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PhotoRec Recover lost files, videos, and photos from any storage device

Trusted open-source data recovery tool that ignores file systems to find and restore underlying data safely. Free, read-only, and maintained with transparency.

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Read-only by design • GPL license • Recuva alternative

PhotoRec recovery overview

What is PhotoRec?

PhotoRec is an open-source data recovery utility that focuses on raw data carving. It ignores file systems such as FAT, NTFS, exFAT, ext2/ext3/ext4, and HFS+ to locate and recover the underlying file data. This approach makes PhotoRec effective on formatted, corrupted, or damaged partitions where directory structures have been lost.

PhotoRec works read-only against the source media, guaranteeing the safety of your drive. It is bundled with TestDisk, its companion tool for partition recovery.

PhotoRec interface screenshot QPhotoRec GUI screenshot

Key Features

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F

Broad File Format Support

Recovers 480+ file types including JPEG, PNG, ZIP, Office, PDF, and more.
S

Storage Media Compatibility

Works with hard disks, SD cards, USB flash drives, CD‑ROMs, and cameras.
R

Raw Data Recovery

Ignores file systems to carve data from formatted or corrupted partitions.
RO

Read‑Only Process

Never writes to source media, protecting the integrity of your drive.
TD

Companion to TestDisk

Use TestDisk to recover partitions, then PhotoRec to restore files.
G

Step‑by‑Step Guides

Clear instructions for PhotoRec CLI and QPhotoRec GUI recovery.

Real Use Cases

Photographers

Recover RAW and JPEG files from faulty SD cards and formatted camera storage.

IT Administrators

Handle corrupted volumes and restore user data after accidental reformats.

Everyday Users

Recover documents, videos, and photos deleted from USB flash drives or disks.

Recovery Comparison Preview

PhotoRec

  • Open-source, GPL
  • Read-only recovery
  • Raw data carving
  • 480+ formats

Recuva

  • Proprietary
  • File system-based
  • Windows focused
  • Paid features

Disk Drill

  • Proprietary
  • Cross‑platform
  • Freemium
  • File system tools

EaseUS

  • Proprietary
  • Windows/macOS
  • Paid tiers
  • File system recovery

For partitions and lost volumes, use TestDisk together with PhotoRec.

Companion Software

Repair Partitions with TestDisk

TestDisk is a free, open-source data recovery software from CGSecurity. It was primarily designed to help you recover lost partitions and make non-booting disks bootable again when the cause is faulty software, certain viruses, or human error.

It is a powerful partition and data recovery utility that works at the file-system and partition-table level. Select the disk, choose the partition table type, and let TestDisk analyze and search for lost or damaged structures.

Download TestDisk

Key Capabilities

  • Partition Recovery Recover deleted partitions and fix partition tables.
  • Boot Sector Repair Rebuild NTFS/FAT boot sectors and fix MFT.
  • Undelete Files Restore files from FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2 filesystems.

Trust & Transparency

  • Read-only by design. PhotoRec never writes to the source drive.
  • Open-source under GPL. Inspect the code and verify integrity.
  • Companion with TestDisk for comprehensive recovery workflows.
Learn more about trust and security
Recovery result preview

Ready to start recovery?

Follow the step‑by‑step guide and recover files safely.

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