Losing important files or folders can be stressful, whether it’s due to accidental deletion, system crashes, or malware attacks. Fortunately, Glary Utilities is a powerful all-in-one toolset designed to help Windows users recover and manage their files more efficiently. This article introduces 15 Glary Utilities features and practical steps you can use to improve your file recovery methods and overall file management, regardless of your experience level.
What is Glary Utilities and Why Use It for File Recovery?
Glary Utilities is a comprehensive Windows optimization suite that offers a wide range of tools for cleaning, repairing, and recovering files. Its user-friendly interface makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users. The built-in recovery features can help you restore lost data, manage existing files, and prevent future losses.
Which Glary Utilities Features Help with File Recovery?
1. File Undelete
If you’ve accidentally deleted a file, the File Undelete tool can scan your hard drive (or USB device) to find and restore recently deleted files. It provides a file list, making it easy to choose which files you want to recover. Simply open Glary Utilities, go to “Advanced Tools,” select “File Undelete,” and follow the prompts.
2. Quick Search for Lost Files
The Quick Search function allows you to rapidly locate lost or misplaced files by name, type, or date modified. This reduces the time spent searching through folders manually and increases the chances of quick recovery.
3. Deep Scan Mode
For files that aren’t found during a standard scan, Deep Scan mode performs a thorough examination of your drives. This is useful when recovering files after formatting or severe data loss.
4. Restore Original Folder Structure
Glary Utilities attempts to restore files to their original folder structure when possible, making it easier to reintegrate recovered files back into your workflow.
5. Preview Before Recovery
With the “preview” feature, you can check the content of files before restoring them. This is especially helpful for images and documents, allowing you to confirm you’re recovering the correct file.
6. Filter and Sort Options
Effective file management requires organization. Glary Utilities allows users to filter search results by file type, size, or deletion date, helping you focus only on the files you need to recover.
7. Multiple File System Support
Whether your files were on NTFS, FAT, or exFAT partitions, Glary Utilities is compatible with most Windows file systems, ensuring broad recovery capabilities.
8. Selective Recovery
You don’t always need to recover everything. Glary Utilities lets you check only the files you need, preventing unnecessary clutter and speeding up the recovery process.
9. External Device Recovery
Files lost on external drives, USB sticks, or memory cards can also be recovered using the same steps as internal drives. Just select the relevant drive letter when prompted.
10. Safe Recovery Process
Glary Utilities is designed to prevent overwriting and further data loss during the recovery process, helping to maximize the chances of successful restoration.
11. One-Click Maintenance
The 1-Click Maintenance feature not only cleans up your PC but can also help in identifying lost files during routine scans, alerting you to possible recoverable data.
12. Secure File Deletion Awareness
When deleting files with Glary Utilities’ “File Shredder,” you are warned that these files cannot be recovered. Understanding this helps you avoid accidental permanent deletion.
13. Disk Analysis
The Disk Analysis tool highlights large files, duplicates, and unnecessary data. This can help you avoid accidental deletion while cleaning up your drives and can point out files you may want to back up or recover.
14. Backup & Restore
Before making major changes, use the built-in backup feature to safeguard your files. In case of accidental deletion or failed changes, you can restore your system state and files easily.
15. Scheduled Tasks
Set up scheduled scans and maintenance routines. Regular checks can help you spot issues early and recover files before they’re overwritten.
How to Use Glary Utilities for File Recovery: A Step-by-Step Example
Let’s walk through a common scenario: you’ve accidentally deleted an important document from your desktop.
Open Glary Utilities and go to the “Advanced Tools” tab.
Click on “File Undelete.”
Select the drive (in this case, C:\).
Click “Search” to scan for deleted files.
Use the filter options to narrow the results, for example, searching for .docx files.
Preview any files that look like the document you need.
Check the box next to the correct file, then click “Restore.”
Choose a location to save the recovered file (preferably not the same drive to avoid overwriting).
What Should You Do After Recovering Files?
After a successful recovery, always back up important files to another drive or cloud storage. Consider using Glary Utilities’ backup features or integrating your workflow with OneDrive or Google Drive for added safety.
Tips to Prevent Future File Loss
Keep regular backups of important files.
Use the Disk Analysis tool to identify files you no longer need, reducing the risk of accidental deletion.
Schedule regular maintenance with Glary Utilities for ongoing protection.
Be cautious when using file shredding or secure delete tools.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced user, Glary Utilities offers an extensive toolkit for recovering lost files and managing your folders in Windows. By familiarizing yourself with its file recovery features and integrating them into your regular PC maintenance routine, you can minimize the impact of accidental data loss and keep your digital life organized and secure.