Even though data recovery software and undelete utilities are both designed to recover deleted and lost files, they are different in two ways: data recovery software offers you multiple functions to handle many different situations, and it can also recover a lot more data.

Price as your guide

The quick and easy way to differentiate recovery products, without have to learn all the technical stuff, is to research how much they cost. Data recovery software programs that are priced under the sixty-five dollar mark will be an undelete utility - most of the time they are about forty dollars. The better quality recovery utilities can help with more complex data issues so you will find them to be more expensive - about ninety U.S; the more sophisticated programs can run into the hundreds of dollars.

The more pricey data recovery software are able to address complex data loss issues. They can range from eighty to four-hundred bucks, but the high end ones are mainly for the professional technician. One last thing: companies tend to break up the components of their software and sell them individually; so make sure that the program you choose is really capable of solving your problem.

For the technically-minded…

Even though both data recovery software and undelete recovery software are designed to recover all aspects of data recovery that does not require clean-room work, there is one giant detail all undelete programs forget to mention when marketing them. Before I get to this point, some background info about each kind of program and what they can offer will help you understand this major point:

1. Deleted files have been purposely tossed away into the Recycle Bin or deletion by hitting the “SHIFT+ Delete” Keys. You can also delete files if you “Emptied Recycle Bin.”
2. Files that are considered lost may have been emptied by the bin, caused by a virus, software crash, or accidental format. Boot sector and partition table problems make files difficult to recover, so they may only be lost until the problem is resolved.
3. Corrupted files are either unable to be opened, or the content is unrecognizable when it does.
4. A damaged file may open, but the contents will not read clearly; one part may be easy to understand while other parts are distorted characters and scribble.

The big difference

Undelete software cannot rebuild and repair a file system that is not intact. Ok, so what does that mean? An intact file system means that the components that hold individual files together have not been changed. So if you are not sure what situation you are facing start with data recovery software, because it covers all problems.

If you are still shaking your head with all this tech talk, don’t worry. Remember up above I talked about using price as your guide? Just go reread to that point quickly and use it as your reference. There’s no need to get all flustered from all the odd language. If you have ever downloaded a program you will do just fine.

Choosing expert assistance

In the end, disk data recovery software outperforms an undelete utility. However, when either one is unable to correct your data issues, you can turn to a hard disk data recovery specialist to restore your data manually. It can be somewhat costly, but when you need to restore your files, it could end up being your only solution.