4 Free Ways | How to Recover DNG Files & What Is a DNG File

Learn to recover DNG files from camera SD cards with 4 and free reliable methods in this article. Besides, there’s a recommended backup tool for you to prevent photo loss.

By @Penny Last Updated November 28, 2024

Losing essential files, like DNG (Digital Negative) files, can be a stressful experience—especially if they’re critical to your photography projects. But don’t worry! There are 4 reliable methods to help you recover deleted DNG files. Let’s dive in and explore these step-by-step solutions.

How to recover deleted DNG files?

Way 1. Restore deleted DNG files from Recycle Bin

The first place to check is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Often, deleted files are temporarily stored here before permanent removal, making it the easiest recovery option.

Windows Users:

Step 1. Locate the Recycle Bin on your desktop. Open it and search for your deleted DNG files.

Step 2.  Right-click the file and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Mac Users:

Step 1. Open the Trash icon from your dock. Look for your deleted DNG files.

Step 2. Right-click and choose Put Back to restore them.

Way 3. Recover deleted DNG files via data recovery software

Sometimes, accidental deletion is unavoidable while you’re organizing your DNG files. Precisely, the SD card doesn’t provide a temporary storage place like Windows Recycle Bin to keep accidentally deleted files. Considering that deletion stands as the most prevalent data loss reason, let’s depict how to recover deleted DNG images from camera SD cards.

Without file backups, powerful SD card photo recovery software can be the most effort-saving approach. Supported by AOMEI Tech, MyRecover excels in recovering deleted & missing images (JPG, PNG, BMP, ICO, TIFF, etc.) from different SD cards such as SDHC and SDXC cards.

SD Card Recovery Software: 

✐ High-efficiency: Recover about 1000 types of images, videos (MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, MKV, RMVB, ASF, etc.) MS Office files, WPS files, folders, compressed files, audio, songs, and websites from SD cards, HDDs, USB drives, etc.

✐ Advanced scanning method: MyRecover runs Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically to search all the recoverable files. Specify the filename, saved path, date, or size to filter your needed files.

✐ Convenience: Retain the original filename, path, and format for the deleted files.

✐ Excellent compatibility: Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems and be compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Sever PC.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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Step 1. Connect the camera SD card to your Windows via a card reader > launch MyRecover > hover the mouse over your connected SD card > click Scan.

Step 2. MyRecover can automatically scan your SD card and display all the recoverable files.

🌟Tip: To save time and quickly locate your wanted DNG images, please preview and filter them according to Document Type, Filename, Path, Date, Size, etc.
  • Name: Enter the filenames of your desired files to narrow the search area.
  • Date modified:Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)
  • Size:Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, etc.)

Step 3. Under the Other Missing Files folder, select your desired DNG photos > click Recover x files to start DNG file recovery.

Notes:✎...   
Please remember to save recovered DNG files in a new path instead of the original camera SD card. 
Moreover, it’s also good at recovering deleted images created by different cameras such as Sigma X3F, and DNG, Sony ARW, Nikon NEF, Fuji RAF, and Olympus ORF.
Please consider upgrading MyRecover to recover a large number of deleted/missing photos from local drives if you prefer a more cost-effective plan. 

Way 3. Recover deleted DNG files using File History

If you’ve enabled backup features on your system, such as File History on Windows or Time Machine on Mac, you may be able to recover your DNG files from a previous version.

Step 1. Open File History.

Go to the Control Panel first, and click the File History.

Step 2. Click the Restore personal files.

Click the Restore personal files on the left list.

Step 3. Restore target files.

The deleted file will appear on your interface and then click the Restore botton.

Or, you could right-click the folder which includes the deleted files and select “Previous Versions”. According to the time, you can get the folder back to a previous date by clicking “Restore”.

Way 4. Seek professional data recovery services

If all else fails, professional data recovery services like Geek Squad is a reliable option. These experts use advanced tools and techniques to recover files from damaged or inaccessible storage devices.

What is a DNG file?

Developed by Adobe Systems, the DNG file format is primarily used for storing camera RAW images. It serves as a Digital Negative, preserving the uncompressed image data captured by a wide range of popular camera models such as Hasselblad and Pentax.

DNG files have gained popularity among professional photographers due to their ability to retain exceptional image quality.

The DNG format was released in September 2004, with the intention of encouraging widespread adoption among camera manufacturers and image-editing software.

By offering a more efficient way for digital photographers, DNG has become a valuable asset in the world of photography and image processing.

How to open DNG files?

Windows users can open DNG camera RAW images using various image-editing such as Microsoft Photos, File Viewer Plus, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop 2023, Adobe Photoshop Elements, ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio, or CyberLink PhotoDirector 365.

Let’s show how to open DNG files created by Sigma cameras via Microsoft Photos.

» Please connect your camera SD card to Windows > open the saved path of your DNG images > right-click on one DNG file > select Open with > Photos.

» For Mac operating systems:

  • Apple Preview
  • Apple Photos
  • Adobe Photoshop 2023
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • MacPhun ColorStrokes
  • CyberLink PhotoDirector 365

Bonus tip: How to prevent DGN files loss

To reduce the risk of losing your precious DNG images and protecting your data, please refer to the following preventive measures.

  • Keep a reliable network connection and utilize a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Source) to prevent data loss during critical situations.
  • Invest in a trustworthy and proven antivirus to protect your files.
  • Consider utilizing Cloud or other online storage services for an additional layer of file backup.
  • Adhere to the manufacturer’s standards when storing your storage devices.
  • Please don’t eject your camera SD card as it reads or transfers data.
  • Make file backups regularly using this free AOMEI Backupper Standard as an integral part of your workflow.

To backup DGN files effectively

This free Windows backup software -  AOMEI Backupper is good at backing up files, folders, partitions, disks, or systems to internal or external hard drives, USBs, Networks, or Cloud drives.

Key features of AOMEI Backupper Standard:✎...   
It supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, and Vista PC. It recognizes different types of SD cards such as SD, SDHC, SDXC, Micro SD, Micro SDHC, and Micro SDXC.
Implementing intelligent backup strategies allows you to create daily incremental backups, effectively conserving storage space.
By scheduling backups, you can ensure the continuous protection of your valuable data.   
Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper on your Windows PC. Under the Backup tab, select the “File Backup” option.

Step 2. Click “Add Folder/Add File” to add the folder or DNG files you intend to back up.

Step 3. Click “Schedule Backup” to enable Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers or USB plug based on your needs. Then click the “Start Backup” button.

Conclusion

What is a DNG files? How to recover DNG files? And how to open deleted DNG images? After reading this passage, you can find the corresponding answers. The best way is to try to recover deleted DNG files using MyRecover, which is an excellent tool with a high success rate in recovering lost data.

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