Updated 15 May. 2023

Recovering BAK files on Windows and Mac

BAK recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for BAK, Backup File

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Eassos
Free, 30-Day License $ 39.95, Lifetime License $ 69.95, Family License $ 199.95, Business License $ 499.95
Free recovery: Free file recovery evaluation
Download
rateEassos
93200
TestDisk
Open Source
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
rateTestDisk
152488
Yodot
$39.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateYodot
74149
MiniTool
Free, Personal $79, Commercial $199, Enterprise $399, Technician $499
Free recovery: Free recovery - 1MB
Download
rateMiniTool
424233

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 11
time icon How long we tested 1 week
exam icon Number of tested tools 20

3 essential factors to consider when choosing BAK recovery software

Free version with data recovery

A lot of data recovery solutions out there offer a free trial that only gets you as far as previewing recoverable files. Once you attempt to retrieve them, you’ll get hit with a message asking you to purchase the full version. Check if the software has a free version that allows actual recovery.

High recovery rate

There’s no point in investing time, effort, and maybe even money into a data recovery program with mediocre chances of success. Make sure to do your research and choose one with a proven track record, making it all the more likely for you to get your lost files back.

Scanning Speed

Just like how not all data recovery programs aren’t created equally in terms of retrieval rates, they also differ in the speeds at which they’re able to scan storage media, whether it’s a regular or deep scan. If it’s a big deal to you, you should look into how quickly the program can get through a recovery session.

Simple steps to recover deleted BAK, Backup File on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

Install the program on any macOS or Windows computer

Step 2:

Start the app and choose the disk that contained the deleted files

Step 3:

Hit Recover to scan the selected disk for files that can be restored

Step 4:

Preview the files that can be restored and click Recover to retrieve the data

How can BAK loss be prevented - 3 tips

1 Tip

Do not mess with unfamiliar files. Operating systems include lots of important files that may not seem familiar to you. These files could be vital to running the platform and tweaking or deleting them could lead to the OS becoming unstable and may cause you to incur data loss. That’s why it’s best to leave unfamiliar system files alone.

2 Tip

Password protect your machine. If you live in a household with multiple people, then it’s a good idea to put a strong password on your computer or laptop. You never know when a child or another unauthorized person might try to make their way into your machine and fiddle with your files. Better safe than sorry.

3 Tip

Create an image at the first sign of storage failure. If you notice that your storage device is starting to fail, you should immediately create a backup image of the medium so that you can attempt data recovery later. That way, you can preserve whatever information is currently on the drive before it incurs further data loss.

FAQ

Backups are the easiest way to recover BAK files that were saved over. Windows machines also have a built-in feature that allows you to retrieve older versions of X files, as long as you enabled the tool before the overwriting occurred. Mac has a similar feature called Time Machine. Alternatively, you can use Windows System Restore to return your PC to a previous point in time, but you’d need to have created a backup prior.

Data recovery software often saves recovered files in a specified directory which you can then access through Windows File Explorer. Disk Drill, for example, is one of the best data recovery programs around and includes a button at the end of the retrieval process that will open the folder where your recovered BAK files are located.

A quality data recovery program should allow for the retrieval of a wide range of different file types, whether they’re documents, images, audio clips, and others. Disk Drill is an excellent option that is capable of recovering BAK extension and you can easily filter out the results by typing the extension into the search bar at the results screen.

Related Backup Files: