Ah, holidays. A time for sunburn, soggy sandwiches, and—of course—precious memories captured on camera. Until disaster strikes.
Whether you’ve accidentally deleted your Cornwall beach snaps, your laptop decided to take a spontaneous dive into the Thames, or your SD card’s gone full ghost mode, losing data is soul-crushingly awful.
At Eton Computer Services, we’ve seen it all. From panicked parents mourning their child’s first steps to small businesses in Windsor nearly losing their entire financial archives, we’ve rescued over 100,000 files in the last year alone.
In this guide, our data recovery experts reveal:
The 5 steps to save deleted files
How to avoid common recovery mistakes
Why Berkshire locals trust us for urgent help
How to prevent future digital disasters
Let’s get your files back before you start drafting that “I quit my job and move to a caravan” email.
Before we dive into rescue tactics, let’s address the culprits:
Accidental deletion (Ctrl+Z, where art thou?)
Hardware failure (RIP, dodgy USB sticks)
Corrupted files (thanks, unexpected power cuts)
Malware or ransomware (yes, even your grandma’s laptop isn’t safe)
Formatting mishaps (SD cards, external drives—don’t panic yet).
If this sounds like your life right now, don’t despair. Let’s fix it.
Why It Works:
Panic leads to mistakes. Like trying to “fix” the problem by throwing your laptop in the freezer. (Yes, someone did that.)
What to Do Instead:
Stop using the device immediately.
Breathe. We’ll sort this.
Why It Works:
Deleted files often hang out here like awkward party guests who forgot to leave.
How to Do It:
Windows: Open the Recycle Bin > Right-click the file > “Restore.”
Mac: Open Finder > Click “Trash” in the sidebar > Right-click > “Put Back.”
Pro Tip: Use search filters to find your file faster.
Why It Works:
Specialist tools scan your drive for “deleted” files (which often aren’t truly gone until overwritten).
Top Free Tools:
Recuva (Windows-friendly, free)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (cross-platform)
PhotoRec (open-source, no GUI, but powerful)
How to Do It:
Download software to a separate device or USB stick.
Scan your drive.
Preview and recover files.
Note: Success rates depend on how quickly you act and whether new data has overwritten the old.
Why It Works:
Every photo, video, or app you install risks overwriting recoverable files.
What to Do:
- Stop using the device.
- Store it safely until you can get help.
Fun Fact: Kroll Ontrack recovered data from a hard drive that had been submerged in water for a week. So yes, all hope isn’t lost.
Why It Works:
Some disasters require expert hands—a bit like how you’d call a doctor for a broken leg, not just Google it.
When to Call Us:
You spilled tea on your laptop.
Your external drive won’t power on.
Malware encrypted your files (hello, ransomware).
DIY recovery failed.
At Eton Computer Services, we’ve helped Eton, Windsor, and Slough locals recover everything from wedding photos to critical business data.
Stay calm (yes, really).
Check Recycle Bin/Trash.
Use recovery software (Recuva, EaseUS).
Avoid new data until resolved.
Call a pro if it’s hardware failure or ransomware.
3-2-1 Rule: 3 copies of your data, 2 local (e.g., external drive + device), 1 offsite (cloud).
Recommended Services: Google Drive, iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive, or a NAS (Network-Attached Storage).
Automatic backups for photos, documents, and more.
Prevent ransomware and malware with tools like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes.
Cheap SD cards and USB sticks are more prone to failure.
Let us inspect your devices for warning signs.
A: It’s possible, but success depends on how much data has been overwritten. The sooner you act, the better.
A: Our prices start at £75 for basic recovery (e.g., deleted photos). Complex cases (e.g., failed SSDs) vary—[contact us](#) for a quote.
A: Formatting doesn’t erase data immediately—it removes the file index. Recovery is often possible.