Part 1. What is Disk Doctor

Disk Doctor is a software utility designed to assist you in decluttering your Mac and freeing up storage space. It eliminates cache files and unessential items from your hard drive. Boasting a clean and intuitive interface along with an impressive array of functions, Disk Doctor simplifies the process of tidying up 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    • Trash files and outdated software updates

Disk Doctor for mac

It scans your Mac's primary hard drive to 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. It does not allow you to scan external drives and free up disk space on them.

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 solution to swiftly identify duplicate files or exact copies, you'll need a Disk Doctor Alternative.

1. Alternative to Disk Doctor for Mac

CleanGenius for Mac is an excellent optimization tool that assists in cleaning your Mac. It effectively removes all junk files, large files, and unnecessary files, freeing up substantial disk space on your Mac's hard drive. The software also lets users choose which applications启动automatically每次you启动your Mac, giving you control over all startup items. Additionally, it effortlessly identifies duplicate files and aids in uninstalling unproductive applications while efficiently managing your disk space. If you're seeking a more robust application, CleanGenius for Mac is my recommended choice.

disk doctor alternative for mac

2. Alternative to Disk Doctor for Windows

Disk Doctor does not have a version for Windows. If you wish to clean up junk files on Windows 10/8/7, you would require an alternative to Disk Doctor for Windows. One option is to use the built-in utility, Disk Cleanup, which can help remove unnecessary files from your hard drive and free up disk space. However, if you're looking for additional features, I recommend using CleanGenius. This tool not only cleans junk files from the system, browser, Windows built-in apps, and other applications but also efficiently manages to clean up large, unused files, thereby easily increasing space on your C drive.

Step 1. Download and install Partition Master Suite.

Download and install CleanGenius

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

system cleanup step 1

Step 3. The software will scan your entire computer to find idle data files that take up a lot of disk space. You can select useless large files, system junk files, and Windows invalid entries, then click "Clean" to initiate the system cleanup process.

system cleanup step 2

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

system cleanup step 3

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 retrieve lost data even after utilizing any disk cleaning software.

1. Recover Data from Mac After Using Disk Utility

All you need is Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. This is one of the leading data recovery software solutions 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

Choose the disk location to search for missing 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.

Recover Data Step1

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.

Recover Data Step2

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover

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

Recover Data Step3

2. Recover Data from Windows After Using Cleaning 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 initially scan and recuperate the data, as ensuring data security is paramount.

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

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

select and scan the hard drive

Step 2. After the scan is complete, use "Filter" or "Search" to locate the missing files.

Preview lost hard drive data

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

recover data from hard drive

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

Part 4. Additional Information on Hard Drive Failure

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 reasons can be highly beneficial in comprehending why you have experienced data loss or why your hard disk drive failed: 1. **Physical Damage**: Accidental drops, exposure to extreme temperatures, or internal component failures can cause physical damage to the hard disk, leading to a crash. 2. **Electrical Issues**: Power surges, voltage fluctuations, or power outages can disrupt the disk's operation, potentially causing corruption or complete failure. 3. **Overheating**: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause the hard disk to overheat, resulting in performance degradation or failure. 4. **Malware or Virus Attacks**: Infections from malware or viruses can corrupt the file system or important system files, making the hard disk unreadable or unbootable. 5. **Bad Sectors**: Over time, hard disks can develop bad sectors, which are unable to store data reliably. When the number of bad sectors increases, it can lead to a crash. 6. **Human Error**: Accidentally deleting critical files, formatting the wrong partition, or incorrect configuration of the disk can lead to data loss and potential crashes. 7. **Defective Components**: Manufacturing defects or worn-out parts, such as the read-write heads or the motor, can cause the hard disk to fail. 8. **Fragmentation**: Excessive fragmentation of files on the hard disk can slow down its performance and eventually contribute to a crash if not resolved. 9. **Operating System Corruption**: Corruptions in the operating system or system files can lead to boot issues, rendering the hard disk useless. 10. **Exhausted Lifetime**: Hard disks have a limited lifespan, and after prolonged usage, they may reach their end-of-life, resulting in a crash. By being aware of these potential causes, you can take preventive measures to minimize the risk of hard disk crashes and protect your valuable data. Regular backups, keeping the system updated, and maintaining a clean and cool environment for your hard disk are essential steps to avoid data loss.

    • The computer failed to boot
    • Blue Screen appears upon startup
    • The system constantly reboots in a loop or becomes unresponsive
    • Error message displayed: "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"
    • Error message displayed: "Drive not formatted" or "Operating system not found"
    • Hearing grinding sounds while the hard drive is in operation

What to Do When Your Hard Drive Fails

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

hard disk crashed

Physical hard disk failure:

Mechanical hard drive failures can include issues such as heads sticking to the disk platters, head crash, failure of the spindle motor system, or Printed Circuit Board (PCB) failure. These malfunctions can be triggered by various factors like dust, water damage, humidity, or high temperatures. In such instances, it is typically identified as a physical hard drive failure. It is crucial to promptly shut down the system and seek professional data recovery services from an experienced technician, as any further attempt to operate the drive could result in irreversible data loss.

Also read: How to repair a corrupted hard disk without formatting

Logical hard disk failure:

A logical hard drive crash refers to a situation where the disk is physically undamaged, but the data becomes inaccessible. This typically results from human error, software issues, or virus attacks. If your hard drive is experiencing a logical failure – meaning it's recognized by your computer's BIOS but you can't access the data – you might not need to seek professional help, saving you both time and money. Instead, you can use powerful data recovery software. 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 hard drive needing an HDD disk doctor, we've got you covered. We offer Disk Data alternatives for file cleanup and efficient HDD doctors to recover data after cleanup or HDD failure.