Updated 06 May. 2023

Comprehensive INI file recovery for macOS and Windows

INI recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for INI, Windows Initialization File

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Wise Data Recovery
Freeware
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
rateWise Data Recovery
280653
PhotoRec
Open Source
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
ratePhotoRec
152488
PhotoRec
Open Source
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
ratePhotoRec
152488
UltData
from $55.95
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500MB
Download
rateUltData
1054581

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 10
time icon How long we tested 2 weeks
exam icon Number of tested tools 10

What to consider when choosing INI 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.

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.

Storage media compatibility

There’s no telling when data loss can strike and you may end up having to recover files from any kind of storage medium, such as SD cards, SSDs, hard drives, RAID setups, and more. It’s important that your chosen data recovery software is fully compatible with the ones you use.

Simple steps to recover deleted INI, Windows Initialization File on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

Install the program on your Windows or macOS computer

Step 2:

Start the recovery software and choose the disk you want to scan for lost data

Step 3:

Choose Recover to begin scanning the selected disk for recoverable files

Step 4:

Choose the recoverable files you want to restore and click Recover

How to easily prevent INI files loss

1 Tip

Back up files regularly. While backing up files can sometimes be time-consuming and a hassle, it’s a vital part of keeping important files safe from unforeseen data loss. After all, you can never tell when you might accidentally delete a file or encounter device failure. One missed backup session could set you back hours, days, or even months of work.

2 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.

3 Tip

Avoid suspicious emails and files. Suspicious emails are rife with phishing emails and other forms of malicious files. Accessing the contents of these emails could severely compromise the security of your computer. This could lead to hackers accessing your machine, putting your important files in jeopardy. So if you see a suspicious email, simply delete it.

FAQ

On Windows PCs,INI files that weren’t permanently deleted using the Shift + Delete command can be found and restored from the Recycle Bin tool. For Macs, all deleted X files are sent to the Trash first, so you can get them back from there. Otherwise, you can use Windows File History if you enabled it before the deletion or the Mac Timeline feature.

If you find that INI files are randomly being deleted from your computer, it’s a good indication that your hard drive is failing. In these cases, it’s a good idea to make a backup image of the drive to avoid further data loss. Another reason is that your computer has been infected by a virus or some form of malware.

Deleted INI 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.