Windows recovery test · July 2026

Disk Drill for Windows Review: How Well Does It Recover Deleted Files?

Disk Drill makes a stressful recovery job feel manageable, especially with deleted folders, memory cards, or RAW drives. The tiny free allowance plus uncertain SSD recovery still deserve a close look.

By Eyefi Blog Editorial Team Published · Updated
8.8 /10
Strong Recovery With a Price Catch Clear previews, broad drive support, limited free recovery
Recommended
Quick verdict

Disk Drill is one of the easier Windows recovery tools to trust with a messy drive. It can scan for free, preview intact files, then recover up to 100 MB before requiring PRO. It is a good first attempt for deleted folders, formatted SD cards, or inaccessible partitions, though recent deletions from a TRIM-enabled SSD may already be beyond software recovery. (cleverfiles.com)

Download Disk Drill Free See full scorecard

Disk Drill for Windows at a Glance

8.8/10

Disk Drill is a desktop data-recovery app for deleted, formatted, corrupted, or inaccessible storage. It scans drives, previews found files, then restores selected data to a separate location.

Best forWindows users recovering deleted folders, SD card media, USB files, or data from a readable RAW partition

Main features
  • Universal lost-data scan
  • Unlimited file previews
  • 100 MB of free Windows recovery
  • Byte-to-byte drive imaging
  • Advanced Camera Recovery
Pricing Basic $0 with 100 MB recovery · PRO $89/year · PRO Lifetime $149
Standout featureStrong previews make it easier to judge a file before buying
Disk Drill Pros
  • Clear recovery workflow
  • Broad storage support
  • Useful disk-image tool
Disk Drill Cons
  • Only 100 MB recovered free
  • SSD recovery is hit or miss
  • No recovery outcome is guaranteed

Disk Drill for Windows Recovery Capabilities in Detail

01

Deleted-File Recovery

Very capable when the original data still exists

9.4/10

Disk Drill did particularly well in a published Windows 11 test involving 22 deleted files on an NTFS hard drive. It located the original folder, then restored every test file, including JPG, PNG, MP3, FLAC, plus torrent content. That result fits its main strength: conventional deletions from healthy hard drives, flash drives, or memory cards. (techradar.com)

The preview matters more than the file count. A working photo, document, or video preview gives you evidence that real file data remains. Still, a listed filename alone proves little. Overwritten sectors, damaged fragments, encryption, plus SSD TRIM can leave a result unusable even if its old directory entry appears. (cleverfiles.com)

Strengths
  • Restores original folders in favorable cases
  • Previews many files before payment
  • Shows estimated recovery chances
  • Handles simple deletion plus formatted media
Weak spots
  • Cannot recover overwritten data
  • TRIM-enabled SSD results may be poor
  • A filename in the results does not guarantee an intact file
Disk Drill Review ↗
02

Scanning Tools

Useful controls without a technical maze

9.0/10

The main workflow is hard to mess up: choose a device, start the lost-data search, then review results. Files appear while scanning continues, so a large drive does not always force you to wait for the final pass. Filters for type, size, date, plus recovery chance cut down the clutter. (techradar.com)

Byte-to-byte imaging is the smarter option for a questionable external drive or memory card. It creates a sector-level copy that you can scan instead of repeatedly stressing the original device. Advanced Camera Recovery also targets fragmented footage from cameras or drones, a case where basic undelete tools often return clips that will not play. (cleverfiles.com)

Strengths
  • Results can be reviewed during a scan
  • Filters make huge result lists manageable
  • Byte-to-byte disk images reduce repeat access
  • Dedicated camera mode targets fragmented media
Weak spots
  • Deep scans of large external drives can take hours
  • Recovery results may contain duplicates or files with generic names
Visit Disk Drill Help
03

Ease of Use

Approachable during a fairly awful moment

9.2/10

Disk Drill presents physical disks, partitions, plus removable media in a clean list. The recovery path stays visible, while previews open beside the results instead of sending you through obscure menus. It feels closer to File Explorer than a forensic utility.

The app also warns you to save recovered files somewhere else. That detail is crucial. Restoring data onto the source drive can overwrite other deleted files that have not been recovered yet. The interface is beginner-friendly, but it cannot prevent every risky choice outside the app. (cleverfiles.com)

Strengths
  • Simple scan-select-recover flow
  • Familiar folder-tree view
  • Clear photo plus document previews
  • Useful file-type filters
Weak spots
  • Large result sets still need patient sorting
  • Installation on the affected drive can reduce recovery odds
04

Storage Support

Broad coverage with physical limits

8.8/10

Disk Drill for Windows supports common PC file systems such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS, plus RAW volumes. It can scan hard drives, USB sticks, SD cards, disk images, virtual disks, plus certain RAID setups. Support also extends to several Mac or Linux file systems when those disks are attached to a Windows PC. (cleverfiles.com)

Software is not a substitute for a recovery lab. Stop if a drive clicks, disconnects repeatedly, spins down, or vanishes from Windows Disk Management. Continued scanning can worsen physical damage. Likewise, an SSD may erase deleted blocks through TRIM before Disk Drill ever sees them.

Strengths
  • Works with common Windows file systems
  • Scans RAW or reformatted volumes
  • Supports removable media plus disk images
  • Can inspect several non-Windows file systems
Weak spots
  • Not suitable for mechanically failing drives
  • SSD TRIM can make deleted data unrecoverable
  • BitLocker volumes require the correct recovery key
05

Cost & Licensing

Good previews, stingy free recovery

7.4/10

The Windows Basic edition offers unlimited scanning plus previews, but actual free recovery stops at 100 MB. That can cover a few documents or compressed photos. It will not cover a normal video folder, a large RAW photo set, or most full-drive incidents. (cleverfiles.com)

Disk Drill PRO costs $89 per year, while the lifetime license costs $149. One license covers Windows plus macOS. The lifetime option makes more sense for repeat use, though neither paid license guarantees that a damaged or overwritten file will work. CleverFiles tells buyers to preview files before paying since an unsuccessful recovery generally does not qualify for a refund. (cleverfiles.com)

Strengths
  • Scanning plus previews cost nothing
  • Lifetime license avoids recurring renewal
  • One license covers Windows plus macOS
Weak spots
  • 100 MB free limit is unusually small
  • Annual plan is expensive for one emergency
  • Failed recovery generally does not guarantee a refund
Basic $0 Unlimited scans plus previews · 100 MB total recovery
PRO Annual $89/year Unlimited personal recovery
PRO Lifetime $149 One-time license for Windows plus macOS

How We Evaluated Disk Drill for Windows Recovery

We scored Disk Drill using a Windows-focused recovery checklist: deleted-file detection, preview quality, folder preservation, scan controls, storage coverage, pricing, plus safeguards against overwriting source data. We also checked the current Windows 100 MB allowance, PRO pricing, official compatibility details, an independent Windows 11 recovery test, plus mixed user reports. (cleverfiles.com)

No recovery percentage applies to every drive. Results change with the device, file system, elapsed time, new writes, physical health, encryption, plus SSD TRIM. The score reflects how useful the software is when recoverable data still exists, not a promise that every deleted file will return.

When Disk Drill Is the Wrong Recovery Choice

Do not run a long scan on a drive that clicks, scrapes, disconnects, smells hot, or disappears from Disk Management. Power it down. A professional lab can work from the hardware directly, while repeated home scans may reduce the chance of a clean recovery.

Be cautious with a recently deleted file on the same Windows SSD that is running Disk Drill. Installing software, downloading updates, or normal background activity can overwrite data. TRIM creates another problem by clearing deleted SSD blocks automatically. If the lost data matters, shut the PC down, then scan the SSD from another system or a bootable setup.

Disk Drill for Windows: Recovery Scores by Category

CategoryPerformanceScore
01 Deleted-File Recovery
9.4/10
02 Scanning Tools
9.0/10
03 Ease of Use
9.2/10
04 Storage Support
8.8/10
05 Cost & Licensing
7.4/10

What Disk Drill Users Report

The poster says Disk Drill recovered family photos plus videos from an SD card that Windows viewed as inaccessible. Recuva reportedly failed to see the card.
Decent-Strawberry-97 · r/DataRecoveryHelp
A wedding shooter reported recovering roughly 40 to 50 GB of footage after formatting the wrong camera card. A small recovered clip worked before the user paid for PRO.
puffpastry_bonanza · r/DataRecoveryHelp
One customer said the paid recovery did not produce usable client files, then described the support response as dismissive. The experience shows why previews should be checked carefully before purchase.
Automatic_Fee_5857 · r/DataRecoveryHelp
A user recovering a SanDisk external hard drive praised the clean interface plus quick email support after restoring data to a new drive.
Reddit user · r/datarecovery

Should You Download Disk Drill for Windows?

Disk Drill for Windows is worth trying when a healthy hard drive, USB stick, or memory card has lost files through deletion, formatting, or file-system trouble. Its previews, filters, plus disk-imaging feature make it less intimidating than many recovery utilities. Skip the paid upgrade if your important files cannot be previewed, or if the source is a clicking drive that needs professional attention.

Top pick Disk Drill
Stop using the affected storage immediately, scan it from another drive, preview several important files, then recover everything to a separate physical device.

Disk Drill for Windows Recovery Questions

What is Disk Drill for Windows best at recovering?
Disk Drill for Windows is strongest when the deleted files were removed recently and the drive has not been heavily used since. It can also help with formatted partitions, lost partitions, and many common file types from internal drives, USB sticks, and memory cards.
How do I scan a drive in Disk Drill on Windows?
Open Disk Drill, choose the drive, then start a quick or deep scan depending on how thorough you want to be. If you only need recently deleted items, start with the faster scan first, then switch to a deeper scan if the results look thin.
Can Disk Drill recover files after a quick format?
Often yes, especially if the drive was not written to after the format. A quick format usually removes file table references, not every trace of the data, so Disk Drill can sometimes rebuild file lists or find raw file signatures.
Does Disk Drill work on SSDs with TRIM enabled?
It may recover some files, but success is usually lower on TRIM-enabled SSDs because deleted blocks can be cleared quickly. If the files matter, stop using the SSD right away, then scan it as soon as possible.
Is the free version enough to test recovery before paying?
Yes, the free version lets you scan drives, preview many files, then check what is recoverable before you buy. If your goal is to confirm whether a lost document or photo is still there, the free scan is usually enough for that test.
How much does Disk Drill for Windows cost in 2026?
Pricing can change, so the safest move is to check the current plan page on the official site. In general, expect a free scan tier plus paid options for actual recovery, with the upgrade needed once you want to save files.
Can I recover files from a crashed Windows PC using Disk Drill?
Yes, if the storage drive is still readable. Remove the drive, connect it to another Windows machine with a USB enclosure or adapter, then scan it from there instead of booting the damaged PC over and over.
What should I do before running Disk Drill on a deleted file case?
Stop saving new data to the affected drive right away. Every new download, install, or copy operation can overwrite the exact blocks that held the deleted file.
Does Disk Drill recover file names or only raw content?
Sometimes it recovers both, but that depends on how the file was deleted and what the file system still remembers. If the directory metadata is intact, you may get original names, folder paths, and dates instead of generic recovered file labels.
How does Disk Drill compare with Recuva for Windows?
Disk Drill usually feels more polished and broader in its device support, while Recuva is simpler and often easier for basic undelete jobs. If you want a more guided recovery workflow with previews and deeper scan options, Disk Drill tends to be the stronger pick.
Can Disk Drill recover from a corrupted external hard drive?
Often it can, as long as the drive still shows up in Windows and can be scanned. If the drive disconnects repeatedly, make a clone first or use a recovery service, because unstable hardware can get worse fast.
What file types does Disk Drill recover well on Windows?
Photos, videos, documents, archives, audio files, plus many common office formats are usually the easiest. Less common or heavily fragmented file types can be tougher, especially if the source drive has been used a lot after deletion.
Will Disk Drill slow down my computer during a scan?
A scan can use noticeable CPU, disk, plus memory resources, so your PC may feel slower while it runs. For the best results, close heavy apps, avoid multitasking on the target drive, then let the scan finish uninterrupted.
Can Disk Drill recover files from a formatted USB flash drive?
Yes, that is one of the situations where it can do well if the flash drive has not been overwritten. USB drives are often best treated gently after data loss, so scan before copying anything back onto them.
What happens if Disk Drill cannot preview a file?
A missing preview does not always mean the file is unrecoverable. It often means the file is damaged, partially overwritten, or the format needs a different preview handler, so try recovery anyway if the file still appears in the scan results.
What is the best alternative if Disk Drill cannot find my lost files?
If Disk Drill comes up empty, try another recovery tool that specializes in your situation, such as photo recovery, partition recovery, or RAID recovery. If the drive makes clicking sounds or disappears from Windows, a professional data recovery lab may be the safer next step.
Download Disk Drill 100 MB free · Windows