How to Recover Deleted Data from SD Card for Free

Overview on SD Card

SD Card (Secure Digital Memory Card) is a tiny portable storage disk used to add more space to read and write data on mobile devices such as smartphones, cameras, etc. Users can store various files on SD card such as audio, photos, videos, documents, emails, and more. Also, it helps users save and transfer files between mobile devices and computers, laptops. This is why SD cards are very popular among users.

However, data loss is a common issue that can cause headaches. Like other storage devices, files stored on SD cards can be lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, file system corruption, physical damage, virus infection or malware attack, etc. This post will guide you how to recover deleted data from SD card free.

Can you bring back deleted files from SD card?

If you accidentally deleted some data on SD card, can you bring back deleted files from SD card? Generally speaking, if an SD card file is deleted, the file won't appear in the file manager, but it's not actually deleted immediately, the system just marks the file's disk space as "free" and waits for new data to overwrite it. Therefore, as long as the lost data is not overwritten, there is still a chance to retrieve.

So, it's worth noting that to have a better chance of successfully recovering lost data from SD memory card, please stop using SD card to save new data to avoid new data overwriting deleted files.

Recover deleted data from SD card free with/without software

Now, we will show you three ways to retrieve deleted files from SD card for free, with or without software.

Note: If the files are inaccessible but the SD card is in working order, you can easily perform data recovery using the methods described below. However, if the card is physically damaged or broken, a technician is required to recover the lost data.

Best software to recover deleted data from SD card on Windows 11/10/8/7

Once you are aware of the occurrence of data loss, you should perform recovery SD memory card on as soon as possible. In reality, if your SD card was connected to your computer before deletion, you can recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin. If not, you can rely on data recovery tools to restore deleted data.

With the help of file recovery software, it can help you easily recover data from SD card, whether you delete or format SD card. MyRecover is such a software.

No matter what kind of data loss situation you encounter, like manual or accidental deletion, formatted SD card or virus attack, this tool can be utilized.

Here are some of its highlights:
✔ Various files recovery: It can recover various files, like documents (TXT, PPT, PDF, DOC, etc.), images, videos, audios, archives, Zip files and so forth.
✔ High recovery rate and speed: Its Quick Scan & Deep Scan modes help to recover your data at high speed without any omissions.
✔ Wide range of use: It perfectly works with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS in Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server, can restore deleted data from SSD, HDD, memory card, USB flash drive, etc.
✔ Easy-to-operate: Everyone can perform this recovery process with a graphical user interface.

Free download and install this SD card data recovery software to get back your data in just a few clicks.

Step 1. Run MyRecover on your computer and connected the SD card, hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. It will automatically check the drive for all lost files, don't need to wait for the full scanning process, choose the data you want to recover, click the Recover x files button to complete.

Recover files from SD card using CMD

CMD (Command Prompt) is a handy feature on Windows. When you find that some files in your SD card are missing, they may have been hidden due to viruses/malware or accidentally format. Hence, you can use ATTRIB command to find and recover your data.

Steps to recover files from SD card using CMD

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer, press Windows + R to launch Run.

Step 2. In the Run window, type the” cmd” and click OK.

Step 3. Type the command in the Window: ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D G:*.* and hit Enter. After the command prompt returns to its original location, the process will complete, then you can go to the destination to check these files. (Replace the G in the command with the letter of your SD card.)

Retrieve deleted data from SD card using Windows File Recovery

The last way to recover deleted data from SD card is to use Windows File Recovery. This is a Microsoft's official data recovery tool with complex parameters, and supports Windows 10 2004 and later. It has several recovery modes, so it might be a bit complicated for a green-hand.

Next, we'll show you the detailed steps on how to use Windows File Recovery. If you think this tool is too complicated for you, you can turn to another Windows file recovery alternative, a 100% free tool called WinfrGUI.

The format and common syntax of Windows file recovery commands is: winfr source-drive:destination-drive:[/mode] [/switches].

Source drive: the place where files are deleted or lost.

Destination drive: the place where to store your recovered files.

Switches: parameters to target the folders and file types.

Mode: Regular & Extensive. Extensive mode includes two advanced modes: Segment & Signature.

The File System of the disk determines which mode you use. You can check file system by clicking This PC > Right-click the source drive > Tap the Properties.

And then follow the picture below to select your Mode and Switch.

Tip: Regular only supports the NTFS file system.

Now, you can begin to write the command line to recover your data from SD card.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery, enter the command format: winfr source-drive:destination-drive:[/mode] [/switches]. For example, if you want to restore files from E: drive to D: drive, you want to use Segment mode, and the files you lost are Docx files, then as shown in the figure, your command is: winfr E: D: /segment /n *.docx.

Conclusion

This is all the methods to recover deleted data from SD card. From the above analysis, it can be found that it is the most sensible to use file recovery software to recover data from SD card, which does not require any complicated parameters and anyone can easily retrieve files.

BTW, regularly backing up your important SD card data will prepare you for any data loss. You can let one of the best free backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7, AOMEI Backupper Standard, help you.