Right-click the folder > "Recover" > choose destination (a different physical drive). The free edition will show: “This folder contains more than 4000 files. Only first 4000 will be recovered.”
If you have fewer than 4000 files, you're done for free.
If you're looking for free solutions or alternatives, consider: dmde license key free top
DMDE runs discounts around:
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If DMDE’s free limits are too restrictive, consider these fully free alternatives:
| Software | Best for | Recovery Limit | |----------|----------|----------------| | TestDisk & PhotoRec | Partition repair, RAW carving | Unlimited (CLI only) | | Recuva (Free) | Windows undelete | Unlimited (slower on deep scan) | | DiskDrill (Free) | Simple file recovery | 500 MB limit | | EaseUS (Free) | User-friendly GUI | 2 GB limit | | UFS Explorer (Free Emergency) | RAID recovery | Read-only, no save | you cannot safely update DMDE
PhotoRec (companion to TestDisk) is especially powerful—no GUI, but unlimited RAW recovery from any file system.
In the left tree, navigate to the folder containing lost files. DMDE shows deleted entries with a red "X" or strike-through.
In the “Physical Devices” tab, select the failing or formatted drive. Click “OK.”
Even if a crack works temporarily, you cannot safely update DMDE, nor can you receive technical help when a recovery fails.