Quick Answer

Disk Drill is a data recovery program for Windows and Mac that can recover deleted files and lost partitions. It only helps with logical loss on a physically healthy drive. Do not run it on a failing drive, a clicking disk, or one that is not recognized, as this makes things worse. Never save recovered files back to the same disk.

What Is Disk Drill and What Does It Do?

Disk Drill is a popular data recovery application developed by CleverFiles that runs on both macOS and Windows. It aims to bring back your files in scenarios such as accidentally deleted photos, a formatted memory card, or a partition that suddenly disappeared.

What the software actually does relies on a simple principle. When you delete a file, in most cases the file itself is not immediately erased from the disk. Only the record in the file system, the marker that says that area is reusable, is removed. Programs like Disk Drill scan the raw data on the disk to find and reassemble those file fragments that are still physically in place.

Disk Drill is generally used in these situations:

  • Accidentally deleted files, including those emptied from the recycle bin or trash
  • Accidentally formatted disks, USB sticks, or SD cards
  • Lost or inaccessible disk partitions
  • Data made invisible by file system corruption
  • Deleted RAW and JPEG photos from camera cards

Scan Types: Quick Scan and Deep Scan

Disk Drill offers two core scanning methods, and knowing the difference matters.

Quick scan checks the still readable records of the file system. For recently deleted files where the file system is intact, it gives fast and accurate results. It usually preserves file names and folder structure.

Deep scan reads the disk sector by sector and searches for the signatures of files. This method is much slower and generally cannot preserve file names; results come out named by file type. However, when the file system is severely damaged or the disk has been formatted, this is often the only hope.

Practical advice: try the quick scan first. If you cannot find what you are looking for, move on to the deep scan.

Supported File Systems

Disk Drill can read most common file systems. On the Windows side: NTFS, FAT16, FAT32, and exFAT; on the Mac side: APFS and HFS+; plus EXT4 support for Linux. This also covers external drives and memory cards.

Free Version Versus Pro Version

Disk Drill can be downloaded for free, but the limits of the free version vary by platform and can change over time. Here we describe the general logic; always confirm the exact terms on the official CleverFiles site.

Feature Free Version Pro Version
Disk scan and preview Yes Yes
Viewing recoverable files Yes Yes
Actual file recovery Limited up to a size cap on Windows, generally not on Mac Unlimited
Deep scan Yes Yes
One time or license Free Paid license

The most important point here is this: the most valuable feature of the free version is the preview. Before paying, you can see whether your files are actually recoverable. If your file looks intact in the preview, your chances of recovery are high. If the preview is corrupt or blank, buying Pro may not help either. So always check the preview before paying.

Windows and Mac Differences, APFS Notes

Disk Drill works on both platforms, but the Mac side has its own points that deserve attention.

Modern Mac computers now use the APFS file system. APFS is a powerful system with features like snapshots and encryption, but it introduces some challenges for data recovery. On Apple Silicon Mac models, recovering data by removing the disk is generally not possible because of storage soldered onto the logic board and hardware level encryption. On this hardware, the strongest protection layer can turn into the biggest recovery obstacle.

Furthermore, macOS applies certain restrictions on the system disk for security reasons. For programs like Disk Drill to access these disks, operating system permissions must be granted.

FileVault and BitLocker Encryption

A very critical warning: if your disk is encrypted, the recovery software needs the decryption key.

If FileVault on Mac or BitLocker disk encryption on Windows is active, reading the disk in its raw form shows only meaningless encrypted data. Disk Drill cannot recover files in this case. The disk must first be unlocked, meaning the correct password or recovery key must be entered. If you have lost the key, unfortunately no software or lab can bring this data back. Encryption is designed precisely for this.

The Biggest Risks: Read These First

Mistakes made during data recovery are often more devastating than the loss itself. Before running Disk Drill or any similar program, be sure to read the following.

Recovering to the Same Disk Destroys Data

This is the most common and most expensive mistake. The files you deleted may still physically exist on the disk, but that area is considered free in the eyes of the operating system. When anything new is written to that disk, the risk of overwriting arises.

Never save the files you are trying to recover to the same disk. The destination for recovered files must always be a separate disk, an external drive, or a USB stick. Likewise, do not install the recovery program onto the disk where you lost data. Even installing the program can overwrite the files you want to recover.

SSD and the TRIM Problem

SSDs work differently from traditional hard drives. Most modern SSDs use a feature called TRIM. When a file is deleted, TRIM actually wipes those cells in the background for performance. This cleanup usually happens within seconds.

The result is this: the chance of recovering deleted data from a TRIM enabled SSD is very low, often impossible. The data has already been physically erased. Disk Drill cannot work miracles here. This is the nature of SSD technology, not a fault of the program.

Physical Failure: Do Not Run the Program at All

We underline this point heavily. Disk Drill and all other recovery software only help with logical loss, that is, when the disk hardware is intact.

If your disk:

  • Makes clicking, buzzing, or repetitive noises
  • Is not recognized by the computer at all or keeps disappearing
  • Has been exposed to water, impact, or fire
  • Smells burnt or overheats

then a hardware failure is in play. In this situation, running software, or even powering the disk, can make things irreversibly worse. A faulty read head can physically scratch the spinning platter and permanently destroy recoverable data. The only correct thing to do in such a case is to shut the disk down immediately and go to a professional lab.

When Should You Go to a Lab?

Disk Drill is a reasonable tool to start with, but it is not the solution to every problem. Stop using software and get professional help in these cases:

  • The disk makes a physical noise or is not recognized
  • The data is vital and too critical to risk experimenting on
  • There are signs of clicking, overheating, or electrical failure
  • A RAID array, server, or multi disk system is involved
  • A software scan seems to be making the disk condition worse
  • Files look corrupt in the preview and the loss is critical

Professional labs can open the disk in a dust free clean room environment, replace faulty parts, and read the raw data with specialized equipment. None of this can be done at home with software. For a broader comparison, see our best data recovery software comparison article and our review of a similar tool in our EaseUS Data Recovery review.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Disk Drill really free?

Disk Drill is free to download, and scanning and previewing are free. However, actual recovery in most cases requires a paid Pro license. The Windows version may offer free recovery up to a size limit; exact terms can change over time, so confirm on the official site.

Can Disk Drill recover data from a formatted disk?

Often yes, if no new data was written to the disk after formatting. Deep scan is the best option in this scenario. However, if an SSD with TRIM is involved or the disk is physically failing, the chances drop sharply.

Can Disk Drill recover deleted data from an SSD?

Usually no. On SSDs with TRIM enabled, deleted data is physically wiped within seconds. This is a limit of SSD technology, not the software, and no program can get around it.

Can I recover from an APFS disk on my Mac?

Disk Drill can read APFS, but on Apple Silicon Mac models, soldered storage and hardware encryption make recovery difficult. If FileVault is on, a password or recovery key is mandatory, and without the key recovery is not possible.

My disk is making a clicking sound, should I use Disk Drill?

No. A clicking sound is a sign of physical failure. Running software or powering the disk in this case can permanently destroy your data. Shut the disk down immediately and go to a professional lab.

About DSET

DSET has been serving from Ankara Hacettepe Teknokent Beytepe since 2003. Our data recovery success rate is 99.4 percent. The first diagnosis is free, and if no data is recovered, there is no charge. Anyone who hears a clicking sound, experiences a physical failure, or loses critical data can consult us with confidence. Phone: +90 536 662 38 09. For all of our services, visit our data recovery services page.

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