11. TOKIWA DataRecovery
TOKIWA DataRecovery is an effective file recovery program and is very similar to many others on my list.
The best thing TOKIWA DataRecovery has going for it is its ease of use. It has a single program window where you can scan for files to recovery, sort the files, and undelete them. There are no complicated procedures at all.
TOKIWA DataRecovery can recover files from hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, and other external drives.
DataRecovery supports Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I successfully tested TOKIWA DataRecovery with Windows Vista.
TOKIWA DataRecovery is a standalone, 412KB file making it a completely portable tool suitable for a USB drive or floppy disk.
12. Undelete Plus
Undelete Plus is a great free file recovery program but the program could use a serious face lift. The user interface needs work (e.g. some prominent buttons don't seem to do much) but overall it's an effective file recovery tool.
Undelete Plus can recover files from hard drives, external drives, and memory cards. Any drive using any popular file system should be accessible by Undelete Plus.
Undelete Plus will undelete files in Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95.
If you've been unsuccessful recovering files using other undelete programs on my list, try Undelete Plus. I don't think it's the best file recovery program out there but it might be the one that helps get your file back.
13. PC Inspector File Recovery
PC Inspector File Recovery is another good free file recovery program with an arguably "deeper" search for deleted files than other similar undelete programs.
PC Inspector File Recovery can recover files from most hard drives, external drives, and memory cards.
PC Inspector File Recovery supports Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, and 98. Windows Vista is not listed as a supported operating system. I tested File Recovery with Vista and could not get the program to work properly.
I'd recommend trying PC Inspector File Recovery only if another, higher rated file recovery program didn't do the job for you. The not-so-easy-to-use interface, lack of Vista support, and long hard drive scan times keep this file recovery app out of the Top 10.
14. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is another great file undelete program. Recovering files is very easy to do with just a few clicks.
My favorite aspect of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is that the user interface is structured much like Windows Explorer. While that may not be everyone's ideal way to display files, it's a very familiar interface that most people are comfortable with.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will undelete files from hard drives, optical drives, memory cards, and pretty much anything else that Windows sees as a storage device.
Please know that Data Recovery Wizard will only recover a total of 1 GB of data before you'll need to upgrade. I almost didn't include this program because of that limitation but since most situations call for undeleting much less than that, I'll let it slide.
Data Recovery Wizard supports Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP, as well as Windows Server 2012, 2008, and 2003.
15. Recover Files
The aptly named Recover Files does just that and does it as well as any other average file recovery program.
Files located on hard drives, external drives, ZIP drives, memory cards, etc. are all recoverable by Recover Files. Anything that holds data that you can hook up to your computer is probably fair game for Recover Files.
Recover Files will undelete files in Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tested the portable/standalone version of Recover Files in Vista.
Try Recover Files if another undelete program doesn't provide the results you like but you're probably better off starting with a program like Recuva (#1) or DiskDigger (#2).
16. PhotoRec
The free PhotoRec file recovery tool does the job but it isn't nearly as easy to use as other programs on my list.
PhotoRec is limited by its command-line interface and multiple step recovery process. However, my greatest problem with PhotoRec is that it's very difficult to avoid recovering all deleted files at once, not just the one or two you're after.
PhotoRec can recover files from hard drives, optical drives, and memory cards. PhotoRec should be able to undelete files from any storage device on your PC.
PhotoRec supports Windows Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, NT, ME, 98, and 95. I tested PhotoRec in Windows Vista.
If another file recovery program hasn't worked, give PhotoRec a try. I just don't recommend making it your first pick.
"Why have you only included 16 free file recovery programs?"
True, there are many more file recovery programs than those listed above, but I've only included true freeware file recovery programs that also undelete wide ranges of files.
I didn't include file recovery programs that are shareware/free trials, nor ones that won't undelete reasonably sized files.
If you still need help with a file recovery, post about your issue in the PC Support Forum.
If you'd like to suggest an addition or change to this list, let me know.
