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Did you somehow delete that file that you really needed? Even if it´s gone from your recycle bin, you might be able to get it back again. Your chances of recovery are best when you do not save any information to your hard drive following the file deletion but before you attempt the file recovery. What you need to recover the file is a utility program called UNDELETE.

Windows 95/98
Windows 95 and Windows 98 included a utility program named UNDELETE.EXE or MWUNDEL.EXE. It might be in your windows directory, or in /windows/misc. You can run a FIND on your system to see if you have it somewhere. If you don´t have a copy, you can download it from the net.

This utility is really easy to use. Let´s say the program is in c:/windows/. You would first go to a command prompt (a DOS prompt) by doing Start - Run - Command. Now navigate your way to where the lost file was. Say it was on a floppy disk, you´d type A: and hit RETURN.

Now, to run the undelete. You can simply have the program look for anything it can try to undelete by doing

C:\windows\undelete.exe

The program will search its current location (the A drive) for any files that it can try to rescue for you. If it finds a file, it´ll ask you if you want to restore that particular file. You can say Yes or No. If you do choose to restore it, it´ll ask for the missing letter in the filename. Simply give it any letter you wish, and voila! The file will be back.

WIN ME/WIN NT/WIN 2000/WIN XP

UNDELETE and MSUNDEL, unfortunately, does not work with WIN ME/WIN NT/WIN 2000/WIN XP because of the complexity of the file structures. You only alternative with these operating systems is to purchase an UNDELETE or File Recovery Program. There are many good choices available but all bear a cost. My own personal preference is Norton Utilities because of the solid reputation and reliability of the Symantic products. Of course this program is the more costly alternative but it does include other utilities that can help you manage your computer system.

Other choices include:

• R-Undelete
• File Scavenger
• Active@Undelete
• Undelete 3.0


Note that all operating systems reuse space they think is not in use. So if you´re trying to recover a file, be careful not to save anything new on your computer during the process, because the thing you are saving might save right on top of where that old file was.

For more information about recovering from system problems see also:
Backing Up Your Hard Drive
Be Like a Boy Scout - Prepare for System Recovery
Understanding Disk Defragmentation

Be sure to also visit our sister site Desk Top Publishing at Bella. You will find a myriad of links and articles about the MS Office Suite and other Microsoft software programs. If you are an Office user this is a must resource.

Please contact your host with any questions. Please also feel free to make any suggestions or contribute a “Unique Technique” Suggestions should be accompanied by your name and title so that I may give the contributor credit.

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