This article describes how to perform Compact Flash data recovery step by step using MyRecover, and Windows File Recover, two popular Windows data recovery software.
Users will prefer CompactFlash cards when using portable electronic devices like cameras. It wins popularity among high-end camera users, possessing low prices, high capacity, and high speed. However, users can meet data loss issues when using CF cards. Here's a real case:
“Deleted files on an old compact flash card. I was looking at the photos from an old Compact Flash 512MB card the other day, about 100 exposures, and when I had finished looking at them, I deleted them with the card still connected to the pc. Big mistake; I'm not sure if they are backed up. Is there a better recovery method?"
The question arises, "Can I recover files from Compact Flash card?" The answer is yes, but the success rate may vary, depending on the cause of the data loss and whether the data is overwritten.
As shown above, deletion is one of the top reasons for CF card data loss, for example, you accidentally delete photos from SD cards without checking them carefully. Apart from this, there are more causes in the following.
Anyway, it would be best if you stop using this card immediately to avoid data overwriting. Continuing to read or write data on the card or formatting it will also make data recovery more difficult.
CF card data recovery is not like data recovery from local drives. When you need to recover lost or deleted data from computers, you can turn to built-in tools like File History or restore previous versions of files and folders.
However, if you want to retrieve data from external storage devices like CompactFlash cards, it will be challenging without the help of data rescue tools. Here we'll introduce you to two popular choices.
MyRecover will be a top choice if you want to use easier and more efficient software to recover files from CF cards. It integrates two advanced scanning technologies to thoroughly scan the CF card and find all recoverable data. Also, it categorizes this data so that you can quickly find what you need.
Step 1. Install and run MyRecover. Then, connect the CF card as well. Once done, hover the mouse over the CF card and click Scan.
Step 2. Search and filter the files by Name/Extension Date modified, Type, Size, etc. (if you want to find specific files quickly). You can also expand the sidebar directories to find files in their original location.
Step 3. Once found, preview and select the files you need. Then, click Recover x files and select a new location to save the recovered files.
Using this powerful app, you could also undelete USB flash drive, external disk, HDDs/SSDs, etc., in the following scenarios.
Windows File Recovery is a command-line utility, available on Windows 10 and later, and can recover deleted or lost files from healthy/formatted/corrupted CF cards. It requires you to learn the syntax and some necessary parameters.
Now, learn how to use Windows File Recovery in the following steps.
Step 1. Plug the CF card with a card reader carefully and connect it to a computer. Then, go to This PC > right-click the CF card and select Properties. Check what file system the CF card uses.
Step 2. Go to Microsoft Store, search for Windows File Recovery, and click Get to launch this tool.
Step 3. Start Compact flash data recovery.
Just wait until the process is complete and check the recovered files in the destination drive.
While in use, you may encounter some errors if you are not familiar with commands and parameters. If so, check the Windows File Recovery troubleshooting tutorial. In addition, the filenames and path will be lost while recovering, which is pretty inconvenient.
If your CF card is corrupted but still accessible, it's suggested to recover files from Compact Flash card first. At this time, any operation may cause further data loss. Here we'll introduce you to several useful methods to fix a corrupted CF card.
The chkdsk command helps to scan your card and fix file system errors it found. Also, it can mark bad sectors as unused to avoid data corruption.
Step 1. Type cmd in the search box and select Run as administrator.
Step 2. Type chkdsk F: /f /r /x and press Enter to execute. It may take a few minutes or hours to analysize this card, just wait patiently.
If the disk driver is CF card is outdated or corrupted, your computer may not recognize it, making data inaccessible. Try to check if this is the issue.
Step 1. Right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.
Step 2. Expand Disk drives and find the corrupted card. Right-click it and click Update driver.
Step 3. Click Search automatically for drivers > Update drivers. It will automatically download and install the drivers. Then, restart your computer to make the change take effect.
You can also use the formatting method in File Explorer to restore CF card to a good status. So you can access it and use it to store any data you want.
Step 1: Right-click on the CF card under "This PC" in File Explorer.
Step 2: Be sure the "Quick Format" is checked. Then, click “Start”. Windows will perform a quick format by default.
If you find SD card deleting files by itself, please stay alert and make sure there are no viruses on your SD card. To stop it, you could try to back up the SD card and then format it to bring it back to normal.
If you need to perform corrupted SD card data recovery, CHKDSK commands can help you. Also, the Recover command can restore readable info from the bad sectors. You could perform a quick format to fix the corrupted SD card.
Disk formatting will wipe all the content on the device. But if it is a quick format, the files are still recoverable because a quick format won't write zeros to the disk. To get pictures back after formatting SD card, you could utilize Windows File Recovery and MyRecover – the professional data recovery software for Windows.
