Scan files VS Scan contents ?

Recuva
1

Hi there everyone!

I have installed Recuva for the first time, because I have accidentally quick-formatted an external USB drive with ~30’000 files on it (don’t ask me how one can ‘accidentally’ format a hard drive). I am pretty sure I have those files backed up elsewhere, but I want to recover them all just to double-check.

Anyway, as you can see on the screenshot below, Recuva offers me two scan options from the main program window:

  • Scan Files
  • Scan Contents…

UomJ8.png

What is the difference between the two? I’ve studied http://docs.piriform.com/recuva , but this options are not documented. Neither could I find the answer to my question by taking a quick look at the forum.

I would highly appreciate if someone could explain to me exactly what each option does, and what the differences are. I am afraid to choose the wrong option, because deep-scanning 1.5 TB over USB 2.0 will take at least 24 hours.

Thanks a lot in advance to anyone who will reply :-)

Just in case, the main characters in the game are:

  • Windows 8 Enterprise (64-bit), 6GB RAM
  • Recuva v.1.44.778 (64-bit)
  • 1.5 TB USB 2.0 Samsung ‘G3 Station’ external hard disk (~30'000 files present prior to accidental quick-format of the drive)

2

Just run Scan Files. Scan Content is for searching for strings inside files, which I guess you don't want. Before running a deep scan I would check (in Advanced Mode) Scan for Non-Deleted Files and uncheck Deep Scan. It'll be far faster than a deep scan and will do no harm to try first.

3

Thanks for your reply Augeas! I have tried a "Scan for non-deleted files" option like you told me, but I immediately get a message stating that no files were found, and suggesting me to run a deep-scan. Strange thing is, it does not even seem like program has tried any scan at all, because I get that message instantly when selecting Scan Files option.

Could you provide a little more info on what "searching for strings inside files" means? I don't know what "strings" are. My goal is just to recover all photos and documents present on the drive prior to accidental quick-format. I do not care for the contents of the file, I just want them all recovered to another disk, so I can decide later whether I need to keep those files or safely delete them for good.

I guess a Scan Files option is sufficient for my task?

4

Clear everything from the file/path box. You want to find all the files you can.

The scan contents looks for whatever string of characters you put in the selection box within the files scanned. In other words it will search for say 'vnaowfe' within all files found. You don't want that, I dare say.