Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Using PhotoRec for Mac and Windows
• Method 2 of 2: Using Recuva for Windows
• Warnings

SD or Secure Digital cards are used to store and exchange information between digital cameras, cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and even small computers. Occasionally the cards crash or data is accidentally deleted by the user. If this happens to you, then you can use a free file recovery program to recover the deleted files.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Using PhotoRec for Mac and Windows

1. Go to the PhotoRec Wiki or click here.
2. Find the box "Latest Stable Version" and click "7.0". This box is located in the top right corner of the page.
3. Scroll down to "TestDisk & PhotoRec 7.0" and click on the version that is compatible with your computer.
4. Download the zip file on your desktop.
5. Double-click the file to extract it.
6. Place the SD card in your computer.
7. Click on "testdisk7.0" to open it.
8. Double-click the "Photorec" file to open the program. A terminal window will appear with the PhotoRec 7.0 program.
   • If a message appears, give permission to run the program.
9. Select your SD card or disk and press ↵ Enter. Since your mouse does not work in the terminal, you have to use the arrow keys on your keyboard.
   • You may be presented with multiple options on this screen. Note the size of each disk listed and choose the drive that is the same size as your SD card.
10. Select the partition type and press ↵ Enter. Mac users then select "P Fat16> 32". In Windows, choose "P Fat32". Allows the program to scan the identified directory system.
11. Select the file system "[Other]" and press ↵ Enter.
12. Select "Free" to search for files in Fat16 or Fat32 format.
    • Only choose "Whole" if you think your SD card is damaged.
13. Use the arrow keys to choose a storage location for the recovered files.
    • You can now create a folder for the recovered files.
    • Do not save the files to the SD card.
14. Press C. once the location is correct. The recovery process will start automatically.
15. Wait for the recovery process to complete.
16. Navigate to the location you selected in step 13 to view the recovered files.

Method 2 of 2: Using Recuva for Windows

1. Go to the Recuva homepage or click here.
2. Select "Download Free Version" followed by "Free Download".
3. Click on "FreeHippo.com" or "Piriform.com". The website will open and the download will start automatically.
4. Click the downloaded file at the bottom of the web page to open it.
5. Select "Run".
6. Install Recuva. To install this software on your computer, follow the steps below:
   • Click on "Ok".
   • Click on "Next".
   • Review the license agreement and select "I Agree".
   • Click on "Install".
   • Uncheck the box next to "View Release notes" and click "Finish." The program will start automatically.
7. Place the SD card in your computer. When prompted to format the SD card, check the box next to "Quick Format" and click "Start". This will erase the file table from the SD card and the data will remain unaffected.
8. Return to Recuva and click "Next" to continue after the welcome screen.
9. Select the type of file or files you want to recover and click "Next".
10. Select your SD card as the file location. Choose "In a specific location" and click "Browse". Scroll through the list and select "Removable Disk". Select the "DCIM" folder if necessary. Click on "Ok" followed by "Next".
11. Click on "Start" to run the program. While the program recovers the files, they will appear on the screen.
12. Check the box under each file you want to recover.
13. Click on "Recover".
14. Select a location to save the files and click "Ok". The files will be restored to the location you selected.
15. Click "Ok" when the restore process is complete.
16. Navigate to the location you selected in step 14 to view the recovered files.

Warnings

• An improperly removed SD card can damage data.
• Check the PC where you will be inserting the SD card thoroughly for viruses / malware or other suspicious programs.