This is a review of Asoftech Data Recovery, a bare-bones data recovery tool for Windows.
I’ve offered tech support and IT training over several decades, and have written many software reviews and how-tos for business users. I’ve taken an in-depth look at Asoftech Data Recovery to let you know if it’s worth purchasing.
I discovered it has a dated user interface and limited functionality. While it offers a reasonable chance of recovering your lost data, there are better alternatives.
In this Asoftech Data Recovery review, I’ll explore the types of data the application can restore, how long this is likely to take, and weigh up your chance of success. Let’s get started.
Contents
Asoftech Data Recovery Overview
Asoftech Data Recovery can undelete files and recover lost data on Windows computers and attached storage media, even if they are no longer in the recycle bin or the drive has been formatted.
Asoftech Data Recovery is normally priced at $69.95 but you can purchase it for $39.95 at the time of writing. Compared with other Windows data recovery applications, the discounted price is on the lower end of the spectrum, and that’s where it belongs. In fact, at that price, you’ll find better value elsewhere. A free trial will show you if your files can be recovered before paying for the application.
Recovery Features
How is data recovery possible? When a file is deleted, it is not removed from the directory or folder that lists your files, nor is its data removed from your drive. It is simply marked as being deleted. Recovery is not guaranteed. In time, as you create new files, both the directory entry and data are likely to be overwritten.
Methods of data recovery offered: A deep scan for lost files and file fragments no longer listed in the directory structure.
Supported storage media: Memory cards, SD cards, pen drives, SmartMedia, Secure Digital, Compact Flash cards, MemoryStick, ZIP, USB drives, external hard drives, Android phones, other smartphones, digital cameras, camcorders.
Disclaimer: It is difficult to recover data from solid-state drives (SSDs). The TRIM technology that increases their efficiency also makes it impossible to recover your files once the trash has been emptied.
Supported file systems: Windows formats including FTFS, FAT16, FAT32. Mac and Linux formats are not supported.
Supported file types: Not listed.
Missing Features
Asoftech Data Recovery allows you to view any photos it locates but lacks many features offered by other data recovery applications:
- Pause and resume
- Saving scans for recovery at a later time
- Sorting and searching the files located to narrow down the results to a more manageable number
- Previewing other types of files
- Bootable recovery drive
- Recovery Vault to store deleted files for guaranteed recovery
- Imaging and cloning
- File overwriting (secure delete)
- Defragmentation
- Deleting duplicates and other cleanup features
- SMART monitoring for early warning of failing hard drives
- Mail-in recovery service
User Experience
Installing the software is simple, but running it is less so. The application requires administrative rights and must be launched by right-clicking and selecting “Run as administrator”.
The interface is very dated and offers very little information. For example, during a scan it does not display lacks a simple progress bar or approximation of the time remaining.
Performance
Scanning for lost files can be time-consuming. How fast is Asoftech Data Recovery?
A scan of my 4 GB USB memory stick took 14 minutes. That’s on the slow side—many other data recovery applications did the same in four or five minutes. But it’s not quite the slowest. One other application that I tested took 14 minutes, and the slowest app took 47 minutes.
Scanning a large hard drive is likely to take many hours, and possibly days.
Effectiveness
Data recovery can never be guaranteed. How successful was Asoftech Data Recovery?
One reviewer had some success when testing the application, but it wasn’t able to recover anything in the more challenging tests he threw at it. [1] That sounds typical of other data recovery applications.
For example, he erased some files from an SDHC card and attempted to recover them. He was successful with a photo and document, but not a video from his Canon 230SX camera. That’s because the video headers are stored separately on the card, which tripped up quite a number of recovery applications he tested.
Asoftech Data Recovery should be capable of recovering your data in many data loss scenarios—it’s the bare-bones interface rather than its effectiveness that I find fault with. Every other data recovery application I tested is more intuitive and helpful.
Customer Support
The Asoftech Support page lists frequently asked questions and step-by-step instructions. The support team can be contacted via email.
FAQs
Is Asoftech Data Recovery safe?
Yes. Scanning for lost files will not overwrite your existing data. I encountered no problems while testing the software.
Is Asoftech Data Recovery free?
No. The free trial will show you if your lost data can be located, but you need to purchase the software to recover it.
Alternatives
I find Asoftech Data Recovery’s interface very unhelpful and believe you’ll have a better experience using just about any other data recovery application. Here are a few alternatives I recommend.
Recuva is Windows-only recovery software from the CCleaner developers. The free version will meet many users’ needs and is a much better starting place for Windows data recovery than Asoftech’s product.
Data Recovery offers an easy-to-use wizard that will scan your drive quickly for lost files. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
Stellar is an easy-to-use application with a wide variety of features. It is a reliable and effective application, but its scans can be time-consuming. It’s available on both Windows and Mac.
R-Studio is an advanced tool suitable for data recovery professionals. It’s more difficult to use than Asoftech Data Recovery but can recover more data than any other application. It’s available for both Windows and Mac.
Final Verdict
Asoftech Data Recovery is likely to recover your lost files in less complex data loss scenarios such as when you recently deleted a file or folder. However, I can’t recommend it due to its dated looks and unhelpful interface.
Recuva Professional is a much better app to start with. Its free version will be all you need in most situations, and it’s a delight to use. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and Stellar Data Recovery are two other easy-to-use alternatives that require payment.
If the free trial versions of those alternatives can’t locate your lost data, R-Studio may help. It’s not as easy to use but industry tests have consistently found it to be the most effective data recovery application. It’s the tool to reach for in difficult cases where successful recovery is crucial.
References
