How to Retrieve Deleted Photos on Various Devices?

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Are you worried because you accidentally deleted your important photos? Don’t worry! This article will help you recover your deleted photos from different devices like Windows, Mac, and external drives. If you want a fast and safe solution for photo recovery, try using SFWare Data Recovery software.

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Pictures are more than just images; they’re memories frozen in time. Whether you snapped them with your phone, a camera, or some other gadget, losing these special moments hurts. But don’t worry, there are ways to get back those deleted photos. This guide will walk you through many methods to recover deleted photos on different devices like your computer, Mac, memory cards, and cameras.

Part 1: Recovering Deleted Photos on Windows

Losing access to photos on your Windows PC due to accidental deletion, power cuts, or malware infections can be painful. Fortunately, there are effective ways to recover deleted photos:

1. Restore from Recycle Bin:

The Recycle Bin is a helpful tool for recovering accidentally deleted pictures on your Windows computer. When you delete files, they are not immediately removed; instead, they are sent to the Recycle Bin. Follow these steps to restore deleted photos:

  • Locate the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and double-click to open it.
  • Once the Recycle Bin is open, search for the deleted photos you want to restore.
  • Select the photos you wish to recover, right-click on them, and choose “Restore.”

recover-deleted-photos-using-recycle-bin

  • Your photos will be returned to their original destination.

While the Recycle Bin is effective for restoring deleted photos, it does not help recover permanently deleted photos. If photos were deleted using the shift+delete key or due to Windows issues like system corruption or unexpected shutdowns, you’ll need to proceed to the next method, which involves recovering photos using backups.

2. Windows Backup and Restore Utility:

Windows boasts several features, including the Backup and Restore utility, which can be invaluable for recovering deleted photos if you’ve previously taken a backup. Follow these simple steps to recover deleted photos using the Backup and Restore utility on a Windows computer:

  1. Connect an external storage device.
  2. Open Control Panel > Backup and Restore (Windows 10).
  3. Choose to restore specific files or all users’ files.

Having a backup is always advantageous, especially in the event of sudden data loss. It’s crucial to keep backups of important files. However, what if you’ve lost your pictures and don’t have a backup? Is it possible to recover permanently deleted photos without a backup? Absolutely, and that’s where professional data recovery software comes into play.

3. Photo Recovery Software:

Professional photo recovery software like SFWare is your go-to tool if you want to recover your lost photos or data. This tool can recover every photo format from various data loss scenarios with ease. Follow the simple steps below:

  • Download and Install SFWare Data Recovery software on your Windows computer
  • Launch SFWare and select the drive containing the deleted photos. Click “Start Scan.”

select-the-drive

  • The software scans and organizes recovered photos into folders.
  • Navigate folders (“Deleted Files” and “Lost and Found Files”) to find your photos.

list-of-recovered-photos

  • Use filters and the search box for efficient sorting.
  • Double-click to Preview photos for integrity.

preview-the-recovered-files

  • Click “Save” to restore photos to a chosen location.

Part 2: Recovering Deleted Photos on Mac

If you’ve lost photos on your Mac, consider these methods:

1. Restore from Trash:

Just like the Windows recycle bin, the Mac has its own trash which is pretty similar to the recycle bin. When you accidentally delete photos on your Mac, the first place to check is the Trash bin. Here’s how you can restore them:

  1. Open the Trash bin on your desktop.
  2. Locate the photos you want to recover.
  3. Right-click on the selected photos.
  4. Choose “Put Back” to restore the photos to their original location.

recover-deleted-photos-on-mac-using-trash

2. Time Machine Backup:

If you’ve been diligent about using Time Machine for backups, you can easily recover lost photos. Follow these steps:

  • Access Time Machine by clicking the icon in the menu bar.
  • Choose “Enter Time Machine” or go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Time Machine.

enter-time-machine

  • Navigate to the date of your last backup.
  • Select your photo library backup.
  • Click “Restore” to recover your photos to their original location.

restore-photos-from-time-machine

3. Mac Photo Recovery Software:

When other methods fall short, using specialized data recovery software like SFWare Data Recovery for Mac can be a lifesaver. Here’s how to go about it:

  • Download, Install, and launch the SFWare Data Recovery software on your Mac computer to start the deleted photo recovery process.
  • Choose the drive from which you want to recover your deleted photos and click on the Start Scan button to initiate the scanning process.

select-the-drive-from-where-you-want-to-recover-deleted-photos

  • Once the scan is complete you will be able to see all your recovered photos. You can Preview the recovered photos for free to assess their quality.

preview-the-recovered-photos

  • Click on the Save button to save your recovered files securely.

Part 3: Recovering Deleted Photos from External Storage Devices

Suppose you’ve lost photos from various external storage devices, including SD cards, external hard drives, SSDs, camera cards, and USB flash or pen drives. In that case, there are reliable methods to recover your cherished memories. Explore these two effective approaches:

Method 1: CHKDSK Command

When photos become inaccessible due to errors on your external storage device, running the CHKDSK command can resolve issues and restore access. Follow these steps:

  • Connect your external storage device (e.g., SD card, external hard drive, SSD) to your computer.
  • Open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges by typing “cmd” in the search box and selecting “Run as administrator.”
  • In the Command Prompt window, type the chkdsk [Drive Letter]: /f  command.

run-chkdsk-command

Note: Replace [Drive Letter] with the assigned letter of your external storage device (e.g., chkdsk E: /f).

  • Press Enter to initiate the CHKDSK command. Allow the process to complete.

Also Read: How To Recover Deleted Files After CHKDSK?

Method 2: Photo Recovery Software

Consider utilizing specialized photo recovery software such as SFWare Photo Recovery for a comprehensive recovery from various external storage devices. This tool is capable of recovering data not only from Windows and Mac computers but also from other storage devices like SD cards, USB flash drives, external hard drives, and more. However, you need to connect the drive to your computer, and depending on the Operating System, you can select the appropriate version of this tool. The recovery process is the same as mentioned above.

Tips to Prevent Photo Deletion/Loss

To avoid future photo loss, consider these tips:

  • Back up your photos to an external hard drive, cloud, or other storage regularly.
  • Handle devices with care to prevent physical damage.
  • Protect against data loss due to viruses or malware.
  • Double-check before deleting photos to prevent accidental loss.

Conclusion

The fear of losing valuable photos is real, but with the right strategies and tools, recovery is possible. Explore the mentioned methods and consider using professional photo recovery tools for a stress-free experience. Your memories are precious, and safeguarding them should be a top priority.

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