profile

Tool Tips: DiskDigger

Two of the biggest challenges faced by all computer users are recovering accidentally deleted files, and ensuring that purposefully deleted files actually remain deleted.

One handy free utility that helps ease these processes is DiskDigger, which according to its maker's website can recover files from any type of media that your computer can read — including USB flash drives, memory cards such as SD, CompactFlash, Memory Stick and others, and hard drives too. Recoverable file types include photos, videos, music, documents and other formats.

Bypassing the Windows file system drivers, DiskDigger scans disk drives directly and reportedly can even scan reformatted or badly formatted disks to which Windows can't even assign a drive letter; as well as disks with bad sectors.

The program offers built-in support for the FAT12 (floppy disk), FAT16 (older memory cards), FAT32 (newer memory cards and hard disks), NTFS (newer hard disks), and exFAT (Microsoft's new successor to FAT32) file systems.

A single executable file, DiskDigger is compact and portable, with nothing to install and leaving no trace of having been run.

DiskDigger offers two modes of operation. The first scans the file system for deleted files and is fast and able to recover all file types and file names — although this mode doesn't support all possible file systems and doesn't scan the entire disk, limiting its search to only those files that the file system is aware of.

The second, more extensive mode scans the disk surface for all traces of lost files, thoroughly scanning every sector of your media and going underneath the file system to find hidden files. While it is sometimes much slower than the first method and unable to recover file names or fragmented files and only supporting certain file types, this mode will find all 'existing' and still-accessible deleted files.

DiskDigger is not magic nor is it a "repair" utility. It is strictly a "read-only" tool and does not change the contents of the scanned media nor will it attempt to fix the formatting of the media, if needed.

A work in progress, DiskDigger has new features added regularly, including support for more file formats, more configuration options, and more. It is claimed to be intuitive enough for most people to use without a written guide, but a tutorial is available from TechRepublic.

In my own personal tests, I in fact found DiskDigger able to retrieve image files from a disk that had been cleaned and fully formatted; making the utility handy for retrieving "lost" files and ensuring the total deletion of sensitive information. Try it for yourself.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

To Cloud or Not to Cloud, That Is the Question

Let’s be honest. It just sounds way cooler to say your business is “in the cloud,” right? Buzzwords make everything sound chic and relevant. In fact, someone uninformed might even assume that any hosting that is not in the cloud is inferior. So what’s the truth?

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Upcoming Visa Price Changes to Registration, Transaction Fees

Visa is updating its fee structure. Effective April 1, both the card brand’s initial nonrefundable application fee and annual renewal fee will increase from $500 to $950. Visa is also introducing a fee of 10 cents for each transaction, and 10 basis points — 0.1% — on the payment volume of certain merchant accounts.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Unpacking the New Digital Services Act

Do you hear the word “regulation” and get nervous? When it comes to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), you shouldn’t worry. If you’re complying with the most up-to-date card brand regulations, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Perils of Relying on ChatGPT for Legal Advice

It surprised me how many people admitted that they had used ChatGPT or similar services either to draft legal documents or to provide legal advice. “Surprised” is probably an understatement of my reaction to learning about this, as “horrified” more accurately describes my emotional response.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
profile

WIA Profile: Holly Randall

If you’re one of the many regular listeners to Holly Randall’s celebrated podcast, you are already familiar with her charming intro spiel: “Hi, I’m Holly Randall and welcome to my podcast, ‘Holly Randall Unfiltered.’ This is the show about sex, the adult industry and the people in it.

Women In Adult ·
trends

What's Hot Now: Leading Content Players on Trending Genres, Monetization Strategies

The juggernaut creator economy hurtles along, fueled by ever-ascendant demand for personality-based authenticity and intimacy — yet any reports of the demise of the traditional paysite are greatly exaggerated.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

An Ethical Approach to Global Tech Staffing

One thing my 24-year career as a technologist working to support the online adult entertainment industry has taught me about is the power of global staffing. Without a doubt, I have achieved significantly more business success as a direct result of hiring abroad.

Brad Mitchell ·
opinion

Finding the Right Payment Partner

Whenever I am talking with businesses that are just getting started, one particular question comes up a lot: “How do I get a merchant account?” It’s a simple question, but it has a complicated answer.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

The Taxman Cometh for Every Business

February may be the month of romance, but it is also a time when we need to think about something that inspires very little love: taxes. April is not far away, and the taxman is always waiting. This year, federal and most state income taxes are due Monday, April 15.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

The Continuous Journey of Legal Compliance in Adult

The adult entertainment industry is teeming with opportunity but is also fraught with challenges, from anticipating consumer behavior to keeping up with technological innovation. The most labyrinthine of all challenges, however, is the world of legal compliance.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More