How to Use Raidlabs File Uneraser — Step-by-Step TutorialRaidlabs File Uneraser is a file recovery tool designed to help you restore accidentally deleted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, and memory cards. This step-by-step tutorial covers preparation, installation, scanning, recovery, and post-recovery tips so you can maximize your chances of retrieving lost data.
Before you begin — important precautions
- Stop using the affected drive immediately. Continued use can overwrite deleted files and reduce recovery chances.
- Work from a separate system or another drive whenever possible. Install Raidlabs File Uneraser on a different drive than the one you need to recover files from.
- Do not recover files back to the same drive you’re scanning; save recovered files to a different physical disk or external drive.
- If files are critical, consider professional help. If the drive shows hardware failure (clicks, strange noises) or files are extremely important, consult data-recovery professionals to avoid further damage.
Step 1 — Download and install Raidlabs File Uneraser
- Visit the official Raidlabs website or the vendor’s trusted download page.
- Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows/macOS if available).
- Download the installer to a different drive than the one you want to recover from.
- Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts. When prompted for installation location, select a drive other than the affected one.
Step 2 — Launch the program and choose the target drive
- Open Raidlabs File Uneraser. Administrative privileges may be required — grant them if prompted.
- In the main interface, you’ll see a list of connected drives and volumes. Identify the drive or partition that contained the deleted files.
- Select the target drive. If the drive isn’t visible, ensure it’s connected and powered on; for external devices, try different USB ports or cables.
Step 3 — Select scan type (Quick vs Deep)
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Quick Scan:
- Use this first. It’s faster and searches file system records for recently deleted entries.
- Best for recently deleted files and when the file system is intact.
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Deep (Full) Scan:
- Performs a sector-level scan and attempts to reconstruct files from raw data signatures.
- Slower but more thorough; use when Quick Scan doesn’t find what you need or the file system is damaged.
Choose Quick Scan initially; if results are incomplete, run a Deep Scan afterward.
Step 4 — Configure scan options
- File types: If the software allows filtering, select only the types you need (e.g., .docx, .jpg, .mp4). This speeds up scanning and reduces clutter.
- Scan range: If you know the approximate location or partition, narrow the scan range.
- Pause/Resume: Note whether the program supports pausing and resuming scans — useful for long deep scans.
Step 5 — Run the scan and review results
- Start the scan and wait. Deep scans can take hours depending on drive size and health.
- While scanning, Raidlabs File Uneraser will populate a results pane with recoverable files and folders.
- Use built-in preview features (if available) to verify file integrity before recovery — preview images, text files, and sometimes video/audio.
- Use filters and search to find specific filenames, extensions, or dates.
Step 6 — Recover files safely
- Select the files/folders you want to restore. Prioritize the most important ones first.
- Choose a recovery destination on a different physical drive or an external storage device.
- Start recovery. Monitor progress and check recovered files after completion.
- If some recovered files are corrupted, try recovering them again from the scan results or run a deeper scan.
Step 7 — Verify recovered files and organize backups
- Open recovered files to ensure they aren’t corrupted and that content is intact.
- Rename and organize recovered data immediately to avoid confusion.
- Implement a backup strategy: regular backups to external drives or cloud storage will prevent future data loss.
Troubleshooting common issues
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Drive not detected:
- Check cables, ports, and power. Try connecting to another computer.
- If the drive is physically damaged (no spin, unusual noises), stop and seek professional help.
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Few or no files found:
- Run a Deep Scan.
- Ensure you scanned the correct partition or the entire disk.
- If files were overwritten long ago, recovery may be impossible.
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Recovered files are corrupted:
- Try different preview/recovery options; sometimes file fragments can be reassembled differently.
- Use specialized repair tools (e.g., photo/music/video repair utilities) for partially damaged files.
Tips for best results
- Act quickly after deletion. The sooner you scan, the better the chance of full recovery.
- Avoid installing or downloading large files to the affected drive.
- If you must use the system, perform recovery from a bootable rescue environment or another OS installation.
- Keep a record of scan sessions and what you recovered to avoid duplicate work.
When to contact professionals
- The drive makes unusual noises, won’t spin, or is not recognized by multiple systems.
- The data is extremely valuable (legal, financial, irreplaceable personal files) and standard software recovery fails.
- You need forensic-level recovery for legal or investigative purposes.
Summary
Using Raidlabs File Uneraser effectively requires stopping use of the affected drive, installing the software to a different disk, starting with a Quick Scan, moving to a Deep Scan if needed, previewing results, and recovering files to a separate drive. Verify recovered files and set up regular backups to reduce future risk.
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