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Recovering Deleted Linux Files for Free – Best Tools to Get It Over Within a Heartbeat

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

"I have accidentally deleted Linux files! My work has just gone down the drain! Is there a way to get them back somehow?"

Failing to access important data saved on your Linux operated computer storage can be a pain in the neck. Whether it is due to accidental (or permanent) file removal, a virus attack, an error message, or for whatever other reason, the damage caused could be indeed irrecoverable. The sad news is that taking precautionary measures is merely an option given that most reasons that lead to the deletion of Linux files are more of an instantaneous accident. What you CAN do, though, is use a Linux free data recovery tool to help get everything back on track with your lost data.

Part 1: Is it possible to Recover Deleted Files in Linux?

The truth is that if you accidentally delete files in Linux and you can't find them in the trash, there is probably no need to panic. If you don't write onto the drive itself, chances are your file still exists someplace. It has just been dumped off a list but not completely gone. Even you do write on the drive, deleted files can sit on your drive. This, of course, depends on the free space on your drive and the size of the file. So, the only concern is how to recover it and ensure it is usable in every practical sense (meaning, you can print, edit or open it like with any saved/stored file).

So, overall, even if you empty Trash or delete a file using the Delete or "shift+delete" option, the content of your file is NOT destroyed on your storage media, your hard disk included. With the appropriate Linux data recovery software (free download), you will still be able to recover lost files.


Part 2: 5 Great Tools for Free Linux Deleted Files Recovery

Of the many Linux free data recovery tools available online, the five that stand out for their reliability and excellent results are as follows:

1# Mondo Rescue

One of the best Linux data recovery tools with free download and tens of thousands of users already. It can be run on all major Linux distributions and helps restore files and verify the reliability of a computer (any computer). Before it formats the drive(s), Mondo Rescue reorganizes partitions. Also, it allows you to back up a system that is you are currently operating in a specific format and then restore it as another format. As for the file systems supported by Mondo, these include XFS, VFAT, ReiserFS, ext3, ext2, JFS, LVM, RAID, and more.

2# TestDisk

The majority of Linux distributions already have the TestDisk tool installed in their official repository. It is a data recovery Linux free software that will enable you to retrieve files that are somehow inaccessible (i.e., due to corrupted drive). This open-source data retrieval application can also help turn a disk that is not booting because of defective software, human error, virus attack, or another reason, to a bootable one while restoring lost file storage partitions. It is compatible with many OS, Linux included, and can recognize many Linux disk partitions (i.e., the table of GUID or the map of Apple partitions).

3# safe copy

Another data recovery software for Linux (free download) with the potential to get most of the data back from a spoiled drive. It is written using the C programming language and is capable of operating on the background without making the computer sluggish. Moreover, you may share large folders or files with a private sharing link option. Finally, it is a free Linux data recovery software that you can install on several computers without extra costs.

4# PhotoRec

This free data recovery Linux tool can recover lost files from CDRom, digital camera, hard drive, and other storage media. It is a free tool that ships with TestDisk and goes directly after the underlying data, ignoring the file system. This means that even if your media's file system has been reformatted or damaged, PhotoRec will still work. For enhanced safety, this tool handles the memory card or the drive using read-only access so that you can safely recover lost data from the drive or memory card. Plus, it can make a non-bootable disk into perfectly functioning again.

5# ddrescue

Ddrescue is one of the best free Linux data recovery software that can rescue data by copying files from a hard drive or CD-ROM to another internal or external device when read errors occur. It can either be purchased as s single bootable CD or a fragment of a multi-boot or recovery distro package. Also, Ddrescue merges several different impaired file or disk copies while reducing redundant scanning.


Part 3. Best Linux Data Recovery Software Recommended

Already trusted by more than five million users with data loss issues, Recoverit Data Recovery is probably the best of all free data recovery tools available right now. It can help rescue from deleted emails and audios to photos, files, and videos and restore them to you from a wide range of storage media, including hard drive, Mc, PC, SD card, and more. Plus, it will scan and preview your files for free before recovering them. The best thing about Recoverit is that it will restore your lost data with only three steps.

deleted data recovery

Recoverit Data Recovery - The Best Linux File Recovery Software

  • Recover lost or deleted files, photos, audio, music, emails from any storage device effectively, safely and completely.
  • Supports data recovery from recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera and camcorders.
  • Supports to recover data for sudden deletion, formatting, lost partition, virus attack, system crash under different situations.
  • Supports data recovery from Windows, Mac, NAS, and Linux device, etc.

Step 1. Launching the software

After downloading Recoverit Data Recovery, find the app on your desktop and launch it to start the recovery. Tap NAS and Linux option from the sidebar.

recoverit interface

Step 2. Start Scanning

After that, select the Linux Recovery option from the app. Here, it will ask for the information of the device where your data was lost. Fill in the information as required and hit "Connect" to let the scanning process get started. This is an all-around scan that will be completed within a few minutes (could last up to a few hours if scanning large files).

operations during scanning

If you need to make amendments or pause the scanning process, you may as well do so by selecting to pinpoint files by File Path or file Type or even stop/pause the scan at any given time.

Step 3. Preview, confirm, & recover files

One of the best features of Recoverit is that you can stop the scanning process at any time you need. You may have been provided with a list of restorable files now. Tick the ones you wish to retrieve, preview and confirm them, and initiate the recovery phase by hitting "Recover". You can get back almost all common types of files, from audio and images to emails and documents. At last, follow Recoverit to select the path to save the files.

preview recovered photos

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Files on Linux?

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Some Final Thoughts

Do give some or all of these Linux data recovery tools (free of charge) a shot and see which one best suits your case.

No matter which free data recovery tool for Linux you choose to use, do share this article to help others in a similar position as you retrieve their lost data and get their lives back on track again!

Recoverit author

Amy Dennis

staff Editor

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