Using Recuva after using CCleaner / MS Word docx files

[Marz]

Hello.

I have both CCleaner and Recuva. I have used CCleaner for at least six months now. I got it from CNET / downloads.com and I like it very much.

 

I read about Recuva yesterday from a Microsoft forum posting about recovering MS Word files. I downloaded it and have tried it out a few times.

 

The main thing I am trying to do is to find a way to recover deleted MS Word DOCX files.

I can't seem to get them with other file recovery programs.

I was hoping that Recuva would do just that. It seems like it can, but...

 

I am finding that using CCleaner seems to inhibit Recuva from finding these files.

(I have not done the following tests other file types or other recovery programs. I just tried this test today on a hunch.)

 

Here is what I tried:

 

1. I created a new MS Word file, entered some text and saved (DOCX file).

2. I deleted the file and emptied the trash.

3. I ran Recuva.

The file was recovered. I could open it and use it.

4. I then ran CCleaner before doing anything else.

5. I ran Recuva before doing anything else.

The file was not on the list of recovered files. I tried several options in the program.

 

Does CCleaner affect files that have been sent to the Recycle bin and emptied?

Is it just affecting DOCX files?

Is there a setting or option in CCleaner that affects the files in the emptied Recycled Bin?

 

I search the CCleaner website. But, I could have missed something.

 

(I am running Vista Home Premium on a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop.)

[JDPower]

Do you have the 'Wipe free space' option ticked in CCleaner's advanced section?

[Augeas]

From what I can deduce..

 

You created a doc file, deleted it to the recycler, then cleared out the recycler, then ran Recuva and recovered the doc file.

 

You then ran CC, then ran Recuva and couldn't find the deleted doc file?

 

It is common if you delete a newly created file for it to be 'lost' quite quickly. This is because the file, or its entry in the MFT, is first in line to be reused by another file creation. Whilst the user may not have created any new files, Windows quite happily does. It could be a prefetch entry, or a temp file used by any of the applications running, an email or a/v file, or anything really. Deleted files are constantly at risk from being overwritten, and that's probably what's happened in your case. Conversly, older files are less likely to get the chop immediately.

[Marz]

JD:

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

No. I do not have that checkbox checked.

 

I only have the IIS checkbox checked in that section.

 

 

 

 

Do you have the 'Wipe free space' option ticked in CCleaner's advanced section?

[Marz]

Augeas:

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

Yes - You read my post correctly. That is what I did - except it was the new DOCX file format in MS Word/Office 2007.

I thought that this file type was the problem. It has something to do with XML files, but I am not sure what.

I need to look that up on the MS site one of these days.

 

I knew that files had the chance to be overwritten. I was just surprised that it happened so quickly. And, it seemed to happen right after CC ran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From what I can deduce..

 

You created a doc file, deleted it to the recycler, then cleared out the recycler, then ran Recuva and recovered the doc file.

 

You then ran CC, then ran Recuva and couldn't find the deleted doc file?

 

It is common if you delete a newly created file for it to be 'lost' quite quickly. This is because the file, or its entry in the MFT, is first in line to be reused by another file creation. Whilst the user may not have created any new files, Windows quite happily does. It could be a prefetch entry, or a temp file used by any of the applications running, an email or a/v file, or anything really. Deleted files are constantly at risk from being overwritten, and that's probably what's happened in your case. Conversly, older files are less likely to get the chop immediately.