Undelete for File Recovery

A Backup Article Contributed by Melissa Larose

Undelete for File Recovery

Undelete is short for "Oops, I still need that file". It is one of those words like Undo that may sound a bit odd at moments but in actuality undelete is about retrieving previously deleted important files. It has quickly become the new buzzword in the software business with a plethora of packages using the term undelete in their product name.

Undelete Now

At some point in our "computer careers" we have done the unthinkable. We have deleted a file that we truly needed and panicked when we realized what we had done. Our ability to undelete a file has increased due to the placement of the recycle bin on our desktops, thanks for small favors, huh? But if we are house cleaners, and please clean out the recycle bin from time to time your operating system will thank you, we inevitably hit that "empty the recycle bin" button and really do get rid of the extra files

There has been available for many years, prior to the recycle bin phenomenon, what are referred to as file undelete utilities. These have been around since the beginning of the DOS days and they are still available under all kinds of undelete product names. So even though all PC users now have a recycle bin, we can still on occasion do ourselves in with a final delete of a file. It seems file undelete utilities are still fashionable.

Undelete What Appear to Be Lost Files

Technically a deleted file is not deleted and therefore can be undeleted. Files are marked for deletion and stored somewhere on the hard drive in a location known only to the operating system and designated so by its infinite wisdom. This deleted file can be undeleted at a later point in time so long as the operating system hasn't overridden it. See once something has been marked as deleted the operating system knows that if it needs more space for a new file or a new software install those marked as deleted files are available for it to use. You told the system it was so and it believed you.

Undelete software utilities are designed to search for those previously marked files and bring them to your attention. Searching through them you can identify the file that was so important that you needed to undelete it. You ability to become a totally self-sufficient and independent computer guru is made so by these products. Your personal PC file writing habits can be eliminated with a good undelete utility.

An Undelete Practice to Remember

The most important thing to remember is to stop everything you are doing if you realize you have sent an important file in to the ethers. Run your undelete file utility immediately. The risk you run by not doing so is that your operating system could use that marked as delete file space to save another file. And wouldn't you just kick yourself if you found you had truly deleted a file?