2 Methods: Free Recover Data from Video Recorder

Lost recordings from your video recorder? This guide provides two free methods to recover deleted or inaccessible videos. Follow simple steps to safely retrieve your important files from DVRs, camcorders, or other video recording devices.

By @Emma
Last Updated October 31, 2025

Possible to Recover Data from Recording Camera Sd Card?

 

I accidentally pulled out the SD card while my camera was still recording — a stupid mistake, I know. Is it possible to recover the footage, or is it lost forever? The card wasn’t formatted afterward, so I’m hoping the files can still be saved.

If you’ve ever faced a similar situation, take it easy. Removing an SD card during recording can easily corrupt video files or make them temporarily unreadable. However, as long as the card hasn’t been formatted or overwritten, your footage can still be recoveredfrom recorders using the right tools.

Before You Start Recovery

Before trying any recovery software, make sure to prepare your SD card properly to avoid further data loss:

✅Stop using the SD card immediately: Any new recording or file operation might overwrite the lost data.

✅Remove the SD card from your camera carefully and insert it into your computer using an SD card reader or adapter.

✅Check if the SD card is detected in File Explorer or Disk Management. If the SD card not showing up, try another card reader or USB port.

Once your computer recognizes the card, you’re ready to start video recoveryfom recorders.

2 Free Software: Recover Data from Video Recorder Free

Now, we’ll introduce two free recovery tools to help you bring back your lost recordings from recorders:

A: Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool available for free from the Microsoft Store. You can use it to recover files that have been permanently deleted from your local storage devices — such as internal drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and USB flash drives — when they can’t be restored from the Recycle Bin.

🔹Doesn’t have a graphical interface;

🔹Runs through Command Prompt (CMD);

🔹Only available for Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) and Windows 11 users.

Step 1: Install Windows File Recovery

Open the Microsoft Store on your PC. Search for Windows File Recovery. Download and install it.

Step 2: Open Command Promptas administrator.

Press “Win + S”, type “Windows File Recovery”, and select “Run as administrator”. A Command Prompt window will open.

Step 3: Run the Recovery Command

The basic command format is: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /mode /switches

For example, to recover videos from SD card E: to drive F:, use: winfr E: F: /extensive /n *.mp4

Explanation:✎...
/extensive: Deep scan mode, recommended for corrupted SD cards.
If you recently deleted the videos and the card isn’t corrupted, you can try the faster “/regular” mode first.
/n *.mp4: Filters to recover specific video formats.

Step 4: Wait for the Scan to Finish and Check Recovered Videos

Windows File Recovery will start scanning your SD card.When it completes, you can open the recovery folder and check the restored video files (usually in a folder named Recovery_... under your chosen destination drive)by directly hitting on Y key when prompted.

If the recovered videos don’t play, try repairing them with VLC Media Player or a video repair tool.

B: MyRecover

MyRecover is a professional yet free data recovery tool designed for Windows users. Unlike Windows File Recovery, it offers a graphical interface, allowing you to scan and recover deleted, formatted, or lost files from SD cards, USB drives, cameras, and other storage devices without using commands.

💖Compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008–2025

💖Supports FAT, NTFS, ReFS, and Ext partitions recovery

💖Recovers videos in formats like mpeg, mp4, mov, avi/navi, asf, wmv, rm/rmx, flv/f4v, qsv, and more

Step 1: Download MyRecover and install it on your computer.

Step 2: Open the freeware, choose your SD card from the drive list. Click “Scan” to begin the scanning.

Step 3: MyRecover will automatically perform a Quick Scan (to find recently deleted files) or a Deep Scan (to locate lost or corrupted data).

Step 4: After the scan completes, all recoverable files will be displayed by type. Use the filter or search box to find your video formats such as .mp4, .mov, or .avi.

Step 5: Select the videos you want to restore. Click “Recover” button.

Step 6: Choose a safe location (different from the SD card) to save them.

Once the recovery process finishes, a confirmation message will appear indicating the number and location of your successfully restored files.You can click the “Browse” Button to directly access the recovered videos in the new location you have chosen.

Summary

Lost precious footage and wish to recover data from video recorder? With either of these free tools, you have a strong chance of recovering lost recordings from your camera’s SD card safely and efficiently. For the easiest and most reliable experience, we highly recommend MyRecover, which offers a user-friendly interface, wide format support, and deep scan capabilities to help you get your videos back with minimal hassle.

To unlock more advanced features such as unlimited data recovery, creation of bootable USB recovery media, recovery without booting into the operating system, and file preview before final recovery, please try Professional edition.