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Stop using the drive now · Then read on

Deleted File Recovery Singapore

Deleted an important file, emptied the recycle bin, or lost files after a format? They're often still recoverable — but only until they're overwritten. Stop using the drive immediately.

Call +65 6588 0261

4.9 / 5915 reviews · Cleanroom lab (opens Google in a new tab)

Quick answer

Deleted files usually aren't gone — just marked as free space until something overwrites them. On a hard drive, deleted and even formatted files are often recoverable if you stop using the drive right away. On an SSD, TRIM may have already erased them. For minor deletions on a healthy drive with a backup elsewhere, DIY software is fine; for critical, single-copy, or physical-drive cases, a lab is safer.

Reviewed By CBL Data Recovery Editor Team

CBL Data Recovery Singapore · specialist laboratory

Last updated: July 2026

The cause

How file deletion actually works

A woman wipes a large whiteboard in a bright meeting room; the board is nearly clean, with faint grey outlines of boxes and arrows still showing.

When you delete a file (or empty the recycle bin, or format a drive), the data usually isn't erased. The system simply marks that space as "available" and removes the pointer to the file. The actual data stays on the drive until new data is written over it. That's why deleted files are recoverable — and why the more you use the drive after deleting, the more likely those files get overwritten.

Act now

Stop using the drive immediately

A woman in a yellow headscarf pushes her chair back from a breakfast table and lifts both open hands away from her laptop.

Every write reduces your chances

Don't save files, install software, or even browse heavily on the affected drive. If it's your system drive and you can, shut the computer down and recover the drive separately. New data overwrites the deleted files you want back.

  • Stop saving to it

    No new files, downloads or installs on that drive.

  • Disconnect if it's external

    Unplug the affected external drive to prevent writes.

  • Act quickly

    The sooner you recover, the more remains untouched.

Honest guidance

DIY software: when it's enough, and when to stop

Reasonable to DIY: a healthy hard drive, a recent simple deletion, and the files aren't your only copy — reputable recovery software often works. Stop and call us if:

  • The files are irreplaceable or business-critical (one DIY mistake can overwrite them).
  • The drive is physically failing (clicking, not detected) — running software makes it worse.
  • It's a formatted, corrupt or RAID/NAS volume needing reconstruction.
  • DIY software found nothing or partial results.

See DIY vs professional recovery for the full breakdown.

Set expectations

SSDs & TRIM: why deletion is different

On a modern SSD, deleting a file usually triggers a TRIM command that tells the drive to physically erase those blocks — often within seconds. Once TRIM has run, that data is generally not recoverable, even for a lab. This is the honest limit: deleted-file recovery is far more reliable on hard drives than on healthy, TRIM-enabled SSDs. (SSDs that failed are a different story — see SSD recovery.)

Honest expectations

What's recoverable

ScenarioTypical outcome
Deleted from a hard drive, drive unused sinceHigh
Emptied recycle bin (HDD)High
Formatted / RAW hard driveHigh
Deleted from USB / SD card (unused since)High
Overwritten (drive heavily used after)Reduced
Deleted on a healthy TRIM SSDLow

How it works

How we recover deleted files

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At a free diagnosis we assess the drive and what's recoverable. We image the drive first (protecting it), scan for deleted and orphaned files, rebuild the file system where needed, and extract your data — then give you a verification list. Free diagnosis and a fixed written quote before any work begins. We recover from hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, RAID and NAS.

Transparent pricing

How much does deleted-file recovery cost?

Deleted-file (logical) recovery is indicatively $180–$650 (SGD) for a single drive, more for RAID/NAS or physically failing drives. Your free diagnosis confirms the exact fixed price. Full detail on our cost guide.

Getting it to us

How to get your drive to us — including after hours

Three ways, whichever suits you. Power the drive off first, and don't run anything on it.

  • Walk in — 6 Harper Road, Leong Huat Building #05-02, beside Tai Seng MRT. Monday to Friday, 9.30am–6.30pm.
  • After-hours drop-off locker — available 24/7 and monitored by CCTV. WhatsApp us on +65 8127 7508 before you come over and we'll walk you through it.
  • Post or courier it — to the same address. Pack it so it cannot move inside the box; a failed drive should not be rattling around in transit.

How long it takes: diagnosis is typically same-day to 24 hours. Standard recoveries often complete within 3–7 business days depending on complexity; emergency and priority service is available for urgent business cases.

Free diagnosis whichever route you choose, and a fixed written quote before any work begins. If you decide not to go ahead, you collect your device and owe nothing.

Answers

Deleted file recovery FAQ

Often yes — "permanently deleted" files on a hard drive usually remain until overwritten. Stop using the drive and book a free diagnosis. On a healthy TRIM SSD, deleted data may be gone.

On a hard drive, usually yes if the drive hasn't been heavily used since. Stop saving to it immediately.

Often yes on a hard drive — a quick format doesn't erase the data. We reconstruct the file system and extract the files.

Yes — on the affected drive, every write risks overwriting the deleted files. If it's the system drive, shut down and recover the drive separately.

For a healthy drive and a recent simple deletion with a backup elsewhere, often yes. For critical, single-copy or physically failing drives, a lab is safer.

Logical recoveries like deleted files sit at the lower end of the range, since no cleanroom work is involved. Diagnosis is free — see the cost guide.

Zero risk

Free diagnosis & a fixed written quote

Deleted something important? Get a free diagnosis.

Stop using the drive, then bring it to our cleanroom lab — 6 Harper Road, Leong Huat Building #05-02, Singapore 369674 (beside Tai Seng MRT). Free diagnosis and a fixed written quote before any work begins.

What our clients say

Trusted by individuals and businesses in Singapore

Google

Business Profile

Deleted File Recovery – Rated by customers on Google

915Google reviews

4.9 out of 5

Updated 5 Nov 2026

Read all reviews on Google (opens in a new tab)
  • “Thank you to the team at CBL for helping me recover all the contents from my faulty USB, which contained many precious family photos.”

    Iris ShenUSB flash drive recovery · via Google
  • “Great relief the engineers managed to recover all my data successfully from my damaged iPhone 14.”

    Peter AndroidiPhone 14 recovery · via Google
  • “Amazing service from CBL. They have restored all the data from my laptop. Sarah was very helpful and attentive to my queries.”

    S YTLaptop recovery · via Google