CR2 File Recovery | How to Recover CR2 Files from SD Cards

CR2 files are commonly associated with Canon cameras, although other programs also utilize this file extension. If you're a professional dealing with CR2 files, you likely understand their significance.

Help! Can you Recover Deleted CR2 Files?

It is not rare to lose CR2 photos from SD cards due to deletion, disk formatting, physical damages, etc. Fortunately, with the right tools, CR2 file recovery is a relatively simple process. 

Because when you delete a file, it vanishes from your access but remains on the SD card or storage device in a different space. Until new data overwrites the deleted files, there's still a chance of recovery.

How to recover CR2 files from SD cards?

To recover CR2 files from memory card or hard drive, utilizing SD card recovery tools is recommended. The success of recovery, as discussed earlier, relies on the cause of file loss.

However, employing intelligent recovery CR2 photo recovery software enhances the chances of successful recovery. Here, we present 3 methods for you with one eligible data recovery app that is reliable and efficient.

Method 1. Recover CR2 files from SD cards efficiently & quickly

With MyRecover, the ultimate CR2 file recovery solution, you can effortlessly retrieve those deleted images and breathe life back into your photographic treasures. It's time to reunite with your most precious memories, creating an emotional connection that transcends time and space.

Competent: recover all kinds of photos, including cr2 photos and other frequently used formats (png/jpg/gif/tif/psd) using cutting-edge scanning techniques and algorithms. 

Convenient: Restoring deleted data with only three easy steps while keeping the original filename, format, and location. 

All-inclusive: apply to formatted disks, accidental deletion, viruses, system crashes, etc. 

Compatible: support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or ReFS file systems on Windows 11/10/8/7/Server. 

🔥 You can download MyRecove to recover CR2 files, up to 500MB for free. then, follow the steps below to recover CR2 files from SD cards easily.

Step 1. Scan the SD card

Install MyRecover > connect your SD card > hover the mouse over the SD card partition > click Scan. Once the scan is complete, MyRecover will display a list of recoverable CR2 files.

Step 2. Filter and preview CR2 photos

Filter/preview/sort the scanned files to navigate to your wanted CR2 photos quickly.

Step 3. Recover CR2 photos

Files on the external storage devices will be detected and listed under Other missing files. Click Other missing files > Images > select the CR2 photos you want > Recover x files. 

Method 2. Recover CR2 files from Recycle Bin

Also, there are some other methods to get back your wanted photos. Firstly, you could try checking the Recycle Bin. Generally, files deleted from external devices are not in Recycle Bin after deletion, but it is worth trying.

Step 1. Double-click on the recycle bin icon to access it. 

Step 2. Find the CR2 file you want to recover > right-click on the file and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Method 3. Recover CR2 files from SD cards using Windows File Recovery

When recovering files from a local hard drive, users often rely on Windows backups or restoring previous file versions. However, these methods are not effective for memory cards.

Instead, you can utilize the Windows File Recovery tool, a command-line utility designed to scan the hard disk for deleted and missing files. Follow the simple steps provided below, or refer to the detailed guide for more comprehensive instructions on how to use Windows File Recovery.

Notes:✎...

Windows File Recovery is available for Windows 10, version 2004 (Build 19041), or later versions. 

This app cannot maintain the filename/path.

Step 1. Firstly, you need to check the file system. Properly connect the SD card to your PC using a card reader. > This PC > determine the file system your memory card uses by accessing the SD card's Properties.

Step 2. Choose the appropriate recovery mode based on the file system.

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. Utilize switches to filter and target specific files.

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 > input and download Windows File Recovery.

Step 5. Use the command-line utility with the correct syntax, specifying the source and destination drives.

Please remember that the destination drive cannot be set to the SD card you scanned to prevent overwriting.

E.g., winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.cr2

What is a CR2 file?

CR2, short for Canon Raw Version 2, serves as a raw image file extension specifically designed for Canon cameras. These cameras store photos in their unprocessed form within a raw image file, enabling them to capture intricate details.

With the CR2 extension, a Canon camera can produce images containing up to 14 bits of RGB data, surpassing the 8-bit capacity of JPEG files. This attribute makes CR2 files highly desirable for professional photographers.

Reasons for CR2 files loss

Understanding the potential causes is essential as they determine the likelihood of file recovery. For instance, significant wear and tear on a hard drive may hinder complete file recovery. Conversely, recently deleted files have a higher chance of successful recovery.

How to recover corrupted CR2 files?

If your CR2 files become corrupt, you can attempt several methods to repair them. Below, we outline a few approaches for fixing corrupt CR2 photos.

Method 1. Use a Different Program

In some cases, opening a corrupt CR2 file with a different program can resolve the issue. This method works best for files with minimal corruption.

For CR2 files, try using Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom instead of Canon's software to open the files and check if they can be accessed correctly.

Method 2. Convert CR2 to JPEG

Converting CR2 files to a different format like JPEG can help overcome corruption problems. Online converters such as Iloveimg and Cloudconvert offer the capability to convert CR2 files to JPEG. Although the resulting photos will be in JPG format, you can still access and utilize them effectively.

FAQ about CR2 recovery

This article helps users learn how to recover CR2 files from SD cards. Users can rely on efficient and advanced data recovery software like MyRecover to scan for deleted CR2 photos quickly.  It can also help you recover CR3 files with ease.

Also, methods to recover corrupted CR2 files have been prepared in this post. You might as well learn how to open CR2 files when you cannot access them.

Besides, if you have some more questions about CR2 photo recovery, some frequently asked questions and answers are also ready for you.