I use file scavenger 3.0 and it works great! Even Recuva (100% free) works also great. Tried this GRT Deleted Files Recovery, but very bad, not recovering anything. Thanx for the free software.

Another clone of GRT Data Recovery with some features removed.
This time it supports NTFS only.
Previous two clones of GRT Data Recovery (aka "Deleted Files Recovery", which is essentially the same thing) were crap and I don't think this one is any better.
No download for me today.

I'd like to amen Mike's comments on USB drives. They bring out the worst in XP [not that that's ever very far from the surface!].
XP once scrambled the formatting on my usb thumb drive, and now calls it unformatted.
I've tried about a dozen undeleting utilities since then and none have recovered it. GRT is no exception. It simply doesn't appear in GRT's list of drives available to recover data from. [And yes, my thumb drive is NTFS formatted.]
May be great for normal internal drives but i'd say you can forget about it for USB.

First and formost, my installation did not find any files that could be recovered. As a result, I cannot tell if it would give me an option of which files to recover or just recover all.

Not of value, IMO.

Two things.

1.

I am sad. I had high hopes when I saw GRTsoft's home page and its product line. Separate products for FAT family and for NTFS? The people who sharpen their focus tend to produce high quality, even if features may be limited.

Instead, GRTsoft seems to be into repackaging and repackaging. Which is a shame ... if this company took the time it spends trying to work with file systems, and made sure that their basic platform, that is, the program's GUI and installer and top level routines, made sure that their basic platform was solid, then the program would not be a non-starter out of the gate.

I am sad, not because of that, but it just seems that GRTSoft is -not- reading the GAOTD comments, and really, any developers/distributors that use GAOTD, and don't use our feedback, are missing out. The related GRTSoft products were offered on September 7 and October 6, and the very same problems were mentioned then. Are they not reading us?

On the one hand, It would a -great- thing if this very same product showed up in November, but without the bugs. (Like, if could interrupt it without ctrl-alt-delete.)

On The Other Hand, It would be really -dismal- if, instead, we got a "GRT Deleted Files Recovery for EXTfs" that had the same installation, GUI, and stability problems. (Like not having proper documentation in a Help file or on the web site.)

Please, my biggest piece of (unasked for? unwanted?) advice to GRTsoft: You got some good ideas, but read the comments here, fix those problems, and then try another offering cycle. We want you to succeed and make money.

2.

On another subject, why do we keep getting shown "More titles by SoftOrbits" when we host GRTsoft? Are the two companies related?

My interest was caught by their two products "Advanced Woman Calendar" and "Private Photo Album", which on their web site looked pretty useful.

Peace and God's blessings.
Tom Tac

Twice installed the program in XP. Twice it failed! First time it crashed while trying to scan my C drive. Both times it only shows my C drive so is totally useless at recovering files from USB or other drives. Seems a waste of time to even try to see why it doesn't work

#1 Ashraf: Thanks for the usually very helpful reviews.
In this case, GRT has put almost nothing into their product; what's there is limited in usefulness & functionality. This is not worth D/L to test; if others will click on Ashraf’s “Final verdict,” you will see that GRT is not only ‘rejected,’ but has one of the lowest ratings ever! Even for free; it would not be able to compete with other freeware mentioned, like DiskDigger, Glary Utilities, or Pandora Recovery. At $29.95, it should come with a $39.95 REBATE!

#2 FooSaa. Thanks for the warnings about this software. Yet, with the negative experiences you had, I’m just curious why you’d tell people to “please check it on your pc’s before the time is over.” Sorry, No offense meant here either. Again, thanks for the info.

#3 Simon. While Advanced File Recovery is everything GRT is not, they only have a demo/trial available, otherwise it’s $39.95.

#4 Happy Person. Thanks for acknowledging that I had found out that on October 10th, the reviewer agnesofhtekc, had copied/pasted most of your comments without giving you credit, & with no other original words. I hope others will look out for anyone else who is plagiarizing & bring it to our attention. Your reviews are some of the most in-depth & thoughtful, dependable, & helpful that I & other users of GAOTD are privileged to read.

To GAOTD: Thanks for the continuous supply of the time & effort you all put into giving us many, many worthwhile software to choose from, while maintaining this site for our benefit. Like today’s offer, not every one is a ‘keeper.’ But there is always the next day to look forward to.

Thanks to all.

Al

PROS:

* Successful download, installation, activation on Vista Home Premium x64 SP2 OS.
* Simple, clear, easy-to-understand, easy-to-navigate GUI.
* Smooth program access without needing to use Admin Mode.
* Scanned hard disk (465GB C Drive) quickly, in 75 seconds.
* Program allows recovery of files from C (hard disk) and D (factory image) Drives.

CONS:

* Program window cannot be maximized/adjusted.
* No local Help Guidance or support contact info. located in program.
* GUI is excessively sparse - no edit/settings customization options.
* No option to stop scan once it starts - can only do ctrl+alt+delete.
* Mouse cursor froze every time I did scan - could only do ctrl+alt+delete to stop the process.

SUMMARY: - Program's weaknesses make it practically useless. Definite thumbs down for today's GiveAway. Thanks anyway, GOTD and GRTSoft.

100% Freeware Option: - Easeus Deleted File Recovery (CNET User Rating: 4.5/5).

Nice and necessary tool.

I personally have Advanced File Recovery, it has more capabilities, supports all media storage tools.

The program is not working as expected. After installing and activating, the program starts fine. When selected a drive and on clicking scan button the program shows another windows without any files. On selecting the recover button, the program crashes with the following error message.

---------------------------
GRT Deleted Files Recovery: frecover.exe - Application Error
---------------------------
The instruction at "0x021a0894" referenced memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be "read".

Click on OK to terminate the program
Click on CANCEL to debug the program
---------------------------
OK Cancel
---------------------------

I've uninstalled it. Users, please check it on your pc's before the time is over. If it works, great keep it up, else revert to some freeware versions.

Although, this is paid s/w, the UI does not contain any advanced options or customization which makes me wonder how a geek would feel if ever he would have paid for it. Sorry, No offense here. Just my view.

Anyways thanks GOATD for the software.

The Good
* Scans quickly.
* Supports scanning of internal hard drive and external media (USB/flash drives and external hard drives).

The Bad
* Only does NTFS file systems, so many USB/flash drives will not be supported because most, if not all, USB/flash drives are formatted as FAT by default and users rarely change them.
* Horrible recovery rate (only reads from MFT?).
* Shows all non-deleted files; no way to turn this off either.
* No way to go back to step 1 after you get to step 2 (bar closing and reopening program).
* "Preview" of files only works for images.
* Does not specify the "recoverability" of files.
* No help file or proper documentation.

Free Alternatives
PhotoRec
DiskDigger

For final verdict, recommendations, and full review please click here.