How to recover videos using windows file recovery

Losing video files can be a frustrating experience, especially when the content is irreplaceable from personal memories captured on a phone or camera to essential work-related footage. Whether it was due to accidental deletion, formatting, system crashes, or virus attacks, the disappearance of video files from your computer or external drives can seem catastrophic.

However, hope isn’t lost. Microsoft provides a powerful command-line utility called Windows File Recovery, designed to help users retrieve lost files, including videos, from local storage devices. Unlike traditional recovery software with graphical interfaces, Windows File Recovery operates through the command prompt, making it more flexible and efficient, albeit a bit intimidating for some users.

Windows File Recovery (WFR) is a free utility developed by Microsoft, available for Windows 10 (version 2004 and later) and Windows 11. It allows users to recover deleted files from local storage devices such as internal hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. The tool supports various file types, including documents, images, and most importantly for this guide, video files like MP4. AVI, MOV, MKV, WMV, and others.

Unlike typical file recovery tools that use a GUI, Windows File Recovery relies on command-line input, which may initially appear challenging. However, once you understand its structure and functionality, it becomes a powerful ally in file restoration.

How Does It Work?

When a file is deleted, it isn’t immediately erased from your storage device. Instead, the file system marks the space as available, but the actual data remains until it’s overwritten. Windows File Recovery searches through these “free” or unallocated spaces for file remnants and attempts to piece them back together.

To maximize the chances of success, it’s vital to stop using the affected drive immediately and perform recovery as soon as possible.

Installing Windows File Recovery

Before using the tool, make sure it’s installed on your system. Follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft Store on your computer.

Search for Windows File Recovery.

Click Install.

Once installed, open the Command Prompt as Administrator.

Alternatively, you can install it using PowerShell:

powershell

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winget install –id=Microsoft.WindowsFileRecovery

Understanding Recovery Modes

Windows File Recovery provides several recovery modes based on the file system (NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS) and the nature of file loss. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Default Mode

Best for recently deleted files on NTFS drives.

Works quickly and doesn’t scan the entire disk.

2. Segment Mode

Recovers files using file record segments (FRS).

Useful when metadata still exists, even if the directory entry is lost.

3. Signature Mode

Scans the disk for specific file types based on their headers/footers.

Ideal for deeply deleted or corrupted files.

Works with all file systems (NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS).

Useful for video file recovery due to its ability to search file structures.

Tip: For video files, Signature Mode is typically the most effective, especially if a file was lost some time ago or the disk was formatted.

Basic Syntax of Windows File Recovery

The general command syntax is:

bash

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winfr source-drive: destination-folder /mode /switches

source-drive: – The drive where the video was lost.

destination-folder – The folder where recovered files will be saved (must be on a different drive).

/mode – Recovery mode (Default, Segment, Signature).

/switches – Additional filters and file type selections.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you accidentally deleted some .mp4 videos from D: and want to recover them to a folder on E:.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Videos

Step 1: Stop Using the Drive Immediately

To prevent overwriting the deleted video files, avoid saving new files or installing programs on the affected drive. This ensures the best recovery chances.

Step 2: Create a Recovery Destination

Make sure the recovery destination is a different drive from the source. For example, if your deleted files were on D:, create a folder named RecoveredVideos on E:.

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E:\RecoveredVideos

Step 3: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click Start and type cmd.

Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 4: Run Windows File Recovery

Here’s a sample command to recover .mp4 files using Signature Mode:

bash

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winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /x /y:MP4

Explanation:

D: – Source drive where videos were deleted.

E:\RecoveredVideos – Destination folder for recovery.

/x – Signature Mode.

/y:MP4 – Restricts search to .mp4 files only.

If you also want to recover .avi, .mov, and .wmv files:

bash

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winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /x /y:MP4.AVI,MOV,WMV

Recovery of Videos from a Formatted Drive

If you’ve formatted a USB drive or SD card that contained videos, the process is similar. Assuming the formatted drive is F::

bash

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winfr F: E:\RecoveredVideos /x /y:MP4.AVI,MOV,MKV

Using Wildcards to Filter Files

Windows File Recovery allows pattern matching to recover specific filenames or extensions.

Example: Recover all .mp4 files with “vacation” in the name:

bash

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winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /r /n *vacation*.mp4

/r – Segment Mode.

/n – Filters files by name or extension.

Note: Wildcard filters are not available in Signature Mode.

If you’re recovering from an SD card or USB drive formatted as exFAT, you must use Signature Mode.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. “Access Denied” or “Permission Denied”

Ensure you’re running Command Prompt as Administrator.

Destination folder must be on a different drive than the source.

2. “No files found”

Try another mode, especially Signature Mode.

Double-check the file extension used in the command.

Ensure you haven’t overwritten the data by using the drive.

3. “Unknown Switch” Error

Make sure switches like /x or /y: are typed correctly.

Use proper spacing.

Tips for Better Recovery Results

Act quickly after file deletion.

Avoid saving new files to the source drive.

Use Signature Mode for best results with video files.

Try recovering multiple file types at once.

Always recover to a different physical drive.

Automating the Process

If you’re planning to recover videos regularly, you can create a simple batch file to streamline the process.

bat

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@echo off set source=D: set destination=E:\RecoveredVideos winfr %source% %destination% /x /y:MP4.AVI,MOV,MKV pause

Save this as recover_videos.bat and run it as Administrator when needed.

Limitations of Windows File Recovery

While Windows File Recovery is powerful, it does have some limitations:

Command-line only: No GUI makes it less user-friendly for some.

No preview: You can’t preview files before recovering.

File names may be changed: In Signature Mode, files are recovered by type, not original name.

No network or cloud recovery: Only works on local drives.

Alternative Microsoft Solution: File History

If you’ve enabled File History or Backup and Restore, check these options first for an easier recovery path:

Open File Explorer.

Right-click the folder where the video was.

Select Restore previous versions.

Choose a version and click Restore.

This doesn’t involve command-line tools and may restore your videos with original names and paths intact.

When Windows File Recovery Doesn’t Work

If you’ve tried all modes and still can’t find your videos, it might be time to:

Use a third-party recovery tool with GUI.

Consult a professional data recovery service, especially if the drive is physically damaged.

Windows File Recovery is a free and surprisingly capable tool that, while less intuitive than GUI-based programs, offers serious power under the hood. For users who have lost valuable video content whether from accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption this tool is often the first and best step to take before considering paid solutions.

Its strength lies in its deep scan capabilities and file-type-based recovery. By using Signature Mode and the appropriate filters, most common video file types can be recovered, even after apparent loss. While it doesn’t provide conveniences like file previews or drag-and-drop recovery, its reliability and efficiency make it a vital part of any data recovery toolkit.