How to Recover My Files Using CMD?

Data recovery through command prompt

In computing, data recovery means you salvage deleted, inaccessible, lost, corrupted, or formatted data from secondary storage, removable media, or files. Because it’s impossible to extract your data from these devices. We usually get data from internal or external hard disk drives (HDDs), USB flash drives, or magnetic tapes.

Thankfully, the command prompt could address the various data recovery scenarios. You can manage flash drives and hard disks (deleted or formatted partitions) with CMD. One of the most favorable features is file recovery through command prompt. “Wondering how to recover my files using cmd?” Please scroll down.

How to recover my files using CMD?

We prefer to share Windows File Recovery with you for file recovery through command prompt. This official command-line utility is from Microsoft. After learning about Winfr, you might be interested in another free tool in the following part.

File recovery using command prompt with Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is freely available for Windows 10 2004 and later from the Microsoft store without a graphical user interface. Command lines are used to execute orders with this program. You need to enter the corresponding command lines to recover different files such as PDF, ZIP, MP3, etc.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery on your PC.

Step 2. Input the Windows File Recovery in the search box, then "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Run it and check your file system, then select the corresponding mode.

File systems

The following two tips might help you to select a suitable mode.   

★Tips:

 If you deleted your NTFS files recently, the Default mode is your best option.

 Expect for the deleted recent files, you have to use Segmented mode or Signature mode. If you are not sure, you can also choose the Default mode first.

Step 4. You can resemble your command line with General and Advanced syntax. You can find the detailed parameter/switch in Microsoft official support.

For example, if you want to recover Documents from C drive to E drive, the command line is winfr C: E: /n \Users\ \ Documents\

Step 5. Input “y” to continue, then wait for the recovery process to be finished. Your recovered files will be saved in the target drive.

Another efficient way: File recovery with free WinfrGUI

Although there’s no graphical user interface, Windows File Recovery still is a well-powerful application for disk data recovery using the command prompt. Nevertheless, it also renders inconvenience for the public. Luckily, free WinfrGUI (Windows File Recovery GUI) fills this gap.

It’s highly recommended to try WinfrGUI. With a graphical user interface, this creative software has invoked the function of Windows File Recovery. With this pioneering technology, even computer novices can recover the deleted files within simple clicks on Windows 10/11. Here are the relevant steps.

Step 1. Download and install it on your PC. Then select one partition to scan and another partition to save the recovered files.

Step 2. Pick a suitable scan mode according to different file systems: Quick Scan or Deep Scan. Click “Advanced Settings” to choose your needed file types.

Step 3. Click “Start Recovery”. After scanning, your recovered files will be saved in your destination folder on the destination drive.

Recover files with MyRecover 

WinfrGUI indeed can recover your files, but it's impossible to retain its format for the deleted/lost data. If you're unwilling to check the content of files by opening them one by one, MyRecover could save you from it because it even can keep its file name for the deleted files. 

More conveniently, you will not be subjected to the Windows OS using this more user-friendly software. Besides Windows 10/11, it is also compatible with Windows 7/8 and Windows Server. 

Please check the other highlights below.

Step 1. Install and run MyRecover on the computer. 

Step 2. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan to scan.

Step 3. You can see all the deleted files and other lost files after performing Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically. 

Step 4. Check the scanning results and click "Recover x files". Please save these retrieved files in a new location. 

Wrapping up

In this tutorial, you can get how to recover my files using cmd. If you prefer Windows File Recovery, you need to adjust the different command lines for file recovery. The public might tend to select the latter tool.  Windows Data Recovery for Windows is the most comprehensive solution. 

As mentioned above, the command prompt also can recover the deleted or formatted partition. However, it might be annoying for you to recover partitions with complex command lines.

If you want a more convenient solution for partition recovery, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant. This free disk partition management software allows you to Resize/Move Partition, Extend Partition Wizard, Merge Partitions, or Split Partition without data loss.