Recovered files may have generic names such as file123.jpg when the file system records containing their original names and folder locations are missing or damaged. Disk Drill may still recover their contents using file signatures, but the original names may be unavailable.
1. Check for Results With Original File Names
Disk Drill’s file system scans can recover original names and folder structures when enough metadata survives. Signature-based recovery identifies files by their contents and usually cannot restore those details.
Let Disk Drill finish scanning, then select Review found items. Check the Deleted or lost and Existing sections for files with their original names and folders. Also review Reconstructed, which contains files found by signature.
You do not need to manually run every scanning method. Disk Drill combines the available methods automatically when you choose Search for lost data and select Universal Scan, if prompted.
2. Find Files Without Their Original Names
If the filenames were not recovered, use these options to find the files you need:
- Filter by file type: Narrow the results to pictures, videos, documents, or another relevant category.
- Check file size and available dates: Use these details to narrow the results. Some dates may be missing or inaccurate.
- Preview files: Open the preview to identify the content and check whether it appears intact before recovery.
Searching for the original filename will not locate a result if that name was not recovered.
3. Recover Your Files and Rename the Copies
Select the files you need and recover them to a different drive to avoid overwriting other recoverable data. After recovery, open the files to verify their contents, then rename and organize the recovered copies.
If the original file system records are gone, recovery software cannot reliably recreate the exact filenames from file contents alone. Check backups or cloud copies for versions that retain the original names.
Protect Your Files Before Future Data Loss
Keep regular backups to preserve your files, names, and folder structure.
Disk Drill also offers Recovery Vault for Windows and Guaranteed Recovery for Mac. These features must protect the relevant files or locations before deletion; enabling them afterward will not restore missing names from an earlier loss.