Back in my varsity days, data recovery software was a tool I would often use, sometimes almost daily.
The biggest reasons for this was, firstly, that many portable storage devices back then weren’t as reliable and stable as they are today, and, secondly, because I ran a side computer business. These types of services were something students always required as a result of the above-mentioned.
I too had a few runs-in with faulty flash drives or portable hard drives, which is why the software was especially important to me in the event of a crash. Even with the numerous back-ups I made on several other devices, a good day’s worth of work could easily be wiped as a result.
The software I used at the time was very popular. The issue, however, was that it was extremely clunky and if you didn’t know what you were looking for and where to find it, the use of the software would’ve been in vain.
With EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, I explored the modern file recovery software and right off the bat, the experience was much more fluid.
Before we start, it’s worth a few minutes understanding how file storage works with the simplest of run-downs. When any file is created and stored on a drive, it not only occupies some space, but links are created to this chunk of space and saved within an index file. The index file occupies the portion of the drive when formatted, which doesn’t get erased and the biggest reason why if you have a 1TB drive (1024GB) you end up with something like 950GB of actual usable storage space. When a file is deleted, the actual chunk it occupied isn’t deleted, but instead, it is the index table that is updated in most cases, which no longer points to this file. That chunk is now available for use by the system, which can potentially be overwritten in mere minutes or sometimes not for days or weeks.
When using any recovery software, in this case, the Data Recovery Wizard, it builds a stand-alone index table to recreate the current state of the drive irrespective of what your operating system is telling you. And if you’re quick enough on an active drive, finding the file you just lost or deleted can be recovered.
Upon first use of the Data Recovery Wizard, you’ll immediately notice how simple and easy it is to use. Users are presented with an easy to use interface. Simply select the drive you wish to search and hit the “Scan” button to start the process. The streamlined menu makes it easy enough for users at various skill levels to use, without being bogged down by cumbersome sub-menus and options.
What’s particularly interesting is that the software has the option to select a specified folder of the current file systems in the event the file you’re searching for was in that location. This not only makes the search easier as a result but significantly reduces the scan duration as a result of the narrowed and focused search.
Another method of simplifying the user interface is not to confuse users by means of the various types of scans, such as basic or deep scan options. Instead, there is a single default here, which scans as thoroughly as possible. Once the scan has commenced, it will then start searching for deleted files. You’ll notice on the bottom left-hand side of the screen that a timer is presented, providing an approximation of the time to complete based on the initial scan criteria, and then building a more comprehensive result as the scan progresses.
It’s worth noting here that the index list presented on the left isn’t complete until the scan is, and while users can use it while the scan proceeds, the table has not been finalised and concatenated.
Once the scan has completed, the recovered files will then be presented in an organised list on the left-hand side. Users can then search for the file by either traversing the list or just using the search function. In addition to this, users can also filter the results based on a specific file type (graphics, documents, videos, etc.), the time the file was last used or modified, its size or just based on a specific letter if you cannot remember the full name.
One of the biggest changes between the recovery systems I’ve used previously and the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is that users have the option to switch how the recovered files are viewed, much the same as you can on Windows and Mac. This means you can change the view to list format, details or even with a preview pane in the event you’re searching for a specific image. This makes it extremely easy to view and manage when file names, etc. aren’t remembered.
Once you’ve found the file/s you were searching for, all you then have to do is click the checkbox of the file and then hit the “Recover” button to select where you wish to store it. Again, it’s important to note here that it’s not ideal to save the file on the same drive that you just scanned and recovered the file from. It’s really quite simple to use overall.
If there’s one missing feature on the Data Recover Wizard is that it doesn’t present the likelihood of success of recovering a file. Typically, these are shown by means of a traffic light indicator – green, orange, and red. There are instances where files could be corrupt after recovery, which means they won’t be useful. Although there is a higher probability that once the file is found via the software that it will be useful, it’s not guaranteed. Recovering a large number of files then isn’t great if they’re all corrupted.
While tables and storage differ in some sense between Mac and Windows, the Data Recovery Wizard is available on both. If you’re working with sensitive data or projects where file storage is of the utmost importance, it’s vital not only to backup all the data to various other mediums, but to always have a data recovery application at hand, already installed.
Installation of the software should always be done prior to any data loss and in the event that it is not, it’s best practice to install on another PC so as not to overwrite any crucial information. You can then connect the failed drive to that and then perform the recovery scan.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a really easy to use and powerful recovery tool. And while there aren’t any advanced options in the menu, they aren’t needed as the tool provides all the options you’d require as a default.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is available online as a free download – with limited features. If you want the Pro Version, Fortress users can get 50% off by following the link to the download page.
The Review
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Not all data recovery solutions are built equal. Data Recovery Wizard provides an easy to use interface with great results.
PROS
- Simple User Interface
- No convoluted options
CONS
- No indication of file recovery success
