Recover My Files 3.80 - User Guide and FAQ

A Quick Start Guide For Using Recover My Files

Step 1 - Select the Type of Search

When you run Recover My Files, a wizard screen will open and present you with four search options;

1. 'Fast File Search'

2. 'Complete File Search'

3. 'Fast Format Recover'

4. 'Complete Format Recover'

Wizard Screen 1 - Selecting the type of search

Step 2 - Select the Drive To Search

The next wizard screen performs a scan to identify the devices (hard drives, digital camera, USB drive etc) that are connected to your computer. Select the device you wish to search by using your mouse to place a green tick in the box next to the device name.

Wizard Screen 2 - Selecting the device to search

The "Folders to Search" option allows you to add existing folders into your search. Doing this will allow you to search the 'active' files on you disk (i.e. those that are not deleted). You may wish to do this in order to search for temporary files created by programs such as Microsoft Word. To remove a folder from this list, double click on it.

Step 3 - Select File Types to Search

The next wizard screen asks you to select the "File Types" that you are trying to recover. Select a file type by using your mouse to place a green tick in the box next to it.

WARNING: The number of file types selected will directly impact the speed of the search. We suggest you select between 1 and 10 files. MP3 and Text files are the slowest. Conduct a separate search for these files.

In the results screen files found will be sorted by file type selections that you have made here. All other files types located will be shown in the results screen as in the "other files" folder.

Wizard Screen 3 - Selecting the Specific File Types for which to Search.

Step 4 - Run the Search

When the 'start' button is pressed the search is commenced. Note that a "Complete Search" and a "Format Recover" may take a number of hours as it is a scan of your entire storage media.

It is possible to preview the search results whilst the search is in progress. Move the progress box out of the way and access the search results screen behind it.

Running the Search

Step 5 - The Results Screen

The results screen consists of four windows.

1. File Type and Folder View window (top left)

2. File Details Window (top right)

3. File Properties Windows (bottom left)

4. Preview Window (bottom right)

The Results Screen

Step 6 - Save Recovered Files

Recover My Files must be registered in order to save files.

Frequently Asked Questions - Recover My Files

1. Q. If I purchase a registration key how long will it take to be sent to me?
   A. When you purchase on-line your registration key is provided in web page at the end of the purchase process. It is also then sent to you by email. However, if there is a delay in your credit card provider authorizing the transaction, your registration details will only be sent to you by email and only after credit card validation has taken place. For further purchase information, visit our Customer Care Center.
   
   
2. Q. Can Recover My Files recover files from a CD?
   A. Recover My Files will recognize a limited number of CD file formats. If you get a message stating "Recover My Files does not recognize the file system on Drive D:\" then it will not work. You need to search the Internet for CD recovery software.
   
   
3. Q. Does Recover My Files work on a RAID system?
   If your RAID system is functional, then Recover My Files will work. We recommend you search the logical RAID drive (e.g.: drive C:).
   If your RAID system is not functional and you are running a Mirror, then Recover My Files will recover files from either of the hard drives.
   If your RAID system is not functional and you are using a Striping RAID, then you will not be able to recover files (as a single file is written to two or more physical hard drives). We suggest you search the Internet for a specialized RAID repair tool.
   
   
4. Q. When performing a Complete Search, Recover My Files takes a long time. How do I speed up the search?
   A. You can speed up the search by reducing the number of file types that Recover My Files is searching for. This can be done either at the start of the search when selecting the file types or during the search by selecting the "Options" button. You can also preview the recovered files as the search takes place. If you have located the file you wish to retrieve, simply stop the search, select the file (by placing a tick in the box) and save the file.
   
   
5. Q. The preview window says "Preview not available for this file type". Can I still recover this file?
   A. Yes, it is still possible that the file may be recovered. The reason why a recovered file may not preview is Recover My Files does not yet have the ability to preview the contents for that file type. One option you have is to go to the "Options" button, select the "General" tab and turn on the "Show unknown file types in Hex view". This will allow you to see the "raw" binary contents of any unknown file type.
   
   
6. Q. Is it always possible to recover files emptied from the Windows Recycle Bin?
   A. Not always. When you empty a file from the Windows Recycle Bin, the contents of the file remain on your hard drive. Windows makes the space occupied by the deleted file available for use. If a new file is saved to the same area of the hard drive, it will overwrite the deleted files contents, permanently erasing it. This is why we recommend that you limit the use of your hard drive from which the file needs to be recovered.