Interface and Features
Demo version restrictions
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Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. File preview. | |
| R-Studio | 5.0 | A demo version in all versions. File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Recovery Explorer Professional | 5.0 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| DiskGenius | 4.5 | The program site says: “Only small files can be copied.” A 20 MB file was recovered during a test. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 4.0 | File preview only. The Demo version cannot recover files. | |
| WinHex | 4.0 | Recovers files up to 200 KB. Some limitations in its hex editor functionality. A time limit for 45 days. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE has the lightest demo mode restrictions. | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Explorer Professional | 5.0 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| R-Studio | 5.0 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. A demo version in R-Studio Technician. | |
| DiskGenius | 4.5 | The program site says: “Only small files can be copied”. A 20 MB file was recovered during a test. | |
| Stellar Windows Data Recovery | 4.0 | File preview only. Data recovery requires a purchased license. | |
| WinHex | 4.0 | Recovers files up to 200 KB. Some limitations in its hex editor functionality. A time limit for 45 days. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 4.0 | File preview only. The Demo version cannot recover files. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. Since our last review: R-Studio has a demo version for its Technician version. Stellar Windows Data Recovery has removed free recovery of 1 GB. Only file preview remains. Recovery Explorer Professional has an increased file size limitations of 768 KB. | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. File preview. | |
| Stellar Windows Data Recovery | 4.5 | There’s a free version that can recover up to 1 GB. It has some limitations: an image cannot be created, recovery form CD/DVD is disabled, recovers files from lost partition and unbootable system recovery operations are disabled. | |
| Recovery Explorer RAID | 3.5 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 3.5 | The Demo version cannot recover files. File preview. | |
| R-Studio | 3.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| WinHex | 2.5 | Recovers files up to 200 KB. Some limitations in its hex editor functionality. A time limit of 45 days. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the high-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. Stellar Windows Data Recovery has a free version that can recover up to 1 GB of lost data. Since our last review: Stellar Windows Data Recovery has now a free version that can recover files up to 1 GB. DMDE can preview files in its newly added file previewer. | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 5.0 | The Demo version cannot recover files, but they can be previewed. Upon request, users may receive a 14-day demo key for a fully functional copy. | |
| Recovery Explorer RAID | 3.5 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| R-Studio | 3.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| GetDataBack+RAID Reconstructor | 3.5 | Files can be previewed and opened in their respective application (if installed). Demo version of RAID Reconstructor: the demo version does not allow for any type of output, including image copying. | |
| WinHex | 2.5 | Recovers files up to 200 KB. Some limitations in its hex editor functionality. A time limit for 45 days. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which make it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery provided the native applications are installed on the machine. Also, ReclaiMe File Recovery provides full functionality for 14 days upon a test key request. | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 5.0 | The Demo version cannot recover files. (for Ultimate) Upon request, users may receive a 14-day demo key for a fully functional Pro copy with no functional limitations except the disable copy option. | |
| R-Studio | 3.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Recovery Explorer RAID | 3.5 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery Technician | 3.0 | No file recovery. File preview. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Active@ File Recovery Ultimate | 2.0 | Recovers files up to 64 KB. File preview (up to 10 MB). No time limit for the demo version. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which makes it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery, provided the native applications are installed on the machine. Also, ReclaiMe File Recovery Pro provides full functionality for 14 days upon a test key request. | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. | |
| ReclaiMe File Recovery | 5.0 | The Demo version cannot recover files. Upon request, users may receive a 14-day demo key for a fully functional copy. | |
| R-Studio | 3.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Recovery Explorer Professional | 3.5 | Recovers files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Data Rescue 5 | 3.0 | The only demo mode limitation is that recovered files cannot be saved. Only 10 files can be previewed. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Active@ File Recovery Ultimate Corporate | 2.0 | File preview (up to 10 MB). Recovers files up to 64 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Do Your Data Recovery | 1.0 | File preview. No file recovery. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which makes it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery, provided the native applications are installed on the machine. Also, ReclaiMe File Recovery provides full functionality for 14 days upon a test key request. Since our last review: Recovery Explorer Professional now has an increased size of files that can be recovered in the demo mode (from 256 to 768). | |||
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. | |
| R-Studio | 4.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. No time limit for the demo version | |
| Active@ File Recovery | 3.5 | File preview (up to 10 MB). Recovers files up to 64 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Recovery Explorer Professional | 3.5 | Recovers files up to 256 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| FILERECOVERY Enterprise | 3.0 | The only demo mode limitation is that recovered files cannot be saved. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| ReclaiMe file recovery | 2.5 | Ultimate: file recovery is disabled. Pro: Users receive a 14-day demo key for a fully functional copy. The only exception is that the copy option is disabled. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher-ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which makes it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery, provided the native applications are installed on the machine. Also, ReclaiMe File Recovery Pro provides full functionality for 14 days. | |||
Demo versions allow you to test whether or not a program will be able to recover your data before investing in a license. Because different utilities perform differently in each scenario, it's a good idea to keep demo versions in your data recovery toolset. However, it's crucial for each utility to give an accurate portrayal of how the licensed version will work.
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. | |
| R-Studio | 4.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). | |
| UFS Explorer Professional Recovery | 3.5 | Recovers and previews files up to 256 KB. | |
| FILERECOVERY Enterprise | 3.5 | The only demo mode limitation is that recovered files cannot be saved. | |
| Active@ File Recovery | 2.0 | File preview (up to 10 MB). | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. For instance, Active@ File Recovery received low marks for its restrictive file preview size and demo recovery file size limitation. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which makes it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery, provided the native applications are installed on the machine. | |||
Demo versions are useful for evaluating a program’s ability to recover data in a specific scenario before investing in the product. File previewing and on-the-fly registration make a demo version a good addition to a data recovery toolset, with the potential to upgrade if a certain feature is needed in the field.
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.5 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. Only 4,000 files can be recovered during one session. 32 bit version only. | |
| R-Studio | 4.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 256 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Stellar Phoenix Technician | 4.0 | File preview (no file size limitations). No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Restorer Ultimate | 4.0 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 128 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| UFS Explorer Professional Recovery | 3.5 | Recovers and previews files up to 768 KB. Some limitations in its built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Recover My Files | 3.0 | File preview (no file size limitations). No time limit for the demo version. | |
| Ontrack® EasyRecovery™ Enterprise | 3.0 | No time limit for the demo version. | |
| GetDataBack + RAID Reconstructor + Captain Nemo | 3.0 | No built-in file previewer, but file can be opened in its respective application. 30-day time limit for the demo version of RAID Reconstructor. The RAID image cannot be copied. | |
| Active@ File Recovery Ultimate Corporate | 2.0 | File preview (up to 10 MB). Recovers files up to 64 KB. No time limit for the demo version. Advanced data recovery features (e.g. RAID reconstruction) cannot be tested in the demo mode. | |
| All products include a demo mode and can be activated on-the-fly at any stage of testing. Most of the higher ranking programs have built-in file preview capabilities, though some impose file size limitations. DMDE does not have a built-in file previewer, but you can recover single files and view them in their respective applications, which makes it very useful for estimating chances of file recovery, provided the native applications are installed on the machine. R-Studio, UFS Explorer Professional Recovery, Restorer Ultimate and Stellar Phoenix Technician all scored well, though Stellar Phoenix Technician only allows file previewing and cannot recover files of any size in the demo mode. Active@ and RAID Reconstructor’s are too limited in the demo mode to make them suitable for evaluation purposes. | |||
Demo versions are most useful for personal users who are still considering purchasing a license. But for professionals, restricted demo versions may be useful for evaluating alternative tools when their primary utility fails to perform. Our ratings are based on the ability to estimate the chances for a successful file recovery before purchasing a full license.
Demo version restrictions
| Product | Rating | Test Results | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMDE | 5.0 | No demo mode limitations, except group file recovery. | |
| Restorer Ultimate | 4.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 128 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| R-Studio | 4.5 | File preview (no file size limitations). Recovers files up to 64 KB. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| UFS Explorer Professional Recovery | 3.5 | File preview for files up to 64 KB. Recovers file sizes up to 64 KB. Some limitations on built-in hex editor. No time limit for the demo version. | |
| GetDataBack + RAID Reconstructor + Captain Nemo | 3.0 | No built-in file previewer but files can be opened in their respective application (if installed). 30-day time limit for the demo version of RAID Reconstructor. The RAID image cannot be copied. | |
| DMDE has the least restricted demo version. Although it has no built-in file previewer, the demo mode allows you to recover single files of any size. Once recovered, the individual files can then be opened in their respective applications. The demo versions of R-Studio, Restorer Ultimate and UFS Explorer Professional Recovery are typical for professional data recovery software; they allow you to recover small files and/or preview any found file in order to estimate the likelihood of a successful file recovery. In the GetDataBack package, RAID Reconstructor’s restriction on copying RAID images severely diminishes the ability to successfully estimate how the program reconstructs a particular RAID. | |||
