5 Methods to Recover Deleted DNG Files

Overview of DNG Files

DNG stands for Digital Negative, which is an open-source raw image file format developed by Adobe. It is primarily used for storing unprocessed image data from digital cameras, and ideal for professional post-processing in software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.

🟢Raw Image Format: Stores the unprocessed sensor data from a camera.Unlike JPEG or PNG, it preserves all the original image information, giving photographers more flexibility for editing.

🟢Non-Destructive Editing: Allows you to adjust exposure, white balance, and other parameters without permanently altering the original data.

🟢Compatibility: Being an open standard, DNG is designed to improve compatibility across different software and devices. Some cameras can directly save images as DNG, while others produce proprietary RAW formats (like CR2, NEF, ARW) that can be converted to DNG.

🟢Archival Reliability: DNG includes metadata and checksum information, making it more suitable for long-term storage and digital archiving.

🟢File Size: Typically slightly smaller than proprietary RAW formats because DNG supports lossless compression.

"How do I recreate dng files after they were deleted?"

Methods to Recover Deleted DNG Files

Whether you accidentally deleted your DNG files, experienced a system crash, or encountered file corruption, there are practical ways to recover them. Depending on the situation, you can try built-in tools, backups, or specialized software to restore your files. Below, we outline several effective methods to help you retrieve your deleted DNG files safely and efficiently.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

If you just delete it from your computer with "delete" option, the files may still be in the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin, locate the DNG files, right-click, and select "Restore".

2. Restore from Windows File History Backup

If you have turned on File History and add the DNG folders into backup before the deletion occurs, you can recover earlier versions of your DNG files:

Step 1. Go to "Settings -> Update & Security (Win10) / Accounts (Win11) -> Backup".

Step 2. Click "More options" -> "Restore files from a current backup".

Step 3. Look through the available backup versions to find the folder that held your deleted DNG files.

Step 4. Choose the files you wish to recover and click "Restore".

3. Restore from Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

If you previously created a backup using Backup and Restore on Windows 7 (this feature is also available in Windows 10/11), you can preform DNG file recovery from the backup:

Step 1. Press "Win + S", type "Control Panel", and open it.

Step 2. Go to "System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 3. Click "Restore my files".

Step 4. Browse or search your backup for the folder containing your deleted DNG files.

Step 5. Choose a location to save them (original location or a new folder). Click "Restore" to recover the files.

4. Use Windows File Recovery (WinFR)

No backup available, or just emptied the Recycle Bin? Don’t worry since Microsoft provides free command-line tool named Windows File Recovery, aiming to help Windows 10 and Windows 11 users to recover lost files without backup required.

Step 1. Download it from Microsoft store, and wait for the installation process to be done.

Step 2. Launch Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 3. Run the command: winfr I: D: /regular /n *.dng (for example)

• I: = source drive, D: = destination drive
• /regular = mode for recently deleted files on NTFS drive. If you are trying to recover files from FAT32 or exFAT, use extensive mode.
• /n *.dng = search specifically for DNG files

Step 4. When it is completed, hit on “Y” key to directly open the destination drive folder to check the recovered DNG files.

5. Use Professional Data Recovery Software

While Microsoft Windows File Recovery is a useful tool for recovering deleted DNG files without a backup, it can be somewhat complicated for beginners. Even small mistakes in commands may result in recovery failure or trigger errors such as "No recovery files were found with this mode", "There was an error parsing your command", etc.

In such cases, professional data recovery software like MyRecover can help. With its intuitive interface and advanced scanning technology, it allows you to recover deleted DNG files quickly and reliably, without the risk of command-line errors.

Step 1. Get MyRecover from the official website or Microsoft Store. Complete the installation process (install it on a drive different from the one you want to recover files from).

Step 2. Open the software. In the main interface, select the device where your deleted DNG files were located. Click the "Scan" button.

Step 3. It will automatically performs a Quick Scan or Deep Scan to detect deleted files. In the left pane, you can directly narrow down all recoveravle files by type (e.g., Images, DNG, PNG, ORF, etc). Or use the search bar and type *.dng to locate DNG files quickly.

Step 4. Select the DNG files you want to restore and click "Recover".

Step 5. Choose a different drive (not the original one) as the destination. Confirm and let the software complete the recovery.

FAQs about DNG Files

Q: Do DNG Files Lose Quality?

A: Generally, DNG files do not lose quality because they preserve the original RAW data. The only exception is if you choose lossy DNG compression during conversion, which reduces file size but discards some image information.

Q: Why Does A DNG File Look Blurry?

A: A DNG may appear blurry when viewed in apps that only show the embedded thumbnail or preview instead of the full RAW data. To see the actual sharpness and detail, open the file in a RAW photo editor like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.

Q: What Are The Disadvantages Of DNG?

A: Although DNG is widely supported, not all software and camera manufacturers fully adopt it. Some proprietary metadata may be lost during conversion, and if your camera doesn’t natively capture DNG, you’ll need an extra conversion step, which can slow down your workflow.

Q: How Do I Extract RAW Files From DNG?

A: You can only extract the original RAW file if it was embedded in the DNG during conversion. In such cases, tools like ExifTool can help you extract it. If no RAW file was embedded, the DNG itself becomes the only source.

Q: How To Open A DNG File?

A: DNG files can be opened in most RAW-compatible software, including Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Darktable, Microsoft Photos, Apple Photos, Apple Previewsand RawTherapee.

Bottom Line

So, no matter you have backup or not, there is always a way to recover deleted DNG. If you are quite familar with command lines, Windows File Recovery is a good option. If not, try MyRecover instead. It is more powerfule and able to handle with more complex data loss scenarios.

For businesses or organizations with multiple users, you can choose the Technician edition, which allows you to deploy this amazing tool on unlimited devices—perfect for companies with hundreds of staff.