Data Recovery Software Comparison: AOMEI, Aiseesoft, and Stellar for Every Need

Are deleted files erased immediately by the operating system, or only once the freed-up storage space is overwritten?

One wrong click, a hasty press of the Delete key, an accidental format—and suddenly files you should never have deleted are gone. Photos from your last vacation, completed project documents, tax-related receipts. What many people don’t realize in that moment: Gone doesn’t necessarily mean lost. The operating system doesn’t physically delete files immediately—it merely marks the storage area as free. As long as this area isn’t overwritten, the data is still there. Whether and how much can be recovered depends on a few, but crucial, factors. This article explains what really happens technically, which software helps in which scenario, and what you absolutely must do—and avoid doing—in the first few minutes after a data loss.

Are deleted files really gone—or are they still on the hard drive?

No, most of the time they aren’t gone. When Windows deletes a file, it initially only removes the entry in the file system—the reference that tells the operating system where the file is located on the drive and what it’s called. The actual file content, i.e., the bytes on the sectors of the storage medium, remains untouched. The storage area is merely marked as available so that new data can be stored there.

As long as no new write operation has overwritten this area, the original data is still physically present. Data recovery software takes advantage of exactly this fact: It scans the storage medium for data blocks that are no longer registered in the active file system and attempts to reconstruct complete files from them. How successful this is depends on the condition of the drive, the file system, and, above all, how much data has been written to the storage medium since the deletion.

The technical distinction is important: There is logical deletion—the removal of the reference in the file system—and physical deletion, in which the actual data bytes are specifically overwritten. Normal deletion, including emptying the Recycle Bin, is almost always only logical. Only targeted overwrite tools or certain SSD mechanisms perform physical deletion.

What happens when you empty the Recycle Bin—and why isn’t that the end of it?

Technically, emptying the Recycle Bin does less than most people expect. Windows removes the file entries from the file system index and marks the sectors as available—that’s it. The actual data on the drive remains unchanged. For Windows, the Recycle Bin is just a special folder; emptying it is a purely administrative operation within the file system for the operating system.

This means: Even after emptying the Recycle Bin, the file contents remain fully intact on the storage medium in the vast majority of cases. Data recovery software locates these orphaned data blocks using specialized scanning algorithms and can, in many cases, fully or partially restore the files.

Time is of the essence—more precisely: what has happened on the drive since the deletion. Every write operation, every installation, every download increases the risk that the affected storage area, of all places, will be overwritten with new data. Those who react quickly and handle the drive with care have a much better chance of success.

How does deleting data on an SSD differ from an HDD?

On a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), a deleted sector is simply marked as available and is only overwritten when the operating system actually stores new data there. The original data remains physically intact until that happens—sometimes for days or longer if the drive is rarely used.

With SSDs, TRIM often comes into play. When Windows deletes a file, it informs the SSD controller which blocks are no longer needed. Modern SSDs then actively delete these blocks in the background—not because new data is being written, but because the controller is preparing the blocks for future write operations. The goal is write performance; the consequence is actual physical data loss.

In practice, this means: data recovery from an SSD with TRIM enabled is significantly more difficult and often no longer possible once the controller has cleared the blocks. How quickly this happens varies depending on the manufacturer and firmware. The most important step after data loss on an SSD: immediately disconnect the drive from the system. Any further activity dramatically reduces the chances of recovery.

What should you do immediately—and what should you absolutely avoid—when data is lost?

The most important rule after data loss is: Write as little as possible to the affected drive. Every new write operation can permanently destroy the remaining data.

• Immediately stop writing to the affected drive or shut down the computer if it is the system drive.
• Never install data recovery software on the affected drive itself—always on a separate storage device.
• Always save recovered files to a drive other than the source drive.
• Do not defragment, run CHKDSK, or attempt to repair the affected file system while the recovery is still in progress.
• For external drives: Unplug the cable and set the drive aside until recovery software is ready.

For Windows users who want to act quickly without a long learning curve, AOMEI MyRecover has proven to be a practical tool. The software detects files that have been deleted, formatted, or lost due to crashes, offers an AI-powered deep scan, and clearly guides even less experienced users through the recovery process.

AOMEI MyRecover

Fast, accessible data recovery for Windows—from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. With AI-powered scanning and a user-friendly interface, it’s easy to use even for beginners.

Check out AOMEI MyRecover now

Can data still be recovered from a formatted drive?

With a quick format: very often, yes. Windows only deletes the file system and the index of existing files, but does not overwrite the actual data on the sectors. The files are no longer visible to the system, but are still physically present on the drive.

It becomes more difficult with a full format: here, all sectors are actively overwritten with zeros. In this case, the original data is actually deleted—recovery is practically impossible. The good news: Windows usually performs a quick format unless the user explicitly selects a full format.

Recovery after a quick format requires a deep scan that searches the drive sector by sector for known file headers. Stellar Data Recovery 12 is one of the most widely used and reliable tools for this scenario—with support for NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and other file systems, as well as a file preview before recovery begins.

Stellar Data Recovery 12

The latest major version of Stellar for Windows—featuring deep scan mode, broad file system support, and a preview function before recovery. Proven for formatting, file system errors, and accidental deletion.

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How does data recovery software work technically—and how reliable is it really?

Data recovery software operates on two levels. First, it analyzes the file system and searches for entries marked as deleted but whose data blocks have not yet been overwritten. This is the quick method—often completed in minutes—and frequently delivers complete results with filenames and folder structure for recent deletions.

If the file system is damaged or no longer readable after formatting, the deep scan takes over. It completely ignores the file system and scans the drive byte by byte for known file headers—so-called magic bytes—to identify files based on their signatures. This takes several hours for large drives, but it also finds files that would no longer be accessible through normal means due to file system damage. File names and folder structures are usually lost in the process.

Reliability depends heavily on how much data has been written to the drive since the loss occurred. For recent data loss with minimal subsequent activity, the success rates for common file types range between 70 and 90 percent. Aiseesoft Data Recovery is a solid choice for everyday scenarios of this kind—easy to use, with filter options by file type and a preview that shows, before recovery, whether the found files are still fully readable.

Aiseesoft Data Recovery

An accessible solution for common data loss scenarios on Windows and macOS—with a clear interface, file type filters, and a preview function before the actual recovery.

Check out Aiseesoft Data Recovery now

What is the difference between a Quick Scan and a Deep Scan?

The Quick Scan reads the file system index and searches for entries marked as deleted but whose data blocks are still accessible. This is fast—often taking just a few minutes—and delivers reliable results for recent deletions, including the original filenames and folder paths.

The Deep Scan ignores the file system and searches every single sector for file headers. It finds files that would no longer be recoverable via Quick Scan after formatting, a severe file system error, or a long period of time since deletion. The downside: It takes considerably longer and returns files without their original names—the found files are then categorized by type, not by their original names.

For most users, it’s worth starting with the Quick Scan first. Only if that doesn’t yield any usable results should you proceed to the more time-consuming Deep Scan. Stellar Data Recovery 9 offers both modes and, as a proven older version, is an option for Windows systems that do not support newer versions, or for users seeking a cost-effective entry-level solution with solid basic functionality.

Stellar Data Recovery 9

A proven older version with Quick and Deep Scan – suitable for older Windows systems or as a more affordable entry-level solution with reliable basic functionality for standard scenarios.

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Which file types can be recovered most reliably?

Files with known and unique file headers are easiest to find using the deep scan. JPEG photos, PDFs, Office documents (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), ZIP archives, and common video formats like MP4 or MOV have distinct identifying features at the beginning of the file that any data recovery software can specifically search for. RAW camera formats—NEF, CR2, ARW—are also easy to locate, provided the data is still present.

Files that were scattered across the drive in many small fragments—i.e., heavily fragmented files—are harder to reconstruct. Very large video files on heavily used drives may also be incomplete. Short text files without standardized headers are also more difficult to find.

Stellar Data Recovery 10 builds on the foundation of Version 9 with an improved scan engine and broader file type coverage. Especially with newer Office formats and modern camera RAW files, Version 10 delivers more reliable results than its predecessor.

Stellar Data Recovery 10

A solid improvement over Version 9—with a refined scan engine and expanded file type support for more modern formats. A good choice for users who don’t need the latest version but require more coverage than Version 9 provides.

View Stellar Data Recovery 10 now

Which data recovery software is suitable for which use case?

A home user who has accidentally deleted some photos has different needs than an administrator who needs to recover data from a failed NAS or RAID system. The following table provides a direct comparison of the key differences among general-purpose data recovery tools.

Notes: Partial (AOMEI MyRecover / Perpetual License) means that different licensing models are offered depending on the edition—please check the specific version when purchasing. Partial (Aiseesoft / Partition Recovery) indicates limited functionality compared to specialized tools. Limited (Stellar DR 12 / Mac and Linux file systems) means that the Windows version primarily supports NTFS, FAT, and exFAT; there is a separate Stellar product line for macOS. Limited (Stellar DR Toolkit / Beginners) indicates that the advanced RAID and NAS features require prior technical knowledge. Limited (Stellar DR 10 / Enterprise) means that the tool is suitable for simple enterprise scenarios but does not offer RAID or NAS support.

Anyone operating a RAID system, NAS storage, or virtual machines who has lost data there cannot do without the Stellar Data Recovery Toolkit. For all other standard scenarios, the simpler tools are generally the faster and more affordable choice.

Stellar Data Recovery Toolkit

The most powerful solution in the Stellar line—with full support for RAID, NAS, virtual hard drives, and file systems on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Designed for administrators and tech-savvy users with complex recovery needs.

Check out Stellar Data Recovery Toolkit now

What is the difference between data recovery and file repair?

These two terms describe fundamentally different issues but are often confused. Data recovery refers to the restoration of files that have been deleted or are no longer accessible because the file system is damaged. File repair, on the other hand, deals with files that still exist—but can no longer be opened because they themselves are damaged or corrupted.

A photo that can no longer be viewed after a write error on the memory card does not need to be recovered, but rather repaired. The file still exists—it is only damaged in its internal structure. For such cases, there are specialized repair tools that analyze the damaged file structures and reconstruct them as much as possible.

Stellar Repair for Photo is designed for exactly this scenario. The software repairs damaged JPEG, TIFF, HEIC, and various RAW camera formats—even in cases of severe corruption. A preview before saving shows what could be recovered.

Stellar Repair for Photo

Specialized in repairing damaged image files—JPEG, RAW, TIFF, HEIC, and other formats. Available for Windows and macOS, with a preview feature before saving the repaired files.

View Stellar Repair for Photo now

The same principle applies to video files. An MP4 or MOV file that can no longer be played after an interrupted copy process or a camera crash is usually not lost—it is corrupted. Stellar Repair for Video was developed specifically for this scenario and supports all common video formats.

Stellar Repair for Video

Repairs unplayable or damaged video files in formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, M4V, and others. Delivers usable results even for files that have become corrupted due to transfer errors or recording interruptions.

Check out Stellar Repair for Video now

How do I recover deleted photos and videos from a memory card or camera?

Recovering photos and videos from memory cards, SD cards, or directly from a camera is one of the most common recovery scenarios—and one where the chances of success are high if action is taken early. Memory cards typically use FAT32 or exFAT, file systems on which data recovery software works very effectively.

The most important step after accidental deletion: Do not write to the card, do not reformat it, and turn off the device if possible. The less data is written to the card afterward, the better the chances of a complete recovery.

Stellar Photo Recovery 11 specializes in exactly this scenario. The software supports RAW formats from all major camera manufacturers—Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and others—can recover deleted photos and videos from SD, CF, and XQD cards, and displays a preview before the actual recovery.

Stellar Photo Recovery 11

The latest version of Stellar for deleted photos and videos—with broad camera RAW support, a preview feature, and recovery from SD cards, CF cards, and other storage media.

Check out Stellar Photo Recovery 11 now

Is Stellar Photo Recovery 10 still worth it—or should you go straight to version 11?

Stellar Photo Recovery 10 is a mature and stable version with solid core functionality for classic photo and video recovery scenarios. If you’re working on an older Windows system or don’t need the specific new features of version 11, this version will still serve you well.

Compared to version 10, version 11 primarily offers improved support for newer camera models and more recent RAW formats, as well as a revamped scan engine with a higher detection rate for fragmented or partially overwritten media files. For photographers working with current cameras, Version 11 is the better choice. For older camera models and standard scenarios, Version 10 remains a valid and generally more affordable alternative.

The following table shows how the four Stellar specialized tools for photos and videos differ from one another—so it’s clear which tool is designed for which problem.

Note: "Limited" (Stellar Repair for Video / Photographers) means that the tool is designed exclusively for video files and is only relevant for photographers if video footage from the shoot is affected.

Stellar Photo Recovery 10

A proven older version for recovering deleted photos and videos—reliable for standard scenarios and older camera models, with a preview feature and support for Windows and Mac.

View Stellar Photo Recovery 10 now

What to do if an external hard drive or USB flash drive is no longer recognized?

If the drive is no longer recognized by the system, there are two fundamentally different causes: logical errors and physical defects. In the case of logical errors—such as a damaged file system, a faulty partition table entry, or a driver issue—data recovery software can still be effective. With physical damage, it’s a different story.

Initial diagnosis: Check whether the drive appears in Windows Device Manager or Disk Management, even if it isn’t visible in File Explorer. If it appears there, it’s usually a logical issue—that’s software territory. If it isn’t visible there either, everything points to a hardware problem.

Before using data recovery software, it’s worth trying a different cable and USB port and testing the drive on another computer. Many supposed drive failures vanish into thin air when using a different port or cable. Only after these basic steps have been exhausted should software be used—and even then, never install data recovery software on the affected drive.

Is data recovery software worth it for businesses and administrators?

For standard scenarios on individual workstations—accidentally deleted documents, file system errors, accidentally formatted drives—software-based data recovery is usually the fastest and most cost-effective solution. Instead of hiring an external service provider for several hundred euros, in many cases you can achieve results yourself in just a few hours.

With RAID systems, NAS storage, or virtualized environments, the wheat is separated from the chaff. Most consumer tools fail as soon as drive arrays or third-party file systems come into play. Here, the Stellar Data Recovery Toolkit is the right choice—it supports RAID reconstruction, NAS recovery, and virtual drives such as VMDK, VHD, and VHDX.

For businesses, the rule is: data recovery software is an emergency measure, not a substitute for backup. A well-thought-out backup strategy makes the use of such tools unnecessary in the best-case scenario. Those who maintain regular backups do not have to rely on the recovery chances of recovery software in an emergency.

How reliable is data recovery software—and what determines its success?

Under favorable conditions, it is surprisingly effective. In cases of recent data loss, a drive that has seen little new data written to it since the loss, and common file formats such as JPEG, PDF, or Office documents, the success rates of good software range from 70 to 90 percent. These are not marketing claims, but figures that can be explained by the underlying file system technology.

The outlook is less favorable for SSDs with TRIM enabled, heavily fragmented files, long periods of time since the data loss, and drives that have been used intensively since then. Even small files that were located exactly in the sector that has since been overwritten are usually beyond recovery.

An important feature of reputable data recovery tools: they allow you to preview the found files before anything is saved. If you can see that the photos or documents to be recovered are still complete and readable, you don’t have to buy a pig in a poke. Many providers offer the scan for free—you only pay for the download. This is a fair approach and should be considered when choosing a product.

When is professional hardware data recovery the only option?

Software-based recovery reaches its absolute limit when the storage device is physically defective. Clattering or grinding noises from an HDD, an SSD that suddenly stops responding, damage from fire, water, or severe shocks—in these cases, software is no longer helpful.

Attempting to recover a physically damaged drive using software scans can exacerbate the damage. A damaged read head scraping over bad sectors can further damage the magnetic surface and thereby destroy the last remaining data. Professional cleanroom labs open the drive under controlled conditions, replace defective components, and first create a complete sector image before beginning data extraction.

Professional data recovery often costs several hundred to over a thousand euros, depending on the effort involved and the extent of the damage. Software solutions are therefore always the first choice—but only if the drive is still recognized by the system and there is no physical damage. Knowing the difference saves time, stress, and, in case of doubt, the data itself.