Data recovery from overwritten/replaced file

Hi,

I had a document file (expn.doc) on "My Documents" folder in Drive C under Windows XP Pro SP2. Some days later when i opened that file, i found that the contents of the file were missing. Actually this is now a blank document file. I remember that one of my friend's used my computer for two hours for his emergency work. May be he opened the file and accidentally delete the contents of the file and save. There is another chance for him that he made a document with the same name and replace mine. After his completion of work he might delete data from that file and lastly saved.

Now how could i get my data back ?

 

Difficult problem, but the sooner you attempt the recovery, the better chance you will have in being successful. Most importantly, before you start the actual retrieval process, and until you have completed it, do not save any files or run any software that saves to the hard drive or USB flash drive.

NOTE - Every file that you retrieve may simultaneously over-write and make un-recoverable one or more files that could otherwise have been recovered. To avoid this you should recover to a separate drive (e.g. an external USB connected drive.)

It is even more preferable to use a different P.C. to search for and download any recovery utilities, and they should be downloaded to a flash drive (or external USB drive) ready for use by your damaged system. An even better solution would be not to use the drive at all, but to remove it and add it as a slave to another P.C.

 

Here are some 3rd party recovery software suggestions for you. But before you use the links below, check to see if MajorGeeks has a link to them on this website. (Always safer to trust MajorGeeks!)

File Restore Professional from PC Recovery - the best file undelete software. There is also a reference on the website regarding it being used by Microsoft. You can download it here: www.pcrecovery.com/file-restore

Glary Undelete is an easy to use, yet powerful file undelete solution for FAT and NTFS file systems. It will bring back files emptied from the Recycle Bin, in a DOS window, from Windows Explorer with the SHIFT key held down. It will even recover files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses! (GlaryUtilities Undelete module - Try "other builds" - the bottom link of the three - Glary Utilities)

Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File Recovery - Home - http://www.recuva.com/ Recuva is a utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses!

DiskDigger | The trusted data recovery solution

 

There's an outside chance that a System Restore might bring your file back.