Step-by-Step Guide to Using GetLostData for Windows & MacGetLostData is a data recovery tool designed to retrieve lost, deleted, or inaccessible files from a variety of storage devices. This guide walks you through each step of using GetLostData on both Windows and macOS, from preparation and installation to advanced recovery scenarios and post-recovery best practices.
What GetLostData Can Recover
GetLostData supports recovery of:
- Deleted files emptied from the recycle bin/trash
- Formatted partitions or drives that were accidentally formatted
- Corrupted or inaccessible drives that the system no longer mounts
- Files lost after system crashes or malware attacks
- A wide range of file types: documents, photos, videos, audio, emails, archives, and more
Before You Begin: Preparation & Safety Tips
- Stop using the affected drive immediately to avoid overwriting lost data.
- If possible, remove the drive and connect it to a separate system as a secondary disk or use a USB adapter.
- Use a different drive to recover files to — never recover onto the same volume you’re scanning.
- Make note of the drive model, size, filesystem (NTFS/FAT/exFAT/HFS+/APFS), and the operating system version.
Installing GetLostData
Windows
- Download the Windows installer from the official GetLostData website.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions. Choose a different drive for installation than the one you’ll scan, if possible.
- Launch GetLostData after installation completes. Grant administrator permissions if prompted.
macOS
- Download the macOS DMG from the official site.
- Open the DMG and drag the GetLostData app to the Applications folder.
- On first launch, macOS may warn about unknown developer — allow it via System Preferences → Security & Privacy if necessary.
- Grant Full Disk Access in System Settings for GetLostData to scan system volumes (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access).
Interface Overview
- The main window lists detected storage devices and available partitions.
- Scan modes typically include Quick Scan, Deep Scan (or Full Scan), and Partition Search.
- Filters let you narrow results by file type (images, documents, video, audio, archives).
- Preview pane displays recoverable files (text, image thumbnails, some video formats).
- Recovery queue and destination selector for saving recovered files.
Step 1 — Selecting the Drive or Partition
- Choose the physical disk or specific partition where the lost data was located.
- If the drive is not shown, ensure it’s connected correctly and recognized by the OS. For external drives, try different USB ports or cables.
Step 2 — Choosing Scan Mode
- Quick Scan: fast, checks file table and recently deleted entries — use this first.
- Deep Scan / Full Scan: thorough sector-level analysis, finds files after formatting or corruption — takes longer but finds more.
- Partition Search: use if the partition table was damaged or a whole partition is missing.
Recommendation: Start with Quick Scan; if results are insufficient, run Deep Scan.
Step 3 — Scanning
- Start the scan and monitor progress. Scans can take minutes to hours depending on drive size and scan depth.
- Avoid interrupting the scan unless necessary. If interrupted, some tools allow resuming later or saving a scan session.
Step 4 — Reviewing and Filtering Results
- Use file-type filters to reduce noise (e.g., show only JPEGs or DOCX).
- Preview files before recovery. Preview confirms file integrity for many common formats.
- Pay attention to file names, sizes, and timestamps to pick the correct versions.
Step 5 — Recovering Files
- Select files/folders to recover. For large recoveries, batch-select folders or file types.
- Choose a recovery destination on a separate drive. Confirm available free space.
- Start recovery and wait until completion. Check recovered files for usability.
Advanced Scenarios
Recovering from a Formatted Drive
- Use Deep Scan / Full Scan and Partition Search. Look for recognizable file signatures (JPEG, PNG, PDF, DOCX).
- Be prepared for lost original filenames/paths; recovered files may be numbered with generic names.
Corrupted or Unmountable Drives
- If the OS can’t mount a drive but it appears in GetLostData, run a sector-level scan.
- If the drive is physically failing (clicking noises), minimize use and consider professional data recovery services.
SSD-specific considerations
- TRIM-enabled SSDs may permanently erase data quickly; recovery chances are lower. Act fast and avoid powering the SSD through heavy use.
RAID and complex setups
- GetLostData may support basic RAID reconstruction, but for multi-disk arrays or hardware RAID, consider specialists to avoid further data loss.
Post-Recovery: Verification and Backup
- Verify critical recovered files open and are not corrupted. Check documents, images, and videos thoroughly.
- Create multiple backups: at minimum one local backup and one off-site/cloud backup.
- Consider setting up a regular automated backup schedule (File History/Time Machine/third-party backup).
Troubleshooting Tips
- If a scan finds no files: try Deep Scan; ensure correct drive/partition selected; check connections and cables.
- If previews show corrupted files: try alternative recovery formats or use file repair tools for specific file types (JPEG repair, video repair).
- If GetLostData can’t access the disk: check OS Disk Utility (macOS) or Disk Management (Windows) for hardware errors; consider using a forensic imaging tool (create a disk image) before further attempts.
When to Use Professional Recovery
- Physical drive damage (clicking, burning smell, mechanical failure).
- Very large or mission-critical datasets where DIY risk is unacceptable.
- Complex RAID arrays or proprietary storage systems.
Final Notes
- Data recovery is time-sensitive: the sooner you act, the better the chances.
- Always recover to a different drive to avoid overwriting.
- Treat recovered files as potentially incomplete; validate before permanent use.
If you want, I can:
- Provide a concise checklist you can print before starting recovery, or
- Create step-by-step screenshots for either Windows or macOS tailored to a specific version.
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