Updated 18 May. 2023

Get TXT files back in Windows and macOS

TXT recovery

Best 5 data recovery software for TXT, Plain Text File

Disk Drill
Free version, Pro version $89
Free recovery: Free recovery - 500 MB for Windows
Download
rateDisk Drill
666762
Recuva
Free, Professional $19.95, Professional Plus $39.95
Free recovery: Free recovery - Unlimited, doesn't include support
Download
rateRecuva
8587756
Glary Undelete
Freeware
Free recovery: Freeware
Download
rateGlary Undelete
265306
Recovery Explorer
Standard €39.95 , Raid €79.95, Professional €179.95
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateRecovery Explorer
341
Data Rescue 5
Free, Standard $99, Professional $299
Free recovery: Free scan & preview
Download
rateData Rescue 5
23106

Summary review

windows icon Our Windows version Windows 11
time icon How long we tested 1 week
exam icon Number of tested tools 12

3 factors to consider when choosing TXT recovery software

Ease of use

Not everybody is tech-savvy and knows their way around a command prompt or advanced menus. Choose a data recovery program that has a user interface and flow that fits your technical expertise. That way, you’ll be able to recover your files with minimal hassle. Some apps are even designed to accommodate both novice and expert users.

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 TXT, Plain Text File on Windows & Mac

Step 1:

Install the software on a Windows or Mac computer

Step 2:

Launch the software and select a disk on which to recover lost files

Step 3:

Search for deleted data on the disk by cicking the Recover button

Step 4:

After selecting the files you want to restore, click the Recover button again

3 easy ways to prevent your TXT files from getting lost

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

Do routine maintenance on your computer/laptop. Neglecting your computer or laptop can lead to dust build-up, ventilation issues, and other hardware pitfalls. In turn, this could cause your device to abruptly fail, resulting in data loss. So make sure to always perform regular maintenance on your machine to ensure that it stays in tip-top shape.

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

On Windows PCs,TXT 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.

When TXT files are deleted from a computer, they are not permanently erased just yet. So long as they’re not overwritten by new data, these files remain out of sight on the storage media and can be recovered through quality data recovery programs. Backup tools like File History, System Restore, and Timeline can also be used to recover lost data.

The best way to recover TXT 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.