If you keep backups, website packages, or Linux project exports on your D partition, losing them can be worrying. The good news is that it is often possible to recover TAR.GZ /.TGZ from D Drive after accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption. This guide explains typical data loss causes, simple Windows checks you can try first, and how to use professional recovery software to bring your compressed archives back safely.

Try Recoverit to Recover Lost Data

article-safe-itemSecurity Verified. Over 7,302,189 people have downloaded it.

In this article
    1. Method 1. Check Recycle Bin and File History
    2. Method 2. Use Previous Versions and Backups

Why TAR.GZ Data Gets Lost?

Before you try to recover TAR.GZ /.TGZ from D Drive, it helps to understand how the archives disappeared. Different scenarios need different approaches.

Common reasons TAR.GZ and TGZ archives disappear

  • Accidental deletion: You pressed Shift + Delete, cleared the Recycle Bin, or removed the wrong folder from D.
  • Drive or partition formatting: D drive was reformatted during Windows installation or disk repartitioning.
  • File system corruption: Sudden power loss, improper shutdown, or unsafe removal of an external D drive can damage NTFS, making folders look empty or inaccessible.
  • Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software may hide, encrypt, or delete compressed archives.
  • Bad sectors or hardware issues: Aging disks can develop unreadable sectors where your TAR.GZ or TGZ archives used to reside.

Types of data loss affecting TAR.GZ /.TGZ files

  • Logical deletion: The files are not visible in Windows Explorer, but their data may still be present on the disk and recoverable.
  • Partition loss: The D drive itself disappears, shows as RAW, or prompts you to format it.
  • Partial or corrupted archives: TAR.GZ or TGZ files appear but will not open or extract properly due to damage.
  • Overwrite scenarios: New data saved to D may reuse disk space previously occupied by your archives, reducing the chances of full recovery.

How To Recover Lost TAR.GZ from D Drive?

When you notice missing compressed archives, stop copying new files to D and try these simple options first to recover TAR.GZ /.TGZ from D Drive without advanced tools.

Method 1. Check Recycle Bin and File History

This is the quickest way to get back recently deleted TAR.GZ or TGZ files if you did not use Shift + Delete.

Step 1. Restore from Recycle Bin

  • Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
  • Type ".tar.gz" or ".tgz" in the search box to filter results.
  • Right-click the desired archives and choose Restore to send them back to their original path on D drive.

Step 2. Recover via Windows File History (if enabled)

  • Connect the backup drive you used for File History, if applicable.
  • Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
  • Click Restore personal files, browse to your D drive folders, and look for backup copies of your TAR.GZ and TGZ archives.
  • Select the required versions and click the green Restore button.

Method 2. Use Previous Versions and Backups

Windows "Previous Versions" and manual backups (such as external drives or cloud storage) are helpful when local copies on D are missing or broken.

Step 1. Restore from Previous Versions

  • In File Explorer, right-click the D drive folder where the archives were stored and choose Restore previous versions.
  • Wait for Windows to list available restore points or shadow copies.
  • Select a date when you know the TAR.GZ or TGZ archives still existed.
  • Click Open to confirm the files are there, then use Copy to save them to another safe location or Restore to overwrite the current folder.

Step 2. Check external and cloud backups

  • Review backups on external HDDs, NAS devices, or USB drives where you may have archived your compressed files.
  • Log in to any cloud storage accounts (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) and search for TAR.GZ or TGZ packages.
  • Download or copy the required archives to a different partition than D to avoid further overwriting.

If these easy methods do not locate your missing archives, you will need professional data recovery software to scan the D drive at a deeper level.

How to Use Recoverit to Recover Lost TAR.GZ from D Drive?

When manual checks fail, a dedicated tool like Wondershare Recoverit can dramatically improve your chances of retrieving deleted or lost TAR.GZ and TGZ archives from D drive. Recoverit is designed for both beginners and advanced users, with a guided interface and powerful scan engine. You can get it from the Recoverit official website and install it on a drive other than D to keep your lost data safe.

  • Supports recovery of compressed archives like TAR.GZ, TGZ, ZIP, and more from multiple storage devices.
  • Performs deep scanning on deleted, formatted, or corrupted partitions on Windows and macOS.
  • Lets you preview found items and selectively restore only the archives you need.

Steps to Recover TAR.GZ /.TGZ from D Drive

Follow these steps to scan your D drive and restore lost compressed archives safely.

Step 1. Choose a Location to Recover Data

  • Install and launch Recoverit on your computer, preferably on the C drive or another non-affected partition.
  • On the main interface, under Hard Drives and Locations, locate your D drive in the list of available partitions.
  • Select the D drive where TAR.GZ and TGZ archives were stored, then click Start so Recoverit can prepare and begin the scan.select a location to recover data

Step 2. Deep Scan the Location

  • Recoverit will first run a quick scan to detect recently deleted files on D drive.
  • It will automatically proceed to a deeper sector-by-sector scan to locate more lost or hidden TAR.GZ and TGZ archives.
  • You can track the progress bar, pause or stop if needed, and use filters by file type, path, or search keywords like ".tar.gz" to narrow down results.scan lost data

Step 3. Preview and Recover Your Desired Data

  • After the scan completes, browse through the folder tree or use the search function to find your missing TAR.GZ and TGZ files.
  • Click on items to see available details or quick previews (for supported formats) to confirm they are the correct archives.
  • Tick the checkboxes beside the files you want to restore, click Recover, and choose a different destination (for example, C drive or an external disk) to save the recovered archives safely.recover found tgz files

Practical Tips

To maximize your chances of successful TAR.GZ and TGZ recovery and avoid future data loss, keep these best practices in mind.

  • Stop using D drive immediately: Do not install software, download files, or copy new data to D once you realize archives are missing.
  • Run recovery as soon as possible: The longer you wait, the more likely it is that Windows will overwrite the sectors where your archives are stored.
  • Never restore to the same partition: Always save recovered TAR.GZ and TGZ files to a different drive or external disk.
  • Monitor drive health: Use SMART tools or Windows chkdsk to check for bad sectors and consider replacing failing drives.
  • Adopt a backup strategy: Keep at least one local and one cloud backup of important compressed projects so you can restore quickly without recovery software.

Conclusion

Losing TAR.GZ and TGZ archives from D drive is frustrating, but it does not always mean permanent loss. By acting quickly, avoiding new writes to the drive, and checking simple options like Recycle Bin, File History, and Previous Versions, you may restore your compressed files in minutes.

When those options do not work, a professional tool such as Recoverit can deeply scan your D drive and rebuild deleted or lost TAR.GZ and TGZ archives with a clear step-by-step process. Combining these methods with regular backups will help you protect vital project data and minimize downtime in the future.

Wondershare Recoverit – Leader in Data Recovery
Try Recoverit to Recover Lost Data

article-safe-itemSecurity Verified. Over 7,302,189 people have downloaded it.

Next: Recover .Bz2 / .Tar.Bz2 From D Drive

FAQ

  • 1. Can I recover TAR.GZ and TGZ files from D drive after emptying the Recycle Bin?
    Yes. Emptying the Recycle Bin only removes file references, not the underlying data blocks right away. If those sectors have not been overwritten, a deep scan with data recovery software such as Recoverit can still find and restore your deleted TAR.GZ and TGZ archives.
  • 2. Is it safe to install recovery software on the same D drive where I lost TAR.GZ archives?
    No. Installing new programs on D may overwrite the disk areas that contain your lost archives. Always install Recoverit on another partition, such as C drive, or on an external disk and then scan D from there.
  • 3. What should I do first when I notice my TAR.GZ /.TGZ archives are missing?
    Stop using the D drive immediately, avoid downloading or saving new files, and check the Recycle Bin and backups. If you cannot find the archives, run Recoverit as soon as possible to scan D before any more data gets overwritten.
  • 4. Can Recoverit repair corrupted TAR.GZ or TGZ archives from D drive?
    Recoverit focuses on locating and restoring deleted or lost files. If it recovers an archive that is slightly corrupted, you may still open or repair it using specialized archive tools. Severely damaged archives might not be fully recoverable.
  • 5. How long will it take to scan D drive for TAR.GZ and TGZ files?
    The scan time depends on the size and condition of the D drive and how much data it holds. Small partitions might take only a few minutes, while large or heavily used drives can require an hour or longer. You can let Recoverit run in the background and start previewing found files while the scan continues.

Summarize and analyze with AI

Amy Dennis
Amy Dennis Apr 03, 26
Share article: