Recuva is a popular, lightweight file recovery tool for Windows that helps recover accidentally deleted files from hard drives, USB drives, memory cards and more. If you searched for recuva download, recuva free download, recuva for pc, recuva mac, this page explains official downloads, installer vs portable, Mac options, tips and troubleshooting.
Why Choose Recuva?
Easy to use: Simple wizard for quick scans and advanced mode for deep recovery.
Free version: Core recovery features are available for free; premium/Pro editions add advanced support.
Portable option: Run Recuva from a USB stick without installing on the target PC (recommended to avoid overwriting deleted data).
Supports many media: Recover files from HDD, SSD (with limits), USB drives, SD cards, and camera cards.
Quick & deep scan: Fast first-pass scan and deeper scan for thoroughly deleted data.
Official Download Options
Installer (EXE): Standard setup for most users — integrates with Windows.
Portable ZIP: Extract on another PC or USB and run Recuva without installing (preferred when performing recovery on the affected drive).
System: Recuva is primarily for Windows (replace {{OS_NAME}} with Windows 10/11 or target OS).
How to Use Recuva — Quick Steps
Download the Portable ZIP (recommended) or Installer from the official link.
If possible, run Recuva from a different drive/PC than the one you’re recovering from to avoid overwriting deleted files.
Open Recuva ? follow the Wizard: choose file type (pictures, documents, video, all files), select location, and start scan.
Review found files — use preview where available — select files to recover and choose a recovery destination on a different drive.
If initial scan fails, run “Deep Scan” (longer but more thorough). Do not save recovered files to the same drive you are recovering from.
Recuva on Mac — Reality & Alternatives
No official macOS build: Recuva is Windows-native and does not have an official Mac version.
Mac alternatives: For macOS try tools like Disk Drill, PhotoRec (open-source), EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, or Stellar Data Recovery.
Workarounds: Advanced users might try running Windows in a VM on Mac and using Recuva inside it — but direct Mac-native tools are usually better and safer.
Troubleshooting & Recovery Tips
Stop using the affected drive: To maximize recovery success, avoid writing new files to the drive until recovery finishes.
Use portable mode: Run Recuva from a USB drive or different system when possible.
Choose recovery destination carefully: Always recover files to a different physical drive than the source.
Deep Scan: Use deep scan if quick scan finds nothing — it takes longer but can find older deletions.
SSD considerations: SSDs with TRIM enabled may not allow recovery of deleted files — act quickly and check backups.
FAQ
Q: Is Recuva free?
A: Recuva offers a free edition with core recovery features. A paid Pro version may include premium support and extra features (check the official site for current edition differences).
Q: Can Recuva recover from formatted drives?
A: Sometimes — deep scan can locate files after formatting, but success depends on whether new data has overwritten deleted sectors.
Q: Can I recover files from an SD card or camera?
A: Yes — Recuva supports removable media; remove the card and connect via a card reader and run recovery from another computer if possible.
Alternatives
Disk Drill — popular recovery tool for Windows & macOS (macOS native option)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard — commercial with easy UI
R-Studio — advanced recovery for professionals
Conclusion
Download Recuva for {{OS_NAME}} to attempt recovery of deleted files quickly. Use portable mode, avoid writing to the affected drive, and consider macOS alternatives since Recuva is Windows-focused. Replace placeholders ({{VERSION}}, {{FILE_SIZE}}) with official values before publishing.
