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Unfortunately, when you recover files using Deep Scan, the file metadata is lost (including the file name and location). Files recovered by Deep Scan have names like file123.doc and 180×600.jpg. If this is the case with your recovered files, you have two options:

1. Try Another Scanning Method

Disk Drill's Deep Scan in action

If you installed Disk Drill prior to your data loss and had either Recovery Vault or Guaranteed Recovery active, then you can use these methods to recover your files with file names. Read this article to learn How To Use Recovery Vault and Guaranteed Recovery.

If you didn’t have either of those features active, then you might be able to use Quick Scan. From the main Disk Drill window, click on the drop-down arrow on the Recover button (next to the volume you wish to recover files from) and select Quick Scan from the options. Any files recovered with Quick Scan will have their file names. Partition recovery may also be helpful, as partitions are recovered with the original folder structure; IF your lost partition is recoverable, of course.

2. Use Other Filtering Options

If none of the above methods work, then you are stuck with Deep Scan results. You will need to use the other filtering options to find the file(s) you are looking for. Try to filter by file type, date and size and then click the preview button (eye icon) to preview the file and see if it is the one you are looking for. Do not filter by keyword, as the keyword search does not work with files recovered by Deep Scan.

We know it is frustrating to have to rename your files after you recover them, but it is better than not recovering the files at all! In the future, use Recovery Vault or Guaranteed Recovery to protect your drives so this doesn’t happen again.

.updated: June 3, 2021 author: Robert Agar