Recovering MSCZ files from crashed hard drive
I am accessing a crashed hard drive via a SATA-to-USB adaptor on another computer.
I can see some of my folders, but some of the sub-folders are missing, including MuseScore3.
The file recovery software that I have seen on the web, looks for specific file types, such as audio files, document files, or image files. Is there any recovery software that can find MSCZ files?
Has anyone out there been down this path?
I am using Windows 10. File format: NTFS.
Comments
If the software is looking at contents of the file as opposed to the filenames, and applying some sort of heuristics / AI to guess as to the type, then the thing to know about MSCZ is that it is a ZIP file internally, containing an XML file (with the file extension MSCX).
You are using Windows 10, but did you disable OneDrive? If not, that's usually the easier way to recover lost data. If you did disable it on the previous sytstem, I definitely recommend not doing so on this one. Learn this the hard way myself, so I feel your pain, but OneDrive has bailed me out a couple of times since.
In reply to If the software is looking… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks for your MSCZ filetype information, and your suggestion about enabling OneDrive. I did resolve to keep my files on my cloud, rather than locally. Is OneDrive sufficiently secure for sensitive data? I have 4TB of storage with pCloud, including a 128-bit encrypted area. One reason I chose pCloud, is that I could purchase the space with a one-time, lifetime payment, rather than an annual or monthly subscription.
Your info on MSCZ files is very helpful, but I might not need it. I will save the info though for reference.
I did find a piece of recovery software that looks promising: GetDataBack Pro. I downloaded the free version, which shows what it can recover. The paid version actually recovers the files. It has four levels of recovery algorithms, each one deeper, and more time consuming. It got good (and non-salesy) reviews from computer professionals.
I ran Level 1, and it found my entire file folder structure, which Windows File Explorer was unable to do, However, many of the folders were shown in red, meaning unrecoverable.
I ran Level 2, and it found everything, with nothing highlighted in red. All folders, sub-folders and files. It even showed me my MSCZ file contents in Hex.
So I plan to buy it at try it for real. I will post my results to this thread.
In reply to Thanks for your suggestion… by dddiam
Success! I recovered all of my MuseScore3 files, and almost all of my personal documents, photos, music, videos, etc. 16 GB worth. (I chose not save any executable files; just license keys).
I did not find any MuseScore2 files, although it is possible that there were none on that computer. When I get a chance (no hurry), I will try GetDataBack Level 4, to see if there are any.
Whew! It was a long process, and a great relief.
FYI, It was $79 for a GetDataBack lifetime license, including support and upgrades:
https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm
The SATA-to-USB adaptor was $12. It is a self-contained cable with the electronics hidden inside the cable. No driver needed:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011M8YACM/
I have three more dead hard drives containing distant past memories, that I will try to recover some day.
In reply to Thanks for your suggestion… by dddiam
Glad you succeeded!
Regarding security, I really have no special insight into that. I imagine Microsoft takes it as seriously as anyone but really couldn't say. But it's not all-or-nothing; you can certainly keep your musical scores in OneDrive but keep more sensitive data on local storage only.