Mirror Mode Sync Error: How to Recover Deleted Files?

[mirkotec]

Hello everybody. I used FreeFileSync in mirror mode with a blank external hard drive, but I accidentally reversed the source and destination folders (using the external drive as the source and D:\Pictures as the destination).

As a result, the D:\Pictures folder was deleted permanently (hopefully not) because bigger than trash bin limit (45 GB). I’d like to understand: did this actually rewrite the disk, or was it just a deletion that allows me to recover the deleted files?

Any comment could be important. Thanks a lot for your help!

[xCSxXenon]

viewtopic.php?t=11229&hilit=data+recovery#p43273
viewtopic.php?t=10182&hilit=data+recovery#p37890
viewtopic.php?t=10130&hilit=data+recovery#p37633
viewtopic.php?t=9058&hilit=data+recovery#p32713
viewtopic.php?t=8653&hilit=data+recovery#p30719
viewtopic.php?t=8434&hilit=data+recovery#p29587
viewtopic.php?t=12636&hilit=data+recovery#p48967
viewtopic.php?t=12559&hilit=data+recovery#p48600
viewtopic.php?t=11961&hilit=data+recovery#p46538

[mirkotec]

Thank you. I will read those links as I can.

[mirkotec]

Hello xCSxXenon. I'm exactly in those situations.

I don't have my laptop at the moment since after one day of attempts with Tenorshare 4DDiG and Recuva I gave to a pc repair shop of my area (Italy). After some days they told me they couldn't get the data back so I'm going to take my laptop back. I want to seek professional help of higher level, like data recovery centers but I don't know how can I recognize more professional and reliable from the others. Is there a way? If I talk to any of professionals is there any technique they use that represent an evidence that they're doing at a high and pro level?

[DrCeeVee]

Hello @mirkotec,

I recommend you try R-UNDELETE (https://www.r-undelete.com). There is a free version, called R-Undelete Home, and a paid version, called R-UNDELETE (note the all-capitals). The paid version has the most capabilities.

It has a "detailed scan" mode, that can recover files that normal undelete s/w often can't. You can also specify the file type/extension (e.g., photos, *.jpg, etc.). It can take a long time to scan the hard drive, but it does the job, at least it did for me, the few times I've tried it many years ago. If your photos are very important, it's worth a try before you take your hard drive to a data recovery company, which will cost you much more. Try the free version first, I think it has a size limit to the recovered files, but you can tell if it can find them, so you can then purchase the paid version to do the actual recovery.

In any case, absolutely do not write anything to the hard drive — only scan it. I hope you are able to recover the files. I've been there and I know how frustrating it can be. I've just registered to this forum, just to reply to your post. Good luck!

Note: I'm not affiliated in any way with the makers of R-UNDELETE, I'm speaking from experience using their s/w many years ago.

[mirkotec]

Thank you DrCeeVee, I will take a look.