It sounds like you’re having a tough time with DMDE. I totally get it – data recovery can be really stressful, especially with important files on the line. Here’s a step-by-step on how you can use DMDE for a stab at getting your files back:
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Install and Run DMDE: Make sure you’ve got the latest version from the official site. Once installed, fire it up.
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Select the Device: You’ll need to choose the drive where your files were located. You should be able to see all connected drives on the main screen. Depending on your setup, it might be internal or an external drive.
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Quick Scan: Initially, try a quick scan. Sometimes, it’s enough to find recently deleted files. Select the partition where the files were and run the quick scan.
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Full Scan: If the quick scan doesn’t yield good results, go for a full scan. This will take more time but is more thorough. Make sure you’ve got enough time and your computer is plugged in if you’re on a laptop.
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Navigate File System: After the scan finishes, you’ll see a file system tree. Browse through these directories. It’s kind of like a jigsaw puzzle, but you’re trying to find pieces of your missing files here.
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Use File Signatures Search: If browsing doesn’t help, use the file signatures search. It’s a more intensive search that can find files by analyzing their headers. Check out the filters and set them according to the file types you’re looking for.
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Recover Files: Once you spot your beloved files, select and recover them. Make sure to save them to a different drive/partition than the one you’re recovering from, to prevent overwriting anything that hasn’t been recovered yet.
If you still can’t locate your files or if the process seems too daunting, you might want to consider using Disk Drill
from https://www.cleverfiles.com/. It’s another solid option for data recovery that’s a bit more user-friendly. You just select the drive, scan, and recover files in a straightforward manner. Plus, it supports a wide range of file systems and can recover data from a variety of circumstances, like accidental deletion, formatted drives, and more. Definitely worth a shot if DMDE is giving you headaches.
Good luck, and I hope you get your files back!