This GOTD is made up of 2 files, the program itself & a help file. Installation adds 2, non-critical registry entries. The GOTD version is different than the trial -- perhaps this hints that activation does not go on-line? Activation adds 2 entries under the HKCU Software registry key. Figured that with win10 coming, might be useful.
From the download page comments...
"Can it also scan a single folder?"
Good question in bringing up what I feel is an important point -- data can be stored anywhere on a drive or storage device. Folders or directories makes it easier to organize & find files, but they're artificial in the sense that all you're really organizing are the file names. The actual chunks of data making up a file can be spread over the entire storage area.
The important point? It can be useful or helpful to use smaller partitions, or smaller USB sticks or memory cards etc. If something goes wrong, it's faster & easier to scan a smaller storage space, whether you're doing a repair [chkdsk], defragmenting, trying to find lost files etc. When it comes to lost files, it can also be safer -- if you stored your photos for example on a separate partition from where Windows is installed, then all the cautions about installing recovery software or using Windows do not apply. That's because in this case both adding software & running Windows writes data to the Windows partition -- Not where your photos are stored. And that's a concept or idea that you can use with all *your* data -- Windows can always be replaced [reinstalled] as can your software, but when it comes to your stuff, not so much.
"Personally I prefer portable software especially for these aims and best is a Linux live CD for first try (see above), destroying nothing!"
It used to be so, when things were simpler... Nowadays a Windows device [PC, laptop, tablet...] may use the old way of booting or starting up, or it may use the newer UEFI, or more likely, a hybrid combo of the two, & it can be 32 or 64 bit. The drive where Windows is installed may be MBR or GPT, with the files that make it boot or start on the same partition, or on another partition that may or may not be hidden. Add the complications of secure boot, manufacturer added security measures in the bios [responsible for starting the device], & bios that switch modes depending on what they see for the boot drive or storage device.
All together that means that if you have a current Windows device, You Cannot take it for granted that it will boot or start using Any CD or DVD or USB stick or external drive. It's been that way for a while -- why I think some [many?] people have reported problems with different backup software, because if it doesn't start & run properly as a substitute for Windows, restoring the Windows partition is not going to work. SO 2 important points -- don't keep your stuff on the Windows partition, & while it's best if you can avoid it, if you must use a bootable disk or drive or USB stick, make sure you test it thoroughly to make sure it will indeed work the way it's supposed to.
Now why Aidfile Format Drive Recovery?... If I lose some important files, maybe one or another recovery app will give different results -- maybe one app will give me file X while another gives me file Y. Maybe all the results are the same, but I'll feel better knowing I tried everything. :)
There's also Windows 10 on the near horizon. Most people will upgrade to 10 rather than doing a fresh install, at least at 1st I think, because that's how you get your free license key. Not all software will survive the upgrade, so if you had 5 recovery apps, afterwards you might have only one or two -- who knows? Running the previews it seems Windows 10 file system is a little different -- will some or all recovery apps work with it equally well? Who knows? Aidfile Format Drive Recovery at least lists itself as Windows 10 compatible.