Disk Doctor: Free Software to Retrieve Lost Data [2024 Tips]

Part 1. What is Disk Doctor

Disk Doctor is a software application designed to assist in cleaning your Mac to liberate storage space. It eliminates cache files and unessential items from your hard drive. Boasting a clear and intuitive user interface along with an impressive range of features, Disk Doctor simplifies the process of optimizing your Mac's memory. It can purge the following types of data:

• Application caches and logs
• Browser data and developer files
• Downloads folder (including mail downloads and incomplete downloads)
• Large files (greater than 100 MB)
• Trash files and outdated software updates

It scans your Mac's primary hard drive to help ensure your computer is operating at optimal performance. After running a scan, you'll see the results organized into categories that you can choose to include or exclude. The limitation of Disk Doctor is that the tool is designed to function solely with your Mac's boot volume. You cannot use it to scan an external drive or free up disk space on one.

Part 2. Disk Doctor Alternative for Windows and Mac

Disk Doctor is a handy tool to have around when you need to free up space on your hard drive. It solely focuses on the cleanup function. If you're looking for a fast way to detect duplicate files or exact copies, you'll need an alternative to Disk Doctor, such as a dedicated duplicate file finder.

1. Alternative to Disk Doctor for Mac

CleanGenius for Mac is the finest optimization software designed to help you tidy up your Mac. It effectively removes all sorts of junk, large, or unnecessary files, freeing up substantial disk space on your Mac's hard drive. The software also empowers users to decide which applications launch automatically each time you start your Mac, giving you control over all startup items. Additionally, it effortlessly identifies duplicate files and aids in uninstalling pointless applications while efficiently managing your disk space. If you're seeking a more robust application, I highly recommend CleanGenius for Mac.

2. Alternative to Disk Doctor for Windows 10

"Disk Doctor does not have a version compatible with Windows. If you wish to download a free Windows equivalent of Disk Doctor, you will need an alternative tool for Windows. One option is to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility, which can help remove unnecessary files from your hard drive and recover disk space. However, if you're seeking additional features, I recommend CleanGenius. This tool not only cleans up junk files from the system, browser, Windows built-in apps, and other applications but also helps free up significant space on your C drive by removing large, unused files."

Step 1. Download and install Partition Master Suite.

Step 2. Click on PC Cleaner and install the CleanGinus tool. Next, click "Cleanup" and then "Scan" to begin cleaning your system and restore your PC to its optimal condition.

Step 3. The software will scan your entire computer to locate idle data files that occupy a large portion of your disk space. You can choose to remove unnecessary large files, system junk files, and Windows invalid entries by clicking "Clean" to initiate the system cleanup process.

Step 4. When the scan is complete, click "Done" to finish cleaning system junk files.

Part 3. Recover Data After Using Disk Doctor (Windows and Mac)

What if Disk Doctor or its alternative accidentally deletes desired files? Is it possible to recover lost files after using Disk Doctor? Yes, it is. You can restore lost data even after utilizing any disk cleanup software.

1. Recover Data from Mac After Using Disk Utility

All you need is Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It is a leading hard disk doctor data recovery software that retrieves deleted or lost files from your MacBook, iMac, hard drive, USB, camera, memory card, SD card, and other storage devices.

• Supported System: macOS and OS X 10.8 or later
• Data Recovery Process: Select Location - Scan - Preview & Recover
• Software Size: 37MB
• Price: $89.95 (Free edition includes 2GB of free data recovery. The Pro version offers unlimited data recovery.)

Download this Mac data recovery software to recover lost data:

Step 1. Search for Missing Files

Select the disk location to search for lost files (this can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external hard drive) where you lost your data and files. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

注意:在进行数据恢复之前，最好从左侧边栏点击“磁盘备份”为您的HDD/SSD创建备份，以防止进一步的数据丢失。备份后，软件可以从您的磁盘备份中恢复数据，您可以再次使用HDD或SSD。

Step 2. Review the scanning results

This software will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display pictures, documents, audio, videos, and emails on the left pane.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover Choose the file(s) you wish to recover and proceed with the recovery process.

Click on the data to preview it, and then hit the "Recover" button to restore them.

2. Recover Data from Windows After Using Cleanup Software (Free)

How to locate free hard disk data recovery software to retrieve all lost data after utilizing cleanup software? In this scenario, you can download the Data Recovery Wizard tool to scan and recover deleted files initially, as data security is of utmost importance.

If you prefer a step-by-step guide, keep reading.

Step 1. Select the drive where you lost your data and click "Scan".

Step 2. Use "Filter" or "Search" to locate the missing files once the scan is complete.

Step 3. Select all the files you wish to recover and click "Recover". Next, choose a different secure location to save them.

If you need to recover more than 2 GB of data, you can purchase the commercial version of Data Recovery Wizard Pro.

Part 4. Additional Information about HDD Doctor

When a hard disk crash occurs due to various reasons like physical failure or logical failure, it can result in significant data loss, causing considerable distress. Below are some primary reasons that might lead to a severe hard disk crash. Understanding these factors can be instrumental in grasping why you have experienced data loss or why your hard disk drive failed: 1. **Physical Damage**: Accidental drops, exposure to extreme temperatures, or vibrations can damage the internal components of the hard drive, leading to a crash. 2. **Mechanical Failure**: Issues with the read/write heads, motor, or other mechanical parts can cause the hard disk to stop functioning properly. 3. **Electrical Surges**: Power fluctuations or electrical storms can damage the sensitive electronic components within the hard drive, resulting in a crash. 4. **Malware or Virus Infection**: Malicious software can corrupt the file system or alter essential system files, making the hard drive inaccessible or causing it to crash. 5. **Bad Sectors**: Over time, hard disks can develop bad sectors, which are areas where data cannot be written or read reliably. As these sectors multiply, they can lead to a crash. 6. **Overheating**: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause the hard drive to overheat, potentially damaging its internal components and causing it to fail. 7. **Human Error**: Accidentally formatting the wrong drive, deleting important files, or improperly shutting down the computer can lead to data loss and a possible hard disk crash. 8. **Software Issues**: Corrupted operating system, driver conflicts, or outdated firmware can contribute to hard disk crashes. 9. **Defective Manufacturing**: Sometimes, hard drives can have defects right from the manufacturing stage, making them prone to crashes. 10. **Overuse or Aging**: Frequent usage and the natural aging process of hardware can eventually wear out the hard disk, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Understanding these reasons can help you take preventive measures, back up your data regularly, and seek timely professional assistance when faced with a hard disk crash.

• The computer failed to boot
• Blue Screen appears upon startup
• The system continuously restarts or gets stuck/frozen
• Error message: "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"
• Error message: "Drive not formatted" or "Operating system not found"
• Unusual grinding noises heard while the hard drive is in operation

What to Do When Your Hard Drive Fails

Upon identifying the drive crash issue from its symptoms, the first step is to determine whether it's caused by a physical or logical failure.

Physical hard disk failure:

Mechanical hard drive failures can involve issues such as heads sticking to the disk platters, head crash, failure of the spindle motor system, or Printed Circuit Board (PCB) failure. These problems can be triggered by various factors including dust, water damage, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. In such instances, the drive is typically diagnosed as experiencing a physical failure, and it is crucial to immediately power down the system. Seeking professional data recovery services from an experienced "disk doctor" is advised, as any further attempts to operate the drive could result in irreversible data loss.

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How to Repair a Corrupted Hard Disk Without Formatting in Windows 10/8/7

This guide will show you five methods to repair a corrupted hard drive without formatting it in Windows 10/8/7. Read more >>

Logical hard disk failure:

A logical hard drive crash means the disk is physically fine but the data is inaccessible. This often results from user errors, software glitches, or virus attacks. If your issue falls under this category – where your hard drive is physically healthy, recognized by your computer's BIOS, but you can't access it – you might not need a professional hard disk 'doctor'. Instead, powerful data recovery software can save the day. For a step-by-step guide, refer to Part 3.

Conclusion

Regardless of the issues you encounter - whether it's data loss due to Disk Doctor or a crashed disk requiring an HDD Disk Doctor, we've got you covered. We offer an alternative to Disk Doctor for cleaning up files and efficient HDD Doctors to recover data after cleanup or HDD failure.

Free Disk Doctor FAQs

Upon learning how to recover data post-Disk Doctor usage, you might have additional queries. Check here to see if you can find your answers:

1. What is the best free data recovery software for PC?

Top 6 Best Free Data Recovery Software:

1. Data Recovery Wizard Tools 2. Recuva 3. Stellar Data Recovery 4. Disk Drill 5. R-Studio 6. Acronis Revive

2. How do you repair a corrupted hard drive?

"To repair HDDs, utilize the free utility Hard Disk Repair Tool:"

1. On your Windows computer, download and install the free hard drive repair tool. 2. Locate your hard drive, right-click on it, and choose "Check File System." 3. The disk repair program will scan and correct any errors found on your hard drive.

3. Is hard disk repair software available for free full version download?

Download free hard drive health evaluation and repair software. Utilize the complimentary tools in a hard disk repair program to rectify a damaged external hard drive or HDD.

4. How to run CHKDSK? To run the CHKDSK utility in Windows, follow these steps: 1. **Open Command Prompt as an Administrator:** - Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" if you're using Windows 10 or later. 2. **Type the CHKDSK command:** - In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, replacing `C:` with the drive letter you want to check: ``` chkdsk C: /f /r ``` - The `/f` flag tells CHKDSK to fix any errors it finds. - The `/r` flag scans for physical disk errors and attempts to recover readable information. 3. **Schedule the scan:** - If the drive is currently in use (e.g., it's your system drive), you'll receive a message that the volume is in use. To schedule CHKDSK to run at the next restart, type: ``` chkdsk C: /f /r /x ``` - The `/x` flag forces the volume to dismount before checking, which allows you to schedule the scan for the next boot. 4. **Restart your computer:** - After scheduling the scan, restart your computer. Windows will automatically run CHKDSK during the startup process. 5. **View the CHKDSK results:** - Once your computer boots up, CHKDSK will display a report of any issues found and actions taken. If there were no issues, it may not show any output. Remember, running CHKDSK on the system drive may take some time, especially if it's a large hard drive or SSD. Be patient, and do not interrupt the process.

1. Press and hold the Windows key, then type "cmd". 2. Right-click on "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator". 3. Execute the following command: chkdsk E: /f /r /x