UFS Explorer File Recovery Software – Best ReclaiMe alternative
UFS Explorer is the golden standard in data recovery labs
UFS Explorer is a file recovery tool made by SysDev Laboratories you might not have heard of. Google Search results for phrases like “file recovery”, “data recovery” etc., unfortunately rank tools that a data recovery engineer would never use higher than high quality data recovery software.
SysDev is one of the few brands that data recovery professionals rely on for logical data recovery. Since so many labs use it, dealing with real world cases and report about problems or new developments to developer (SysDev), new features are added all the time while existing features are improved upon. As a result the tool gets better and better and more labs start using it. I call this the development – feedback loop. SysDev is always first each time when for example a NAS manufacture implements a new RAID scheme or database based file system to add this new technology. I have witnessed SysDev developers fix a critical issue the same day as it was reported.
The average PC user today uses many type of storage devices and file systems, even though he might not even be aware of this. To recover data from any of these, the tool of choice needs to be able to work with this wide array of storage technologies and file systems.
For example:
- If you’re running a Windows PC then your main drive is probably formatted with NTFS and possibly the drive is encrypted (Bitlocker).
- But if you’re a Mac user, you’re probably dealing with file systems like HFS+ or APFS and also you need the software to run on a Mac computer.
- Perhaps you’re a photographer or video record using a GoPro, and so you’re using FAT32 and exFAT formatted memory cards.
- Many people use a NAS for data storage, sharing and backup which means without them even knowing perhaps, they use Linux file systems and RAID configurations.
Maybe you have multiple systems, a mix of Mac, Linux and/or Windows. In which case there’s a good chance you use exFAT formatted external drives as a shared storage device and different file systems on all your systems.
Point is, UFS Explorer covers it all. UFS Explorer offers the most comprehensive file system support, support for various ‘software’ RAID arrays (mdadm, Apple, NT LDM, LVM, etc.), disk encryption variants, disk images etc., etc.. But for most standard scenarios such as recovering files after deletion, partition deletion, formatting, you do not need to understand any of that.
Which version is right for you?
One small gripe I have with SysDev is that I initially found it hard to figure out what version of the software is needed to address a specific scenario, so as a next step I’d like to try simplifying this for you. It boils down to two fairly simple decisions:
1. Select platform
Based on typical end user profiles I distilled two from the many versions SysDev offers for both Windows and Mac users. It is important to understand that either of the Standard versions support the same file systems and storage technologies, the only difference is the platform you use them on (Either Windows or Mac).
If you intend to use the software on a Mac system you pick the Mac version, if the platform you install and run from is Windows then you pick the Windows version.
2. Select storage type (RAID vs Single drive / Spanned volume)
The Standard edition recovers data from single drives. So this the version you pick if you intend to use the software in a standard scenario like accidental format, accidental partition deletion, a RAW file system, etc..
Any more advanced RAID virtual reconstruction/assembly requires the UFS Explorer RAID license. So for example you have a RAID controller installed in your system, are running a RAID 5 and you discover the RAID can no longer be accessed. Of course RAID version adds functionality over the Standard version. In other words, the RAID version offers all features from the Standard version + RAID support.
Important: To recover data from RAID sets the software needs access the the individual drives (or images of the drives)!
Schematically:
Operating system --> Windows (PC) --> Recover data from single drive or SPAN* --> Standard version for Windows (download)
+ Recover data from RAID array --> RAID version for Windows "
--> Macintosh --> Recover data from single drive or SPAN* --> Standard version for Mac "
+ Recover data from RAID array --> RAID version for Mac "
* – Automated assembly of spanned volumes (mdadm, Apple, NT LDM, LVM, etc.).
License
Another thing you need to understand is that the software does not stop working after a year. You can use the software as long and as often as you like, even after one year, but you’re not entitled to updates and support after one year. So this is not a software subscription in the sense that the software requires renewal for you to use it after one year.
If you want however, you can renew the license after one year to continue receiving updates. Tip: Set a reminder when you purchase the software so you can download the latest update just before your license expires.
| Buy UFS Explorer Windows |
| BUY UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Windows – Personal License (1 year of updates) $64.95 |
| BUY UFS Explorer RAID Recovery for Windows – Personal License (1 year of updates) $139.95 |
| Buy UFS Explorer Mac |
| BUY UFS Explorer Standard Recovery for Mac – Personal License (1 year of updates) $64.95 |
| BUY UFS Explorer RAID Recovery for Mac – Personal License (1 year of updates) $139.95 |
Prices are without VAT (if applicable).
For Commercial licenses, Linux downloads and licenses, etc. check the SysDev website.
Contact / Support
I try to answer messages within one working day. Often you will receive an answer the same day. Please note that we’re located in the Netherlands, Europe (C.E.T.). Alternatively sent me an email: joep@disktuna.com.
#datarecovery #recoverdata #reclaime #filesystem #FAT #exFAT #NTFS #ReFS #APFS #UFS #HFS #HFS+ #ext2 #ext3 #ext4 #BTRFS #XFS
Hi Joep,
Your advice is a “God sent”. I have tried Recoverit, useless, iBeesoft Data Recovery.. Mistake, I shall ask for refund, it cannot recover from a WD MyCloud Quick Refresh.
As for Ontrack Data Recovery for Windows, free version only 1 Gb allowed to recover. It crashed my PC 2 time, I hsd to recover bsck to Original Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Yesterday I started it took so long nearly 9 hrs to reach stage 6 of 7! So I spent time looking up on How this Ontrack works. By accident I saw your article and opened it and read it. I just downloaded the Free ReclaiMe File Recovery and ran it, it so much easier to use and like Turbo speed.
I have question, WD MyCloud is a NAS, but I saved Acronis Image for 2016 on it, why do I see Unmounted GPT partition? It show up 2 of them as primary – Linux RAID each 1953.0 MB [ATA], but I am not using Linux, all my WD MyCloud saves have been Windows XP, some Apple OSX to specific Folders for my MacBook Pro. But the majority are Windows XP, 7 only. But i must say RecliaMe pisses on Ontrack anytime!
Im happy I found this ReclaiMe Recovery Software, so I suppose I can get a response from you. That small discount code REDDIT43G8.. I hope its still valid?
Yes, discount should be valid.
The WD is a tiny PC itself. And the OS it runs is Linux, this is true for virtually all NAS devices. So you treat this as a NAS recovery, which means taking the disks from the NAS device > Attach to PC > Run ReclaiMe > Look for Linux md-raid volumes. Basically this video shows the generic procedure: https://youtu.be/7zwPfEU4pg0
Hello from the Uk and thanks for such a well laid out and informative website!
I have been playing about with Photoshop for many years and do a lot of photography and video work on and off.
I just returned from a holiday to the Maldives for a week, and had my old (very good quality HD etch) Samsung J5 phone – used solely as a camera whilst away and at times, in an old camera housing to get some snorkelling footage as well!
All seemed to be working OK as it had taken video and pictures for the firste few days and nearer the end of the week – But about 200 images seem to have dissapeared ! Grey boxes and not playable.
Done all the recovery methods to try to recover, both from the SD card itself and then after copying the card contents to my PC at home everything that I can think of from Ifranview image browsing 6 different recovery softwares (including yours) but still no joy with the missing 200 – file sizes are being reported back by windows to each image placeholder and clearly stating Jpeg as the file type but no image showing up.
I then read on your site about looking at the data with the Hex reader – and sure enough just lots of FF FF FF FF FF all through from start to finish on every file!!! I assume this means they are gone forever?
The SD card was a cheap chinese 128GB – but did actually work as stated for the first few days and the last few days – just the 200 images and maybe 10 videos in among that 200. Do I waste my time here or do you think their is something else I have not tried yet.
As always sentimentality with taken images is irreplaceable, so ANY hope if there is any would be very welcome indeed, thanks very much,
Yours Sincerely,
Steve Barnett
Hi,
Thanks for the compliments about the site!
When you say you used my software, you mean JPEG Recovery LAB?
Kind regards,
Joep