Quick Scan

Reads the drive's own index, the list Windows keeps of what is where. A file you deleted this morning is usually still in that list, crossed out but readable. That is why a Quick Scan brings files back with their original names and folders and why results show up in seconds to minutes.

Start here for a recent delete, an emptied Recycle Bin or files gone from a drive that still opens normally.

Deep Scan

Ignores the index and reads every sector from the first to the last, looking for files by their contents. It works after a format, after a reinstall and on drives Windows wants to format. It takes longer, much longer on a big disk and you can pause it and carry on later.

Files found this way sometimes lose their names, because names lived in the index. The contents are what matter and you can preview every one.

RAW Scan

Searches only for the file types you choose, by their contents. Use it when the file system information is badly damaged or when the other scans have not found what you need. Tick Photos and Videos for a camera card, Documents for an office disk.

Our Advice

Start with a Quick Scan. The app says the same thing on the scan screen. If your files are not in the list, run a Deep Scan on the same drive. Reach for a RAW Scan when the drive is a mess or you only care about one kind of file.