Compact Flash Data Recovery: Recover Files from CF Card

"How do I recover files from CompactFlash card?"

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, like other data storage devices.

This user must not be the only one. Have you ever been bothered by this issue? If you are one of them, rest assured; this article gathers some CF card data recovery approaches.

To deal with data loss issues on CF cards better, let's walk through the reasons why files get lost from CompactFlash cards.

Causes of data loss from CF card

As shown above, deletion is one of CF card data loss's most prominent reasons. For example, you may accidentally delete photos from SD cards. Apart from this, there are more causes.

Disk formatting. Users may have accidentally formatted the CF card, or some errors and corruption may have forced them to format it. Then it will wipe all content on the card. 

CF card corruption. Like SD cards, CF cards also meet corruption of files or file systems, hindering users from accessing their files. 

Virus attack. Viruses and malware/Trojans will hide/delete/move/modify and even encrypt users' personal files to extort money from users, forcing them to remove viruses using CMD only, sometimes. 

Physical damage. If the tiny and delicate elements get damaged due to jolting/dropping, the files will also be inaccessible.

File loss caused by deletion, formatting, virus, etc., are recoverable with the help of some professional data rescue measures. Still, data recovery chances will be slim if the card is damaged.

Now, move on to the following part to perform Compact Flash data recovery.

How to achieve Compact Flash data recovery?

Several methods to recover files from CF cards are ready. Users who know commands can refer to the first one; if you are unfamiliar with commands, don't worry; you can also use a simple and efficient Windows data rescue app.

Method 1. Recover files from CF card via Windows File Recovery

CF card data recovery is not like data recovery from local drives. When you need to recover lost or deleted data from computers, you could turn to inbuilt 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.

Windows File Recovery is an eligible one. It uses commands and parameters to search for deleted and missing files from healthy/formatted/corrupted hard drives.

But please note that since it utilizes commands and offers no graphical user interface, it will be pretty difficult for ordinary users. To seek a more straightforward tool, check the following method.

Now, learn how to use Windows File Recovery in the following steps.

Notes:✎...

When meeting errors or needing help, check the Windows File Recovery troubleshooting tutorial.

Step 1. Plug the CF card with a card reader carefully > go to This PC > right-click the CF card drive > Properties. Check what file system the CF card uses.

Step 2. A recovery mode is necessary for the command. Please choose the Extensive mode if you are using a non-NTFS CF drive.

File system	Scenarios	mode
NTFS	Deleted recently	Regular
NTFS	Deleted for a while	Extensive
NTFS	Formatted disk	Extensive
NTFS	corrupted disk	Extensive
FAT and exFAT	Any	Extensive

Step 3. Use switches to target the files faster. The wildcard "*" is also feasible.

Switches	Meaning	Supported mode(s)
/n	Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc.	All
/y:	Recovers specific extension groups.	Signature
/k	Recovers system files.	NTFS Segment​​​​​
/segment	Segment mode; recovers files under NTFS drives using file record segments.	Segment
/signature	Signature mode; recovers files under all file system types using file headers.	Signature
/u	Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin.	NTFS Segment

Step 4. Go to Microsoft Store > click Get.

Step 5. Start the command-line app > input the command line.

Command format: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

The source drive (the CF card) must be different from the destination drive to avoid data overwriting.

E.g., winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.jpg

This way, you could recover all jpg files from the F: drive to the D: drive. Check the recovered files in the destination drive you chose.

Method 2. Perform Compact Flash data recovery without complex commands

Windows File Recovery requires users to be familiar with commands and parameters, which is demanding to some degree.

In addition, the filenames and path will be lost while recovering, which is pretty inconvenient.

In this case, users who want a more effortless and efficient way to recover files from CF cards might also choose advanced and easy Windows data recovery apps.

MyRecover will be a wise choice. It is advanced in data recovery from external and internal storage media, e.g., HDD/SSD/SD card/USB/CF card, etc., since it possesses multiple valuable features.

Step 1. Install and run > connect the CF card> hover the mouse over the CF card saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. Search and sort the files by Date modified, Type, Size, etc.

Step 3. Go to Deleted files or Other missing files and select the files you need, e.g., Images > click Recover x files.

Using this powerful app, you could also undelete USB flash drive.

FAQ

This article offers feasible methods of Compact Flash data recovery. For more related info, check the following questions and answers.