How to Recover SD Card Videos For Free?
If you lost important videos from your SD card after deletion, formatting, or corruption, read through this guide, which reveals 2 free tools to recover deleted/formatted SD card videos without losing quality. Discover step-by-step instructions to rescue your memories!
Can You Recover Deleted Videos from an SD Card?
We've all been there—capturing precious moments on camera, only to accidentally delete them later. Many devices, such as digital cameras, drones, and smartphones, rely on SD cards to store videos and photos. These tiny storage devices are convenient and portable, but they also come with risks. Imagine filming a once-in-a-lifetime event, like a wedding or a vacation, only to realize you’ve mistakenly formatted the SD card or hit the delete button. The panic sets in as you wonder: Is there any way to recover SD card videos?
The good news is that in many cases, deleted videos can be recovered from an SD card—but success depends on several factors. When a file is deleted, the storage space it occupied is marked as available, but the data often remains intact until overwritten by new files. This means if you act quickly and avoid using the card further, recovery is possible. However, if new data has been written over the deleted videos, the chances diminish significantly.
How to Recover SD Card Videos on Windows Computer?
So, if you've lost important footage, stop using the SD card immediately and explore the following 2 recovery options we have collected for your convenience.
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Before attempting any video recovery, you must properly connect your SD card to a Windows computer: using a built-in SD card slot (on laptops/desktops) or a USB card reader (for devices without slots).
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Unlike internal storage deletions, videos removed from SD card will bypass the Recycle Bin completely even when connected to a Windows PC .So, no need to check the Recycle Bin.
Windows File Recovery: Microsoft's Official Data Recovery Tool [CMD]
Windows File Recovery is Microsoft's official command-line utility for recovering deleted files, including videos from SD cards. Designed for Windows 10/11, this powerful tool can retrieve lost data even from formatted or corrupted storage devices.
Step 1. Download this tool from Microsoft Store & install it on your computer hard drive (not the drive where the lost data were saved).
Step 2. Search for "Windows File Recovery" in the Start menu, right click it and choose "Run as administrator".
Step 3. In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command:
winfr D: E: \RecoveryDestination /extensive /n *.mp4.
- Breakdown of the commnad:✎...
- D: source-drive
- E \RecoveryDestination destination-folder to save the recovered Videos from SD card.
- extensive: Deep scan for formatted drives
- n *.mp4: filter videos of mp4 format, and you can replace with .mov, .avi, etc.
When it is recovered successfully, you can go to the destination folder to check the whether the videos can be played as normal.
MyRecover: Free yet Powerful Data Recovery Software [GUI]
While Windows File Recovery is powerful, its command-line interface can be daunting for many users.Besides, some user report that the recovery process is stuck at 99 % for days, the commands can not be parsed, and even the recovered video from Windows File Recovery cannot open, etc. So, is there any other methods to restore SD card videos more effectively?
Yes, MyRecover can be your one-stop data recovery choice. Featured with aintuitive and user-friendly interface, itdoesn't require technical expertiseand is more perfect for both experts and novices.In short, it combines professional-grade recovery capabilities with an interface anyone can use.
- Intuitive Graphical Interface: No command-line knowledge required (unlike WFR which uses complex commands. Clear visual representation of recoverable files
- Higher Success Rate: Advanced algorithms for video file reconstruction. No "stuck at 99%" issues reported by WFR users
- Faster Recovery Process: Optimized scanning algorithms. Progress indicators that actually reflect real progress. Ability to pause and resume scans.
- Selective Recovery: Recover only the videos you need. Filter by file type, or name.
- Broader Format Support: Supports all common video formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, etc.)
Step-by-Step Guide to Recover SD Card Videos with MyRecover
Step 1. Free download MyRecover, install it on your computer and double-click the MyRecover icon to start the program.
Step 2. From the main interface, select your SD card from the list of available drives. Click "Scan" to begin the analysis.
Step 3. A"Quick Scan" (for recently deleted files) will be performed first of all. If it fails to find your lost videos on SD card, try "Deep Scan" (for more thorough recovery) in the bottom left corner manually.
Step 4. Once scanning begins, use the filter option to show only video files. Select all videos you want to recover by checking their boxes. And click on "Recover".
Step 5. Choose a save location (MUST be different from the SD card to avoid overwriting)to hold the recovered videos. Then wait for the recovery process to complete.
Once all videos are recovered successfully from SD card, navigate to your save locationand open several videos to verify they play correctly.
Conclusion
Recovering SD card videos is often possible if you act quickly and use the right tools. Avoid further use of the card until recovery is complete, and always back up important files to prevent data loss.By following these steps, you stand a strong chance of retrieving your precious videos safely.
For anyone who values their time and wants the highest chance of recovering video from a formatted, deleted, corrupted SD card, MyRecover provides a far superior experience compared to the technical challenges and limitations of Windows File Recovery.Besides, its Professional edition even allows you to preview files before executing final recovery, along with unlimited data recovery quota.