Although Microsoft has ended its support for Windows 7, many people still prefer using it. If you're one of them, stay with us. We've gathered the 10 best data recovery software for Windows 7 to keep your personal data safe.

When you lose important files on Windows 7, don't worry. Just opt for one of the best Windows 7 data recovery software and get your files back immediately.

How do I recover my data in Windows 7?

On January 14, 2020, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 7. Does this mean that it's easier to lose files in the Win7 system? How should I recover data from Win7 if I accidentally delete, format, suffer virus infection, or encounter other system errors leading to data loss?

With its robust security features, Windows 7 has many loyal users. But without new security updates, the operating system is no longer as safe as it once was.

As a result, vulnerabilities in Windows 7 PCs and laptops will go unpatched, leaving them vulnerable to viruses and data loss. In addition, there will be an increased risk of unintended system crashes, formatting, deletion errors, and disk issues. In short, the risk of data loss will mount as support for Windows 7 wanes.

Fortunately, professional Windows 7/8/10 data recovery software - Data Recovery Wizard and other 9 data recovery tools can easily protect and recover your Windows 7 data.

Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software for Windows 7 in 2022 [Free Download]

There's no need to worry about losing data or not being able to protect important files on Windows 7. Here, we've gathered the top 10 best data recovery software for Windows 7 in 2022, from which you can choose to easily safeguard your Windows 7 data:

Each of the above data recovery software has its own pros and cons. Check out the features of each software in detail and choose the most suitable one to recover your lost Windows 7 files.

You may also be interested in: Top 5 Best Mac Data Recovery Software

The first would make it easier for users of all versions of Windows 7 to recover files.

# 1. Tool: Data Recovery Wizard

As one of the best data recovery software for Windows, Data Recovery Wizard has been serving all Windows OS users, including Windows 7, to get their lost and hidden files back from complicated situations.

With over 15 years of experience in data recovery, Data Recovery Wizard employs an advanced recovery algorithm and an intuitive interface to simplify the data recovery process in just 3 easy steps.

Watch this video to see what the Data Recovery Wizard can do for you in the latest update:

Advantages:

    • Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP; Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008/2003.
    • Recovers all types of files, including documents, images, videos, audio files, emails, and more.
    • Restores files lost due to emptying the Recycle Bin, permanent deletion, formatting, system crash, OS reinstallation, or virus infections.
    • Data recovery from RAW or inaccessible hard drives, local disks, as well as USB drives, SD cards, and other removable storage devices.
    • Repairs corrupted MP4/MOV videos and damaged JPEG photos.

Disadvantages:

    • The trial version needs to be activated to recover files.

(If the files you need to recover are less than 2 GB in total, you can use the Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition tool.)

Get back lost files with 100% safe Data Recovery Software for Windows 7 with just a few simple clicks.

# 2. Recuva

Piriform Recuva has enjoyed a good reputation ever since its release many years ago. Upon its debut, Recuva instantly gained a massive fan base due to its powerful data recovery capabilities. Despite its outdated design, Recuva effectively recovers deleted files from the recycle bin, local hard drives, external hard drives, USBs, SD cards, and more.

This image displays the logo for "Recuva," a data recovery software. As it is an image, a direct Chinese translation cannot be generated. However, a textual description in Chinese could be: "此图展示了一款名为'Recuva'的数据恢复软件,它被认为是最佳的数据恢复软件之一。"

Advantages:

    - Supports file recovery, including images, music, documents, videos, etc. - Recovers files from damaged or reformatted drives. - Supports secure deletion of files, overwriting the device. - Compatible with operating systems such as Windows 7/Vista/XP, 2003, 2000, etc.

Disadvantages:

    - Outdated interface. - No file preview after scanning. - Incompatible with Windows 10/8.1/8.

# 3. Recover My Files

"Recover My Files" is an old but feature-packed data recovery software developed by GetData. With over 18 years of experience in data recovery, Recuva makes it easy for average users to restore files from hard drives, SD cards, USB drives, and other storage devices.

With its simple usage, the software lets users retrieve lost data through two modes – Recover Files and Recover Drives. Additionally, its reliable performance in file recovery has won it many accolades from Windows 7 users.

Recover My Files

Advantages:

    • Retrieve lost or deleted files, as well as files emptied from the Recycle Bin. • Supports disk recovery after formatting, reinstallation of Windows, system restore, disk damage, or lost drive letters. • Supports classification of found files by date. • Compatible with Windows 7/Vista/XP, 2003/2008.

Disadvantages:

    The interface looks outdated. The recovery process isn't very straightforward. It doesn't support Windows 10/8.1/8.

#4. OnTrack EasyRecovery Translation: #4. OnTrack EasyRecovery (Note: OnTrack EasyRecovery is a data recovery software, and the link directs to its official website's Windows version page.)

OnTrack EasyRecovery is a data recovery software designed specifically for Windows users, aiming to help restore data that has been lost, deleted, or made inaccessible due to various reasons. Even novices unfamiliar with Windows 7 can easily recover all their lost files like professionals.

OnTrack EasyRecovery

Advantages:

    • Rapid and efficient file recovery.
    • Restore files from damaged, corrupted, deleted, or formatted drives.
    • Repair corrupted or damaged video files.
    • Supports file recovery on Windows 10/8/8.1/Vista/XP.

Disadvantages:

  • Home edition does not support Lost Partition Recovery and RAW Recovery.
  • Both Home and Free editions do not support Video and Photo Repair.
  • The software is made by Stellar.

5. Disk Drill for Windows

Similar to “Recover My Files,” Disk Drill is a sophisticated data recovery app produced by the US-based company Cleverfiles. While it has a long history in data recovery, Disk Drill sports a stylish Mac OS interface.

Recently, Disk Drill for Windows received a new interface similar to that of the Windows data recovery software. It allows regular users to recover lost files from Windows 7/8/10 local drives and external storage devices with ease.

Disk Drill for Windows

Advantages:

    • Supports data protection and backup drives
    • Recovers data from various storage devices, including SSD, built-in HDD, external USB, SD cards, CF cards, and more.
    • Works on Windows 7/Vista/XP and recovers files on Windows 10/8.1/8.
    • Allows free recovery of up to 500 MB of files.

Disadvantages:

    • The Pro version is a bit pricier, at $89.
    • Data analysis and recovery take longer than with some competitors.

#6. Stellar Data Recovery

Stellar Data Recovery software is developed by the Indian homegrown innovators at Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. With years of experience, Stellar Data Recovery is capable of tackling complex data loss issues from various storage devices, including SD cards, USB drives, and external portable hard disks.

Stellar Data Recovery

Advantages:

    • Recover deleted photos, videos, and other important files.
    • Support for system that won't boot and lost partition recovery.
    • Data recovery from encrypted drives.
    • Data recovery from CDs/DVDs.
    • Compatible with Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista operating systems.

Disadvantages:

    Newcomers might be confused by their first “Choose What to Restore” screen.

#7. Data Rescue 5 for Windows Data Rescue 5 for Windows is a data recovery software designed for the Windows operating system. It enables users to recover accidentally deleted, formatted, or damaged files from various types of storage devices. The software offers powerful scanning and recovery capabilities, supports multiple file types, and features a user-friendly interface, making the data recovery process more straightforward.

Data Rescue 5 for Windows is primarily used to recover photos, videos, and documents from external or internal hard drives on Windows-based personal computers. While it's a data recovery app, Data Rescue also allows users to create a clone of a drive in anticipation of a failing one, thus saving all the data that's on it.

Data Rescue 5 for Windows

Advantages:

    Supports 3 recovery modes – Quick File Recovery, Explore Scan Results, and Clone. Data recovery for Windows 7 and later versions. Scans and recovers files from internal/external hard drives, USB devices, and SD cards.

Disadvantages:

    • Limited to five disk recoveries. • Free version does not recover files.

#8. R-Studio for Windows

R-Studio for Windows is regarded as a disk recovery software and hard drive recovery tool. With over 20 years of experience in data recovery, it demonstrates professional and powerful capabilities in retrieving files from various storage devices and situations.

It can recover data from local and external drives for users of the Windows 7 operating system, as well as from computers connected via LAN or the Internet.

R-Studio for Windows

Advantages:

    • Recovers files from NTFS, NTFS5, FAT12/16/32, exFAT, HFS/HFS+, Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 partitions.
    • Sustains file recovery on RAW, damaged, or unknown file system devices.
    • Restores deleted, formatted, or corrupted files from both local and network drives.
    • Recovers files erased due to virus attacks or power failures.
    • Supports operating systems including Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, etc.

Disadvantages:

    The interface can be somewhat daunting for beginners.

#9. PhotoRec

PhotoRec is a file recovery software designed to restore deleted files, videos, and documents from hard drives, memory cards, and other devices. It primarily works by accessing the drive or memory card with a read-only approach to recover lost photos.

PhotoRec for Windows

Advantages:

    • Open-source and free software. • Supports file recovery on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

Disadvantages:

    • The interface is too complex for beginners.
    • The interface includes a command line.
    • It is not suitable for beginners.

#10. TestDisk

Like PhotoRec, TestDisk is designed as open source software, thereby allowing Windows 7 users to recover lost partitions or make unbootable disks bootable again, free of charge.

TestDisk for Windows

Advantages:

    • Restore deleted partitions and fix the partition table.
    • Recover files from devices with FAT, exFAT, NTFS, and ext2 file systems.
    • Rebuild FAT12/16/32 boot sector.
    • Supports Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

Disadvantages:

    • Command-line interface.
    • Complicated; not beginner-friendly.
    • Limited file-recovery capabilities.

Quick Tip: Three Steps to Recovering a File in Windows 7

Though there is no inbuilt Data Recovery Wizard tool in Windows 7, Windows 7 users can consider applying Data Recovery Wizard tool to restore all lost files from data loss disasters that occur quite often.

If you need a simple and effective way to recover your files, then Data Recovery Wizard is one tool that you cannot afford to miss.

It simplifies the entire data-recovery process into three steps:

Note: To ensure a higher chance of data recovery, do not install the data recovery tool on the same disk where you lost your files. Install it on a different disk instead.

Step 1. Launch the Disk Drill data recovery wizard on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 computer. Select the disk partition or storage location where you lost your files and click “Search for lost data”.

Select the disk to scan on Windows

Step 2: The recovery software will start scanning the disk to find all lost and deleted files. Once done, click on “Filter” > “By Type” to specify the type of lost file.

Select the type of data to recover

Step 3: Preview and recover lost Windows files. You can double-click to preview the scanned files. Then, select the target data and click the "Recover" button to save them to another secure location on your computer or an external storage device.

Recover Lost Data from Windows 10

Note that if you are attempting to recover files from a problematic device, you should save the recoverable data to a secure location before attempting to restore the device to a working state.

Bonus Tip: How to Protect and Prevent Further Data Loss in Windows 7

Data recovery is a remedy after a disaster strikes. Prevention is always better. Here are some additional tips for protecting your data under Windows 7:

1. Back up your important data

To minimize the possibility of losing important files in Windows 7, it's best to regularly back up your system and important files using Windows 7's built-in backup and restore feature or a third-party free backup software like Todo Backup Free.

#2. Do the operation right

Properly handling operations is essential for protecting data on Windows 7 computers and other types of storage devices. Review the following list, and carefully follow each tip when using your device and computer:

    • Regularly run antivirus software to remove malware and viruses. • Carefully insert and eject storage devices. • Properly shut down your computer. • Use the appropriate file system for different storage devices – NTFS for hard drive partitions, FAT32 for USBs and SD cards smaller than 32 GB, and exFAT for external devices larger than 64 GB.

#3. Download Windows 7 Data Recovery Software for Disaster Recovery

It is wise to download Advanced Data Recovery Software for Windows 7 on your computer.

As you know, there're always some unexpected situations causing data loss on your device. By doing so, you provide double protection for your critical data. In addition, Data Recovery Wizard is always a good helper to guard your data in Windows 7.

Conclusions

On this page, you'll discover the 10 best data recovery software for Windows 7, including tools like Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Data Recovery, Recover My Files, Disk Drill, and Recuva.

Each of them has its own unique file-recovery features, so it's up to you to choose the most effective and secure one to protect and retrieve your lost files.

"People are also asking."

Aside from data recovery software, you may have more questions about data recovery on Windows 7. Don't worry. Here, we've listed quick answers to some common questions about Windows 7.

I hope these answers are also helpful to you.

< strong > 1. How can I recover my files after formatting Windows 7?

Generally, when you format the hard drive or partition on Windows 7, there are two ways for you to recover files.

One way is to recover from a backup.

Step 1: Launch the Windows 7 backup feature or perform a system restore.

Step 2: Choose to restore lost files from a backup you've previously created, or have Windows 7 return to a previous state.

Another method is to use a reliable file recovery software, such as the Data Recovery Wizard tool:

Step 1: Run the tool – Data Recovery Wizard.

Step 2: Select the formatted device to scan for your files.

Step 3: Preview and recover the formatted files.

2. How can I recover my data for free?

There are three ways you might be able to get it back for free:

    If you have a backup of the lost data, you can restore it for free from the backup. If not, try checking your computer's recycle bin. If that doesn't work, you may want to seek help from free data recovery software.

How to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 7?

There are two ways to recover permanently deleted files:

Restore from backup.

2) If you don't have a backup, you can try using a reliable file recovery software for Windows 7 (see recommendations on this page).

4. Why do files get lost from Windows 7?

Here is a list of common reasons for missing files, which we recommend you familiarize yourself with to reduce the likelihood of errors when using Windows 7:

    • File deletion and hard drive formatting
    • Damaged or lost file system structure
    • System shutdowns or application failures
    • Virus or worm infections or damage
    • Boot issues
    • Corrupted or deleted partition structure
    • Computer power failures or surges

If file loss happens inevitably, don't panic. Don't use your device and opt for a data recovery software for Windows 7 to get back your lost files immediately.