows 10 system like a pro. So, keep calm and let your software be your savior!
For more information about data recovery and other software solutions, visit Software – your one-stop destination for all your tech needs.
Now go ahead and retrieve those precious files!