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Recuva
What it is
Recuva is Windows software for recovering deleted files from a computer and connected storage. It can search the Recycle Bin, memory cards, USB drives, external hard drives, digital camera cards, music players, and virtual hard drives. Supported file types include pictures, music, documents, videos, and emails. It works with NTFS, FAT, and exFAT drives, and the listed Windows versions are 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, and XP, including 32-bit and 64-bit editions but not RT tablets. File preview is available. Deep Scan looks for traces of deleted files and may take hours. Recuva can also overwrite deleted files securely, though its support guidance warns against using that option on SSDs. The free plan includes advanced file recovery. Recuva Professional is ₹990 a month and adds virtual hard drive support, automatic updates, and priority support. Recuva is listed for home use; business users are directed to Recuva for Business.
For and against
For
- Recovers several file types from multiple storage sources
- Supports NTFS, FAT, and exFAT drives
- File preview is available
- Free plan includes advanced file recovery
Against
- Listed for Windows only
- Recovery of a whole, usable file is not guaranteed
- Deep Scan may take hours
- Secure deletion may be ineffective or harmful on SSDs
The verdict
Recuva offers a free option for file recovery across Windows computers and several kinds of storage. Check its recovery limits and Windows-only scope before relying on it, and restore recovered files to another drive to reduce the risk of overwriting them.
Who it suits
Recuva suits Windows users trying to recover deleted files from a computer, memory card, or external storage. It is for home use; the listed free and Professional versions are not intended for business use.
Plans and prices
Recuva Free
Advanced file recovery · home use only
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ccleaner.com
Recuva Professional
Advanced file recovery · virtual hard drive support · automatic updates · priority support
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ccleaner.com
On the record
- Business use
- The download page says Recuva Free and Professional are for home use only and points business users to Recuva for Business.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Damaged and formatted drives
- The product page says Recuva can recover files from damaged or newly formatted drives.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Data processing
- The maker's Products Policy says Recuva processes service and device data including IP address, product usage events, license key, OS version, location, application version, install date, and hardware data.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deep Scan
- Deep Scan searches drives for traces of deleted files and can take much longer than a normal scan, possibly hours.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- File types and media
- It can recover pictures, music, documents, videos, emails, and other file types from rewriteable media such as memory cards, external hard drives, and USB sticks.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maker
- CCleaner identifies Recuva as one of its products and says CCleaner became part of Gen in November 2023.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Memory card recovery
- Yesccleaner.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Network and mobile limits
- Recuva cannot recover data over a network or from iOS devices; Android recovery is limited to devices connectable by UMS, which the support page says most Android devices do not use.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Windows 10,8.1,7,Vista and XPccleaner.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- File preview
- Yesccleaner.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Recuva recovers deleted files from Windows computers, recycle bins, digital camera cards, and MP3 players.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Recovery destination
- The support page recommends restoring recovered files to another drive to avoid overwriting the files being recovered.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Recovery limits
- Recuva cannot guarantee that a particular file will be recovered whole and usable, and cannot repair recovered files that are damaged or overwritten.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Secure deletion
- Recuva can securely overwrite deleted files, but its support page says this process should not be used on SSDs because it may be ineffective and could damage the drive.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Recovery sources
- Windows computer,Recycle Bin,memory cards,USB drives,external hard drives,digital camera cards,music players,virtual hard drivesccleaner.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Supported file systems
- Recuva works with NTFS, FAT, and exFAT formatted drives.support.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Windows requirements
- The current download page lists Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, and XP, including 32-bit and 64-bit editions, excluding RT tablet editions.ccleaner.com · read 8 Oct 2026
