Unfortunately, it can happen that a hard disk, SSD or USB stick suddenly starts to cause problems over time. That is of course extra annoying if there is data on it that you would rather not lose, such as photos, videos and documents.
Stellar Data Recovery is a user -friendly software tool for repairing lost or deleted files such as documents, photos, videos and music on both Windows and Mac systems. The app works on different types of storage media, including hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, SD cards and even CDs and DVDs.
Everything in a solution
Stellar Data Recovery offers an all-in-one solution for repairing lost files, the most important functions at a glance:
Recovery files from the laid trash can
The Mac Trash Recovery tool offers a free solution to restore deleted files from the trash. The app can retrieve your files even if you have emptied the trash. In addition, the app can also restore files that have been removed with the test combinations Command-Shift delete or command-option-shift delete.
Restoring data from a crashed Mac
Stellar Data Recovery Can recover data from a crashed Mac by approaching the disk as an external drive or by making a start-up USB stick with the software. You then perform a scan on the damaged disk, whereby lost or deleted files are detected. After the scan you can view a preview and restore the desired files to a safe location. If the hardware is physically damaged, you can use Stellar’s professional lab service for advanced recovery. For this one Professional lab service from Stellar You can go to Utrecht.
Recall data from Time Machine
Stellar Data Recovery can restore data from an external Time Machine drive when files have disappeared from your backup or are damaged, or if the Time Machine itself does not function properly. You select the external Time Machine drive in the app, after which the software thoroughly scans the disk on repairable files.
You will then receive an overview of found documents, photos and other files that you can easily restore to a safe location. The software works similar to other discs: scanning, previewing and repairing with a few clicks, even if the original backup via macOS is not accessible.
Repair damaged photo and video files
The premium and technican version of the app can also restore damaged photo and video files that are made with various types of cameras, such as DSLR, action cameras, drones, CCTV cameras, and so on. This software can remedy unwanted effects such as pixeled photos, blurry or stuttering videos.
Extra functionality
In addition to repairing lost files, the app also has a number of handy extra functions. Two of them are intended to clear extra disk space on your hard disk.
Duplicate File Finder: With this function, double files on your Mac are easily detected and removed. You select a folder or disk, after which Stellar performs a scan and marks all duplicates so that you choose what you remove, causing storage space.
Large File Finder: This tool finds large files that take up a lot of space. You get an overview of all large files on your Mac, so that you can quickly remove extensive, superfluous data and save disk space.
Speed Up Mac: Stellar Speedup provides a faster Mac by cleaning up unnecessary, double, temporary, and large files. It also helps in managing start-up items and removing unused apps, which means that performance is noticeably improved.
Create disk image for backups: With Stellar you can make an exact copy (disk image) of your hard disk or a partition, as a sector-for-sector DMG file. This image serves as a safe backup and can be used later to restore data if your disk is defective.
Themes: Support for three different themes: lively, dark and light. The app automatically detects the theme and starts according to the dark theme or the light theme.
Stellar Data Recovery in practice
After installation you start the app and indicate which type of files you want to retrieve or choose to search for all types. Then select the location or disk where the lost files were located and start the scan. The files found are clearly displayed, so that you can easily make a selection of what you want to recover.
You can immediately do a fast scan, and if that does not produce sufficient results, start a deeper scan, lasts a little longer, but is more thorough. Select files that you want to retrieve and repair to a location other than the source disc. In this way you prevent extra data loss or overwriting.
During the process you can view an example of repairable files, which helps to make the right choice. With BitLocker-opposite drives you have to enter the password before recovery is possible. With the free version you can repair up to 1GB of files to check whether the software can restore your data.
We tested the app on an SSD and a USB stick from which we had removed images via the macOS terminal. In both cases it was possible to restore the files without problems. It is important that you take immediate action when the files are missing. This is to prevent deleted files from being overwritten by new files.
The Stellar Data Recovery app has a clear English-language user interface and works intuitively. If you need help while recovering, you will get access to online help pages on the Stellar website with the question mark button.
For a professional license you pay € 169 for lifelong access. This may seem like a big investment, but if you can recover dear photos with it, for example, the app is definitely worth that price.
Different license options
Stellar Data Recovery is available in different license editions, each designed for specific needs:
Free: Free version with which you can restore up to 1GB of data. Ideal for testing whether the software works for your type of data loss. Contains basic functions such as repairing files from various storage media, including BitLocker support.
Standard: Offers unlimited data repair of deleted, formatted or lost files and supports the recovery of Bitlocker discs. This license is suitable for personal use and simple data loss scenarios.
Professional: Including all Standard functionalities, supplemented with restoring lost partitions, repairing non-startable systems (via a start-up medium), CD/DVD recovery and making disk copies. More suitable if you regularly perform data repair or more advanced tasks.
Premium: Everything from Professional, with repair of damaged photos and videos on top, the simultaneous repair of multiple media files and extracting miniatures from damaged files. Ideal for users who often work with photo and video files.
Technician: Aimed at IT professionals and companies, with the possibility of repairing Raid arrays (RAID 0, 5, 6) and virtual machines. Supports complex recovery scenarios such as Linux, Mac and virtual discs.
Both annual and lifelong licenses are available. For the current prices of the different licenses, we would like to refer you to the Stellar website. Various discount promotions are regularly available.