Good day!
Today's note will be relevant for those users who are faced with the loss of PDF files on disk, or with the inability to open them in a familiar reader (see the example in the screenshot below 👇).
In general, PDF is a fairly reliable format and less "capricious" than the same DOCX (from MS Word). However, there are enough reasons for such "problems":
- errors when copying and saving documents;
- infection of the PC with viruses (as well as incorrect operation of antivirus software);
- hard disk malfunctions, etc.
Below are some tips and tricks that will help you to "remove" from the damaged (missing) PDF, if not all the information, then at least a part (which can also save quite a few hours of working time).
So...
Acrobat Reader - file damaged (example error ...)
*
Recovery of PDF documents: what to do in stages
STEP 1
The first thing to decide is - whether there is a on disk / flash drive in stock the PDF document itself, or it has been deleted (for example, due to the formatting of the drive). To do this, just start the explorer (Win + E combination), allow it to see hidden files and open the folder where the files should be.
View PDF document folder - Windows 10
If a files in the desired folder not (after all, it turned out that they were deleted), then I recommend the following:
- do not copy any other information to this disk (new information may overwrite the "missing data");
- not agree with Windows to fix bugs (if it offers to do so);
- it is advisable to connect the disk / flash drive with the lost data to another PC on which and perform the recovery procedure (this is described in detail in my previous note, link below 👇).
*
👉 To help!
How to recover deleted photos / documents / files - step by step instructions
*
STEP 2
And so, go ahead: there are PDF files in the folder (or have been restored), but when you try to open them, an error occurs: it is impossible to read this document, etc. etc.
Acrobat Reader - file damaged
In this case, first of all, pay attention to the size of the file itself: if it is not equal 0 ÷ 2 KB is already good (it means that it contains some data and can be extracted from it, see my example below 👇).
Note: if in your case the file is "zeroed" - try scanning the disk and recovering the deleted file using the special. utilities.
File size - 109 KB
In my humble opinion, you need to start the data recovery procedure with Draw (This program is included in the 👉 Libre Office package, by the way, it's free!).
After starting it, in Draw you need to click on the menu "File / open" and select the damaged PDF - the program will think for 10-15 seconds. and will open "what he can". In some cases, the text remains intact (some pictures, graphics, signs may "go ...").
Libre Office - open the file
*
STEP 3
If the previous recommendations did not help, it's time to switch to special services. online resources and software 👌 ...
One of the very good options in this case is a service from the company Recovery Toolbox (link: //pdf.recoverytoolbox.com/online/ru/).
This tool has several advantages:
- firstly, it allows you to extract data from even the most hopeless files;
- secondly, because it is an online service - you can use its services from any device and OS: PC, phone, tablet, etc .;
- thirdly, before paying for the restoration service - you can make sure that it will be possible to pull it out of the document (it will show a preview of the page).
As for the use: just upload the file, enter your email, enter the captcha and press the button "Further" ...
You need to download the damaged PDF and enter your e-mail
Then the resource will "think" and scan your document. If the recovery is successful, you will see a preview of your document, you can pay for its recovery ($ 10 for one file up to 1 GB) and upload it to your disk. Conveniently? In general, yes!
Then wait until the file is processed
*
STEP 4
For those who have damaged a large number of PDF files, or the documents contained very confidential information (which is forbidden to upload anywhere) - the previous STEP 3 may not quite work ...
In this case, a special can be a very good option. utility - Recovery Toolbox for PDF (official website: //pdf.recoverytoolbox.com/ru/).
After downloading and installing it (it is standard) - you just need to select the original PDF file and "feed" it. After a while, Recovery Toolbox will inform you if something else can be recovered from the file ...
Recovery Toolbox for PDF - an example of working with the utility
Note that the utility works only in Windows, and the full version costs 27 USD (demo version - will allow you to familiarize yourself with the possibilities before paying). By the way, the full version of Recovery Toolbox has no restrictions on the number and size of recoverable files.
PS
For the future, I highly recommend:
- make a backup (backup) of all important documents (and it is better if there are several of them);
- if the computer from which you are working is constantly connected to the Internet, it is very convenient to set up 👉 auto-copying a folder with documents to a cloud drive. Thus, an automatic backup is obtained (you will never forget and will not waste time on this operation).
*
That's it for now. Additions on the topic are welcome!
Happy work!
👣
Post based on materials
from Recovery Toolbox
