Updated 11 May. 2023

Recovering VCD files on Windows and Mac

VCD recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for VCD, Virtual CD

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Recovery Explorer
Standard €39.95 , Raid €79.95, Professional €179.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateRecovery Explorer
341
Recuva
Free, Professional $19.95, Professional Plus $39.95
Free recovery: Free recovery - Unlimited, doesn't include support
Download
rateRecuva
8587756
M3 Data Recovery
Free, Home edition $69.95, Professional edition $99.95, Technician edition $299
Free recovery: Free recovery - 1GB
Download
rateM3 Data Recovery
22436
iBeesoft
Personal License $55.95, Family License $89.95, Company License $$299.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateiBeesoft
43515

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 11
time icon How long we tested 4 weeks
exam icon Number of tested tools 11

What should I consider when choosing VCD recovery software

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.

File preview

There’s a good chance that when you attempt to recover files from a particular storage medium, there will be a whole lot of recoverable files to sift through on the results page. That’s why it helps if the program is equipped with a preview feature that allows you to get a glimpse of a file before recovering it.

Wide file type support

Whether it’s pictures, documents, audio, or file types, it’s a good idea to select a recovery program that supports the retrieval of a wide range of file extensions. Once you’re done recovering your files this time around, you may need to use the program again in the future for a different file type.

Simple steps to recover deleted VCD, Virtual CD on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

Download the application to either a Mac or WIndows machine and install it

Step 2:

Fire up the app and select the disk where the lost files were located

Step 3:

Start the search for recoverable data by clicking on the Recover button

Step 4:

Click Recover again after selecting the files that you wish to restore from the preview display

Top 3 tips to prevent VCD files loss

1 Tip

Keep work and leisure separate. It’s always a good idea to have a separate computer/laptop for work and general use. If you keep installing and uninstalling programs on a machine, it will hasten the rate at which the operating system might break down. And when it finally does become unstable, you could lose some important data in the process.

2 Tip

Keep food and drink away from your work computer. This one goes without saying, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who keep food and drinks dangerously close to their laptop or computer. No matter how careful you are, uncontrollable circumstances may occur that could cause a spill onto your machine, potentially compromising your data.

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

For Windows, if you deleted the VCD file using the Delete key or right-click > Delete command, then you should be able to find it in the Recycle Bin. On Mac, deleted X files are moved to the Trash before being deleted permanently. If your file is not present in either of these tools, you’ll need to utilize a free data recovery program.

Deleted VCD files that cannot be found in the Windows Recycle Bin or Mac Trash can still be recovered using an effective data recovery program. Just make sure you stop using the drive they were in right away to avoid overwriting the deleted file. Alternatively, if you had File History enabled or created a System Restore point beforehand, you can use those methods.

The best way to recover VCD files from a memory card is to leverage a top-notch data recovery program, as it’s the most flexible and accessible retrieval method around. It’s worth noting, however, that this is ineffective if you used a “full” format on the card or it has become heavily damaged/compromised. For that, you’ll need to seek out a data recovery service.