Acrobat Reader DC deleted files recovery?

[chrisb0509]

I opened my Acrobat Reader DC and when I tried to open my PDF it said it was unavailable and then the PDF was removed from my recent. I didn't have a copy of it so what should I do?

[~graffiti]

Was it stored locally on your machine? Is your OS set to index all files? If so, your OS may have some options to get it back but Reader does not.

[davidj87027226]

I do understand how frustating to loose a vital data be it Documents, Spreadsheets, PDFs, or any media files.

Yes, agree with graffiti, OS may have some options to get it back but Reader does not. You may try below methods.

Assuming you are using Windows PC.

A) Please check previous version using below steps.

1. Went to Windows Explorer
2. Right-clicked the PDF
3. Next, selected the Previous Version
4. Searched the desired file in the list and Select it
5. Next, right-clicked on it and select Restore to recover it

B) If still no success, you can leverage the third party [Link removed. Thanks for being helpful but please do not post links to third party tools here since we cannot vouch for them - Mod] program for complete rescue.

Good Luck!

Pro Tip : Have a multiple backup copies by next time.

[Bernd Alheit]

davidj87027226  wrote

...

Right-clicked the PDF

...

How do you select a deleted file?

[davidj87027226]

I apologies this is wrong. Kindly ignore.

[Abambo]

Just to be complete: When looking into your link I have the impression that the Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery software is a paid one. davidj87027226 : Is that true?

First the user needs to understand where he has stored his data (in this case the PDF files). It may well be a removable disk or a network attached storage device unavailable currently.

If the user stored the file locally and deleted he should probably first look into the bin.

If the file is not in the bin, he may try one of the recovery programs. If you read German, choose one out of this list: Datenrettung | heise Download . There are free ones and for pay software. Heise.de is the most renown source of computer technology in Germany. Read the comments for the tool you find appropriate.

The user, however, needs to know that more time passes the chances are getting badder to recover the file, as the disk space may be getting reused very soon. If one of my users would call me, I would tell them to IMMEDIATELY shut down the system and to wait for my arrival. Even shutting down the system could cause overwriting harm. Trying to recover is only worth the hassle, if the file cannot easily recovered otherwise or simply recreated. Most PDFs could be recreated or recovered by other means (download, ...).

chrisb0509 :Just one last remark: ~graffiti correctly said, that this is an OS functionality. You should ask this question in a Microsoft OS forum or an Apple MacOS forum. OS specialists there will answer the most effective way to your problem.

[davidj87027226]

Absolutely correct this is the commercial tool. I actually get to know about this brand, by one of the review in PCMag. Other than that no intention.

[Abambo]

One overactive moderator has deleted the link you inserted, and btw also mine. FYI: when posting a for pay service, you should just mention that it is for pay. I've looked into the rules and I've found nothing that backed the moderator's claim.

The community forums do not allow posts that include spam or advertisements. However, services or products (free or paid) that meet a need can be promoted in replies to questions, if and only if they are legitimate solutions to the customer's question. When directing customers to these services or products, you must be explicit if they are free or paid. Promotions will be considered as spam if they are not directly related with the original question.*

Your post was neither spam nor promotion and it was in direct relation with the problem. The only problem that I saw with your post was that you did not offer alternatives to the product and did not mention it was a for pay service. I looked into the link and I did found that it was quite commercial with a lot of confusing options. I would not have posted that link but I did not find harm in keeping it. But it is best to post a trustful source, like a computer magazine of a certain reputation (as I did, but hey it got edited as well...)