Recovering 52 GB of Lost Data from an Accidentally Formatted USB Drive: A Comparative Review of DMDE and Aiseesoft Data Recovery
Data loss incidents can be both stressful and often devastating, especially when valuable information is at stake. Recently, I encountered such a situation firsthand and would like to share my experience with two prominent data recovery tools—DMDE and Aiseesoft Data Recovery—to guide others facing similar challenges.
The Incident
While preparing my 128GB SanDisk USB drive—containing approximately 45-48GB of critical data—for a Windows installation, I used the official Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool. Unfortunately, I neglected to back up my files beforehand. The process resulted in the drive being reformatted, with all existing data wiped and installer files written over the drive. Suddenly, I found myself in a panic, faced with the urgent need to recover important files.
Initial Recovery Attempt: DMDE
My first step was to explore data recovery options, and DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Data Recovery Software) came highly recommended within online forums. I downloaded the free version, which allowed me to scan the drive and identify recoverable files.
While DMDE managed to locate approximately 27GB of deleted data, it was not without limitations. The free version imposes restrictions—only five clicks per folder, which hampers efficiency when recovering large volumes of files. Additionally, the interface is somewhat complex, making the recovery process less intuitive for users unfamiliar with advanced data tools. To fully recover all files, a paid license was necessary, which added to the urgency of my decision.
A More Effective Solution: Aiseesoft Data Recovery
Seeking a more streamlined approach, I researched alternative data recovery software and discovered Aiseesoft Data Recovery. This tool offers a trial option, enabling an initial scan to assess recoverable data without upfront costs.
After running scans with both tools, Aiseesoft Data Recovery proved immensely more effective. It identified approximately 52GB of data—a significant improvement over DMDE’s results—including all my recently deleted files and even some long-lost files from previous deletions. The user interface is highly user-friendly; the software automatically categorizes files into specific groups such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, and more. This categorization made selecting and recovering data straightforward, allowing me to restore all necessary files in a single operation.
Conclusion: Recommendations for Critical Data Recovery
Based on this experience, I highly recommend A
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