Have you ever faced the file overwritten issue? If yes, then this is the right place to solve it. An overwritten file is a waste of old data and can lead to errors or corrupted files or the loss of valuable information. Some people deliberately overwrite their files or folders to permanently delete old data. However, some people do it by mistake. That is why many people wonder how to recover overwritten files.
The simple answer is that you can follow different methods or alternatives to restore the old data even if it has been changed. However, this is applicable in certain circumstances. Also, some tools are easily available in the market that also help you to recover your old data. Here we will consider in detail all possible solutions to this problem.
Part 1: Things to do before learning how to recover overwritten files
It is important to know what overwritten files mean and why it happens. An overwritten file means that the old data was mistakenly replaced by the newly written data. This results in data loss and a person may or may not be able to recover such files depending on several factors which we will discuss later. However, some of the file modification scenarios are as follows:
- You made some new changes to your file just to check the effects, but you accidentally saved the new version.
- You have two files with the same name, and you accidentally saved the file with the same name, allowing the computer to replace the old file with the new one.
- In addition to human error, files or folders can be changed due to various program errors or viruses.
- Last but not least, if your operating system stops working properly, it can result in changed files, especially when such an error occurs during the process of saving new files.
Part 2: Can the overwritten files be recovered?
People often ask the question on online query platforms like Quora “Can overwritten files be recovered?”. In fact, it is difficult to recover overwritten files if you are not in the habit of backing up your files frequently.
However, even if you don’t have this habit, you don’t have to worry about it. There are also some effective methods to recover overwritten files. All you have to do is follow a few simple steps and your job will be done. The ideal procedure depends on whether you’re running Windows or Mac, so we’ll describe the appropriate methods for both systems.
Part 3: Recovery of deleted files in Windows 10
The methods for recovering changed data on Windows are different from the files you have on a Mac. So, we’ll talk about them separately. The following are alternative options to recover deleted files in Windows 10:
3.1 Recovery of overwritten files using a data recovery tool
Are you still looking for an answer to the question of how to restore modified files? Then be sure to try Tenorshare 4DDiG, a data recovery tool. This tool is widely used to recover deleted files from Windows 10. This software offers a user-friendly interface, so anyone can use it with a little practice. Also, the data recovered with the help of this useful tool remains safe due to its privacy policy.
This helpful guide also teaches you how to recover overwritten files or follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to the official website and download this useful tool on your system.
Step 2 – Now launch it and you will get clear instructions on each step. Follow them as they are.
Step 3: Select the scan button and start the search process. In this process, you can view the files in two different views.
Step 4: In the search results, select the file you want to recover and select the Recover option at the bottom right corner of the page. Don’t forget to put the recovered files on the new partition
Note: This overwritten file recovery does not require a backup. Also, you will perform the same steps if an external hard drive is included in the overwritten file recovery. Select the drive in the step before starting the scanning process.
3.2 How to recover overwritten files using system restore
With the help of system restore, you can also recover your old data. Follow these steps to enable it:
Step 1 – Type “System Restore” in the Control Panel search box and select “Create a restore point”.
Step 2: Click the “System Protection” tab, then click the “System Restore” button.
Step 3: Select a restore point and click “Next” and then “Finish”.
Step 4: Wait for the process to complete and your computer will reboot.
Note: This method is only useful if you have a backup on your system.
3.3 Recover overwritten files by restoring the system from previous versions
Another way to recover data is to use system restore from previous versions. According to this alternative, the following are the steps that you need to perform to restore the changed files:
Step 1: Go to File Explorer and find the file or folder you want to recover.
Step 2: Right-click to open the menu and select “restore previous versions” option.
Step 3: Your window will give you a list of the previous version of the selected file; select the version you need for your use.
Step 4 – At the end there is a restore button, click on it and in seconds you will get the original form for your data.
Note: Again, this method needs a backup; otherwise, you won’t be able to get a list of previous versions of your files.
How to recover overwritten files from a backup
The recovery process is much easier if you have a backup system in terms of an external hard drive. All you need to do is connect your hard drive to the system and perform the following simple steps:
Step 1: Go to system settings and then select Update & security option.
Step 2 – Backup option will appear, click on it
Step 3 – Now restore your files to your computer with the help of an external hard drive as a backup.
Part 4: Recover deleted files on Mac
On the other hand, you also have three options to recover overwritten files on Mac.
4.1 How to recover files overwritten using Time Machine
You can recover overwritten files on Mac using Time Machine, a backup tool that helps to recover important data lost due to overwriting. Here are the steps to do it:
Step 1: Connect the Time Machine backup disk to your computer.
Step 2 – Browse to the location that contains the files you want to restore. With the help of the timeline, you can easily find the required file.
Step 3: Now select Enter Time Machine from the Time Machine menu.
Step 4: Select the Restore button when you have selected the correct file.
Note: The method is only useful if you have set up a time machine backup. If not, choose other options to recover your lost data.
4.2 Recovery of deleted files with the auto save function
With the help of auto save features, you can also recover the corresponding files without Time Machine. In this feature, changes made to the file are saved as previous versions. Therefore, you can recover your old data by following the steps below:
Step 1: Create a file with the name of your overridden file in the same location.
Step 2: Open the file and select “File” from the menu.
Step 3 – You will see an option titled “Go Back To”, select it and then select “Browse All Versions”.
Step 4: A list of all versions will appear, then select the one you want to have.
Step 5: Select the location of the file and select Restore. You will be allowed to recover your old data as you now have access to the old version of your file.
4.3 Recover files overwritten using 4DDiG
The third option you have is to use a tool called 4DDiG, as mentioned above. This data recovery tool is not just for Windows; Mac users can also use it to recover their data. The following are the main features that it offers to its Mac users.
- You will get fast results as scanning the appropriate files does not take much time.
- The probability of recovering your old data is quite high with this tool.
- You don’t need to use SIP to recover files on Mac.
- It takes care of all Mac based devices including USB, digital cameras etc.
- You can run this tool on a wide application like T2 chip, M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and MacOS Ventura
Conclusion
All the above details guide you how to efficiently recover the changed files without any delay. Whether you want to recover data on Windows or Mac, we have put together all the possible ways. If you are not in the habit of backing up your files or occasionally forget to back up your files, don’t miss the benefits of using the 4DDiG tool that is suitable for both Mac and Windows files.
Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education