How to Use Tenorshare Data Recovery Standard — Step-by-Step TutorialData loss happens to everyone: accidental deletions, formatted drives, corrupted partitions, or system crashes. Tenorshare Data Recovery Standard is a desktop tool designed to recover deleted or lost files from Windows and macOS drives, USB sticks, memory cards, and other storage devices. This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through preparing for recovery, installing and launching the software, scanning and previewing files, executing recovery, and post-recovery tips to maximize success.
Before you begin: preparation and precautions
- Back up what remains. If the drive is accessible, copy any important current files to another safe location before attempting recovery.
- Stop writing to the affected drive. Continued use reduces recovery chances because new files can overwrite deleted data.
- If the drive has physical damage or makes unusual noises, stop and consult a professional service — software won’t help in those cases.
- Have a second drive ready to receive recovered files. Do not recover files to the same drive you’re scanning.
Step 1 — Download and install Tenorshare Data Recovery Standard
- Visit Tenorshare’s official site and download the correct installer for your OS (Windows or macOS).
- Run the installer and follow prompts. On Windows, accept UAC prompts if they appear. On macOS, you may need to allow installation in System Settings → Security & Privacy if blocked.
- Launch the app after installation completes.
Step 2 — Choose the drive or device to scan
- On the main screen, the app lists available storage locations: internal drives, external USB drives, memory cards, and sometimes specific folders.
- Select the specific partition or external device where data was lost. If you’re unsure, choose the whole disk to maximize coverage (longer scan).
- If the drive isn’t shown, ensure it’s connected and recognized by the OS. For devices with enclosure/adapter issues, try a different cable or adapter.
Step 3 — Select a scan mode
Tenorshare typically offers multiple scan options:
- Quick Scan: faster, checks recently deleted entries and common file-system pointers.
- Deep Scan (or Thorough Scan): slower but more comprehensive, reconstructs files from raw data signatures.
Recommendation:
- Try Quick Scan first for recently deleted files. If it fails to find what you need, run Deep Scan.
Step 4 — Start the scan and monitor progress
- Click “Scan” to begin. The app will display progress, estimated time remaining, and number of found items.
- Scanning time depends on drive size, scan mode, and drive health. Deep scans on large disks may take several hours.
- You can pause or stop a scan in most versions; pausing lets you preview already-found items.
Step 5 — Preview and filter recovered files
- Results are typically organized by file type and folder path. Use the filter options to narrow by file type (images, documents, videos, audio, archives).
- Use the built-in preview for images, documents, and some video/audio files to verify integrity before recovery.
- Pay attention to file names, sizes, and preview quality — previews give the best clue whether recovery will be usable.
Step 6 — Select files to recover and choose a destination
- Check the boxes next to the files or folders you want to restore.
- Click “Recover” and choose a destination folder on a different drive than the one you scanned.
- Avoid saving recovered files to the original drive to prevent overwriting other recoverable data.
Step 7 — Verify recovered files
- After recovery completes, open a representative sample of recovered files to confirm they are intact (documents open correctly, images display, videos play).
- If files are partially corrupted or miss fragments, try rescanning with Deep Scan or use alternate recovery tools or professional services.
Troubleshooting common issues
- No files found: run a Deep Scan, ensure you selected the correct drive/partition, and verify the drive is healthy.
- Slow scan speed: close other programs, connect the drive directly to a main USB port (avoid hubs), and allow time for Deep Scan on large disks.
- Files are corrupted or won’t open: partial overwrites or file system corruption may have damaged data. Try scanning with other signature-based recovery tools or consult specialists.
- App won’t install or run: check OS compatibility, available disk space, and security settings (antivirus or macOS Gatekeeper). Re-download installer if necessary.
Advanced tips to improve recovery success
- Image the drive first: create a sector-by-sector disk image (using tools like dd or dedicated imaging utilities) and run recovery on the image to avoid further wear on a failing drive.
- Use Deep Scan for formatted or heavily corrupted drives — signature recovery can rebuild files without file-system metadata.
- Recover earliest and stop using the affected drive immediately after data loss.
- If recovering important business or legal data, consider professional forensic services to maximize integrity and chain-of-custody.
Alternatives and complementary tools
If Tenorshare doesn’t locate your files or you prefer other options, common alternatives include Recuva (Windows), PhotoRec/TestDisk (cross-platform, open-source), R-Studio, and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Each tool has strengths: PhotoRec is powerful for signature-based recovery but has a less polished UI; R-Studio is strong for complex RAID and advanced file systems.
| Tool | Strengths | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tenorshare Data Recovery Standard | User-friendly UI, good previews | General-purpose recovery for users |
| Recuva | Free tier, simple | Quick recoveries on Windows |
| PhotoRec/TestDisk | Deep signature recovery, free | Complex recoveries, many file types |
| R-Studio | Advanced features, RAID | For professionals and advanced users |
| EaseUS Data Recovery | Polished UI, reliable | Consumer-grade recoveries |
When to contact professionals
- The drive makes clicking/noise, or won’t spin up.
- The data is critically important (legal, financial, proprietary).
- You need evidence-preserving recovery for legal/forensic purposes.
- Multiple failed software attempts — professionals have cleanrooms and hardware tools.
Summary
Tenorshare Data Recovery Standard is a straightforward tool for recovering deleted or lost files from common storage devices. The key steps: stop using the drive, install the app, select the correct device, try Quick Scan then Deep Scan if needed, preview files, recover to a different drive, and verify results. For physically damaged drives or critical recoveries, use professional services.
If you want, tell me the OS, the device type (HDD/SSD/USB/memory card), and a brief description of how the data was lost — I can give tailored next steps.
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