PhotoRec free for PC, Mac

PhotoRec is a data recovery tool designed by CGSecurity and is a lifeline for lost files. It rescues data from damaged storage like a pro—whether it's a stubborn hard disk, a finicky CD-ROM, or a camera memory on the fritz. Efficient and precise, it identifies file patterns, saving your digital treasures in a flash.

What is PhotoRec?

PhotoRec is a handy piece of software that comes to the rescue when you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of losing important files. It's an open-source file recovery tool created by CGSecurity, designed to retrieve a variety of files like photos, videos, documents, and more from different storage media.

The magic behind PhotoRec lies in its ability to recover files by identifying unique file signatures or headers, even if the file system is damaged or missing. Whether your files are on a hard disk, CD-ROM, or camera memory, PhotoRec scans through the data, recognizing specific patterns to salvage lost data.

What are the key features of PhotoRec?

• Filesystem agnostic: PhotoRec is pretty unique in the way it operates. It doesn't rely on the file system, making it a superhero when the file system is on the verge of a breakdown. It's like a file recovery wizard that can dig into the depths of FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, and even HFS+ filesystems.
• Optimized algorithm: Now, let's talk ReiserFS. This file system has its own set of cool tricks, like tail optimizations, where it gives special attention to smaller files and the tail ends of larger ones. To boost performance, ReiserFS takes an unconventional approach by storing files right within the b*tree leaf nodes, skipping the traditional route of pointing elsewhere on the disk.

• Media management: It seamlessly operates with various storage devices like hard disks, CD-ROMs, and memory cards (CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital/SD, SmartMedia, Microdrive, MMC, etc.). It's not limited to just these—USB memory drives, DD raw images, EnCase E01 images, and more are all fair game.
• OS support: PhotoRec is versatile—it seamlessly operates on DOS/Windows 9x, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008/2003, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Sun Solaris, Mac OS X, and can be easily compiled on nearly every Unix system. It's like a digital multitool, ready to tackle recovery across a wide spectrum of platforms.

How to use PhotoRec?

Don't be afraid of the techy look of PhotoRec, as even though it works in your console, it has been designed for accessibility and simplicity. Be sure to follow the few steps of the official step-by-step guide, and you will recover all your data very quickly.

Is PhotoRec free?

Yes, PhotoRec is totally free to use.

Is PhotoRec safe?

PhotoRec is a very trusted recovery solution that respects your privacy and ensures your data is not altered during the recovery process.