How to Recover Deleted or Formatted Photos and Videos for Free

If you’ve ever accidentally deleted or formatted important photos or videos from your computer, pen drive, SD card, or any memory storage, this guide is for you. Fortunately, there are free data recovery solutions that can help you retrieve lost data quickly and easily. This article will introduce you to a free data recovery software that works well on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11, and even on PCs with low hardware specifications.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos

Step 1: Download the Data Recovery Software

To start recovering your deleted or formatted photos and videos, open Google and search for “Recuva Data Recovery.” Don’t get confused if you see other software like “CCleaner” listed on the page; just follow the steps outlined here.

  1. Scroll down the page until you see the comparison between the free and paid versions of Recuva Data Recovery.
  2. For most users, the free version will suffice as it offers basic data recovery. Click on the “Simply Free Download” option to proceed.
  3. A comparison table will appear, indicating what features are not available in the free version (e.g., updates, support, cleaning, virtual hard disk recovery). Ignore these if they aren’t essential for your needs.
  4. Click on “Download” to begin downloading Recuva Data Recovery.

Step 2: Install the Software

Once the software is downloaded, install it on your computer as you would with any other software.

Step 3: Select the File Type to Recover

After installation, open Recuva Data Recovery from the desktop icon. Click “Next” to begin the recovery process.

  1. You will be asked to select the type of file you want to recover, such as pictures, music, documents, or videos. If you select “All Files,” the recovery may take longer. For our example, we will choose “Video.”
  2. Click “Next” to proceed.

Step 4: Choose the Location of the Deleted Files

Next, select the location from where the files were deleted. You have several options:

  1. The entire computer (if you don’t know the exact location).
  2. Media card or iPad.
  3. Specific folders like “My Documents” or “Recycle Bin.”
  4. Directly specify the path where your files were located before deletion.

For instance, if the video was deleted from an SD card (e.g., F: drive), select that drive and click “OK.”

Step 5: Perform a Deep Scan (If Necessary)

After clicking “Next,” you will see an option for “Deep Scan.” A deep scan is useful for recovering older or more difficult-to-retrieve data. Only enable this if a normal scan does not find your files, as it can take significantly more time.

  1. Click “Start” to initiate the recovery process.
  2. If your files are recovered quickly, it means there was not much data to recover, or no new data was written over the deleted files.

Step 6: Recover the Files

Once the scan is complete, select the files you want to recover and choose a location to save them (e.g., your desktop). Make sure to select a different location from where the files were originally deleted to avoid overwriting data.

  1. After recovery, check if the files, like videos, are playing correctly.
  2. If you need to, perform a deep scan to ensure no other recoverable data is left behind.

Final Notes on Data Recovery

The deep scan process may take a long time, depending on the size and type of data being recovered. In some cases, it could take over 30 minutes or longer to scan thoroughly. However, the effort is worth it if the files are precious and irreplaceable.

By following this guide, you can effectively recover deleted or formatted photos and videos without paying for expensive software. Keep in mind that the success of the recovery depends on how soon you perform the recovery after deletion and whether new data has overwritten the deleted files.


By using free data recovery tools like Recuva, you can safeguard your important files and avoid losing valuable memories or crucial documents.

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Rakesh Bhardwaj

A professional Graphic Design, working in a multi-national company from past six years.

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