MyRecover
How to Recover Files from Compact Flash (CF) Card for Free
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.
By Lora / Updated on December 11, 2024
Can 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. 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.
Possible causes of CF card data loss
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.
- Disk formatting. This may be an accident. Or formatting errors and card corruption force you to format it. Anyway, it will delete or erase all data on the card.
- CF card corruption. CF card may be corrupted due to removing card without safe removal or interrupting the read/write or formatting process, hindering users from accessing their files.
- Virus attack. Viruses, malware, or Trojans may hide/delete/move/modify, and even encrypt users' files, resulting in data loss.
- Physical damage. At this time, the card may be cracked, broken, bent, the locking switch/pin connector broken, or the metal connector worn. But if your computer still recognizes it, you still can recover files from CF card.
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.
Step-by-step guide to Compact Flash data 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 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.
Option 1: MyRecover
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.
🥇Why choose MyRecover?
- It has a free edition that recovers over 500MB.
- Select 1000+ types of data to restore, including photos, videos, docs, spreadsheets, compressed files, etc.
- Search or filter data quickly through file name, extension, data type, etc.
- Preview files before recovery.
- Recover specific files or folders instead of all.
- Recover deleted or lost files while scanning.
- Apply to situations, e.g., deletion, formatting, recycle bin empty, virus attack, lost partition, system crash, etc.
- Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Server, NTFS/exFAT/FAT32/ReFS, etc.
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.
- Name/Extension: Type part or the entire filename of the desired files or its extension in the search box.
- Data type: Select the data type, such as Documents, Images, Videos, etc., according to the files you want to recover.
- Date modified: Specify the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)
- Size: Set file size (128KB, 128 KB~1 MB, 1MB~512MB, etc.)
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.
- Recover files from formatted hard drive
- Recover files deleted by virus
- Recover files from lost partition
- Recover deleted files from Recycle Bin
- Recover permanently deleted files
- ......
Option 2. Windows File Recovery
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.
- The syntax: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
- The source drive and destination drive can't be the same.
- You need to check the file system of the CF card before recovering since it's helpful to select the recovery mode.
- If you don't know the switches, type winfr /? to get details.
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.
- Select a recovery mode: Regular for NTFS or Extensive for all file systems.
- Select one or more switches according to your needs.
- To recover deleted jpg files from F: drive to D drive, type: winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.jpg
- Click y to continue.
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.
How to fix a corrupted Compact Flash card
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.
Way 1: Use chkdsk command
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.
Way 2. Update the disk drivers
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.
Way 3: Format the CF card
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.
FAQs
100%
Clean & Secure
