How to Recover Wiped Files Using Terminal Command

Introduction

Ever wiped your files by accident and felt that sinking feeling in your stomach? Don’t worry — you’re definitely not alone. Many users lose important data either by deleting it manually, formatting their drive, or running a command that erases everything. The good news? There are ways to get those files back, even using just the Terminal command.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to recover wiped files using Terminal commands on Windows, macOS, and Linux — step-by-step. We’ll also look at an easier, more reliable method using MyRecover, a professional data recovery tool.

Understanding How Files Get Wiped

Here’s the thing — when you delete a file, your computer doesn’t actually erase it immediately. It just marks the space the file occupied as "available" for new data. Until that space is overwritten, your deleted files can still be recovered.

Difference Between Delete, Format, and Wipe

• Delete: Removes file references but keeps data recoverable.
• Format: Erases the file system but can still be partially recoverable.
• Wipe: Overwrites data multiple times, making it extremely difficult to recover.

If your drive was wiped (not just formatted), recovery is harder but not impossible — especially if the wipe wasn’t a secure erase.

Is It Possible to Recover Wiped Files?

Terminal or Command Prompt allows you to access low-level disk data. Tools like testdisk, photorec, and chkdsk can scan raw disk sectors to locate deleted files. Think of it as manually searching through your disk’s hidden layers.

Limitations of Command-Line Recovery

While Terminal commands are powerful, they’re not always user-friendly. One typo can make things worse, and in cases of deep data loss, even the best commands can fail. That’s why it’s wise to start with a safer, professional tool before diving into Terminal.

Preparations Before Recovery

1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately

Once files are wiped, stop writing new data to that drive. Every new file increases the risk of overwriting your lost data.

2. Identify the Disk or Partition

Before using any command, know your target.

• On macOS/Linux, use:

diskutil list

• On Windows, use:

wmic logicaldisk get name

These commands show which disks or partitions are available.

How to Recover Wiped Files Using Terminal Command

Based on your device, there are 2 ways to recover wiped files.

Method 1: Use TestDisk Command (macOS/Linux)

Step 1: Open the Terminal

Press Command + Space, type Terminal, and hit Enter.

Step 2: Use the testdisk Command

If testdisk isn’t installed yet, run:

sudo apt install testdisk

or for macOS (with Homebrew):

brew install testdisk

Then, start it with:

sudo testdisk

Step 3: Follow TestDisk Interface to Restore Files

• Select Create a new log file.

• Choose your disk.

• Select Intel/PC partition type.

• Use Analyse to find lost partitions.

• Once the scan completes, choose Advanced → Undelete to list deleted files.

• Use arrow keys to select files, press C to copy them to a safe directory.

TestDisk digs deep into your drive structure and often restores wiped files effectively.

Method 2: Use Command Prompt in Windows

Step 1: Run CMD as Administrator

Search "CMD" in the Start menu → Right-click → Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Execute File Recovery Commands

Try these commands one by one:

• To check disk integrity:

chkdsk D: /f

(Replace D: with your target drive)

• To recover deleted files using Windows built-in recovery:

winfr C: D: /n *.*

This uses the Windows File Recovery tool. It scans your C: drive for deleted data and restores it to D:.

Step 3: Check Restored Files

Once complete, open your destination folder to review recovered files. You may need to rename or reorganize them since filenames aren’t always preserved.

When Terminal Commands Don’t Work

Method 1: Use Professional Data Recovery Software (MyRecover)

If the command-line method feels overwhelming or fails to recover files, tools like MyRecover can make the process much easier and more reliable. MyRecover offers a beginner-friendly interface and advanced scanning algorithms to recover files from wiped, formatted, or corrupted drives with just a few clicks.

Steps to Recover Wiped Files with MyRecover

1. Download and Install MyRecover

Get it from the official website and install it on a different drive than the one you’re recovering from.

2. Select the Drive to Scan

Launch the program and choose the wiped drive.

3. Scan for Lost Data

Click Scan to detect recoverable files. MyRecover also supports a Deep Scan.

4. Preview and Recover

Once the scan completes, preview your files and click Recover to restore them safely.

This is the most hassle-free way to recover wiped files — no complicated Terminal commands, just a few clicks.

Method 2: Seek Professional Help

For drives with physical damage or complex corruption, consult a data recovery specialist. They have lab tools that can extract data even from severely damaged disks.

Additional Tips for Successful Recovery

Avoid Overwriting the Drive

Always recover files to a different drive or partition. Writing recovered data to the same location can destroy the remaining recoverable files.

Use Backups Regularly

Set up automatic backups using OneDrive, Time Machine, or external drives. That way, if something gets wiped again, you won’t need to panic. >> Learn how to enable File History in Windows 10/11.

Conclusion

Recovering wiped files using Terminal commands is absolutely possible — but it’s not always straightforward. Whether you’re using testdisk on macOS/Linux or winfr on Windows, it requires patience and accuracy.

For most users, though, using a professional tool like MyRecover is the safer and more efficient route. It’s fast, user-friendly, and doesn’t risk further data loss.

So, next time your files vanish into thin air — don’t panic. Just act quickly, use the right tools, and your data might be just a few clicks (or commands) away from coming back.