Recovery Test · July 2026

Disk Drill Review: Does It Work After Emptying the Trash or Recycle Bin?

Disk Drill can recover files after the Trash or Recycle Bin is emptied, but the storage device matters more than the app. HDD results can be excellent. A TRIM-enabled SSD is a much tougher case.

By Pocketpcmag Articles Editorial Team Published · Updated
8.6 /10
Strong for Recent HDD Deletions Excellent previews, simple workflow, serious SSD limits
Recommended
Quick verdict

Yes, Disk Drill can work after you empty the Trash or Recycle Bin. It has the best shot when the deleted files were on an HDD, memory card, or USB drive that has seen little use since deletion. Scan first, open the full file preview, then pay only if the files you need look intact.

Download Disk Drill Free See full scorecard

Disk Drill at a Glance

8.6/10

Disk Drill is a Windows plus macOS data-recovery app. It scans storage for deleted, formatted, lost, or inaccessible files, including items removed from the Trash or Recycle Bin.

Best forRecent deletions from HDDs, USB drives, or memory cards that have not been used since the loss

Main features
  • Universal scan for deleted files
  • Full-file previews before purchase
  • Recovery-chance estimates
  • Byte-to-byte drive imaging
  • Advanced camera media recovery
Pricing Basic $0 · Pro $89/year · Pro Lifetime $149 · Windows includes 100 MB recovery
Standout featureIts free full-file preview gives you a practical recovery check before payment
Disk Drill Pros
  • Easy scan-to-recover workflow
  • Very good result filtering
  • Broad storage support
Disk Drill Cons
  • SSD TRIM can defeat recovery
  • Paid tier is fairly expensive
  • Refunds are not based on recovery success

Disk Drill Trash and Recycle Bin Recovery in Detail

01

Deleted File Recovery

Best results come from untouched HDDs or removable media

9.1/10

Emptying the Trash or Recycle Bin usually removes the file-system reference, not every byte of the file at once. Disk Drill scans those unallocated areas for surviving records plus recognizable file signatures. That makes recent deletion from a lightly used HDD, SD card, or USB drive a sensible case for the software.

A 2026 TechRadar test deleted a mixed 22-file folder from an NTFS hard drive, emptied the Recycle Bin, then recovered all 22 files. That is an encouraging controlled result, though it does not promise the same outcome on every drive.

SSD recovery is the large exception. Once TRIM tells an SSD to clear deleted blocks, Disk Drill cannot recreate bytes that the device no longer returns. Stop using the computer immediately, especially if the files were on its internal system drive.

In its favour
  • Recovers files after Trash or Recycle Bin emptying when data survives
  • Combines file-system scanning with signature-based carving
  • Handles deleted folders plus many common file types
  • Searches formatted, RAW, or inaccessible volumes
Watch-outs
  • Cannot restore overwritten data
  • TRIM may make internal SSD deletions unrecoverable very quickly
  • Deep scans can lose original filenames or folder paths
Disk Drill Review ↗ Read the official undelete guide
02

Preview and File Selection

The free preview is the feature that protects your wallet

9.4/10

Disk Drill sorts results into pictures, video, audio, documents, archives, plus other groups. Filters for size, date, type, or recovery likelihood make a huge scan less messy. Folder view is useful when metadata survives, while file-type filtering helps after a signature scan has stripped the old directory structure.

Do not treat a filename as proof of recovery. Open the preview, inspect the whole photo, play the video beyond its first few seconds, or page through the document. Disk Drill's own scan troubleshooting guide says a complete preview is the clearest check that all file pieces remain present.

In its favour
  • Free scanning uses the same recovery engine as the paid tier
  • Full previews can reveal corruption before purchase
  • Useful filters reduce thousands of unrelated results
  • Recovery-chance labels offer a quick first pass
Watch-outs
  • Some formats rely on an external app for previewing
  • A thumbnail alone may hide damage deeper in a large file
Check free-scan details
03

Drive and File-System Coverage

Broad support with one unavoidable SSD catch

8.8/10

Disk Drill supports internal or external HDDs, SSDs, SD cards, USB drives, disk images, plus several RAID or virtual-disk scenarios. File-system coverage includes NTFS, FAT variants, exFAT, ReFS, APFS, HFS+, EXT, BTRFS, plus RAW volumes.

The byte-to-byte backup tool is particularly useful for unstable removable media. It creates an image that can be scanned without repeatedly stressing the original device. A clicking HDD, disappearing volume, or drive with rapidly growing bad-sector errors should go to a recovery lab instead of facing more DIY scans.

In its favour
  • Works across Windows plus macOS
  • Supports common Microsoft, Apple, or Linux file systems
  • Can scan RAW volumes plus disk images
  • Byte-to-byte imaging is included
Watch-outs
  • A drive must still be readable by the operating system for normal software recovery
  • Direct scanning is risky when a device has physical damage
See supported storage types
04

Recovery Safety

Good safeguards, provided you choose the right drive

8.6/10

Disk Drill scans in read-only fashion, but installing any recovery app onto the affected disk can overwrite deleted data. Recovering files back to that same disk creates the same risk. Use a separate external drive for the installer, scan data, plus recovered output whenever possible.

For an emptied Recycle Bin on the Windows system drive, the safest practical move is to stop normal PC use. Browsing, updates, temporary files, cloud syncing, or even routine restarts can write into the space that held the deleted files. On a failing drive, make an image first if the hardware remains stable enough.

In its favour
  • Non-destructive scanning workflow
  • Byte-to-byte images reduce repeated wear on questionable media
  • Preview lowers the chance of paying for unusable files
  • Clear destination picker discourages same-drive recovery
Watch-outs
  • Installing on the source drive can lower recovery odds
  • Software is not a substitute for a lab when hardware is failing
  • Recovery is not guaranteed, even if old filenames appear
Review the official recovery guidance
05

Cost and Licensing

Free diagnosis, paid recovery beyond a small Windows allowance

7.2/10

Disk Drill Basic lets you scan plus preview without paying. Windows users can recover up to 100 MB free, which is enough for a few documents or small photos, not a typical lost folder. Standard deleted-file recovery on macOS is mostly a scan-and-preview trial unless the data was covered by a qualifying protection feature.

As of July 2026, the listed consumer options are $89 per year or $149 for a lifetime license, with activation on up to three devices for one user. The annual plan feels steep for a one-time accident. The lifetime option makes more sense for a household with several drives, though future major-version upgrade terms deserve a close read.

In its favour
  • Free scan reveals whether target files are present
  • Windows includes 100 MB of free recovery
  • One-user license covers up to three activations
Watch-outs
  • $89 yearly is expensive for a single recovery job
  • Mac does not include the same general 100 MB allowance
  • A failed recovery normally does not qualify for a refund
Basic $0 Unlimited scanning plus previews; Windows recovery limited to 100 MB
Pro Annual $89/yr Unlimited recovery for one user on up to three devices
Pro Lifetime $149 Lifetime license for one user on up to three devices
Visit Disk Drill

How We Evaluated Disk Drill After Trash or Recycle Bin Deletion

We judged Disk Drill around the actual emptied-bin workflow: source-drive safety, detection of deleted records, deep-scan behavior, preview quality, result filtering, recovery destination controls, plus pricing. We checked the current Windows free limit, consumer license costs, official guidance on overwritten files, plus the July 2026 release information.

We also compared those details with a published Windows 11 test that deleted 22 mixed files from an NTFS hard drive before emptying the Recycle Bin. User reports were treated as individual experiences, not proof that every recovery will succeed or fail.

When Disk Drill Is the Wrong First Move

Do not keep scanning a drive that clicks, vanishes from the system, reports the wrong capacity, or slows to a crawl. Those symptoms can point to physical failure. Repeated power cycles may turn a partly recoverable drive into a dead one.

Disk Drill is also unlikely to help after secure erasure, heavy overwriting, or completed SSD TRIM. If the missing data is legally sensitive, commercially critical, or impossible to replace, disconnect the device plus contact a reputable recovery lab before trying software.

Disk Drill for Deleted Files: How It Scored by Category

CategoryPerformanceScore
01 Deleted File Recovery
9.1/10
02 Preview and File Selection
9.4/10
03 Drive and File-System Coverage
8.8/10
04 Recovery Safety
8.6/10
05 Cost and Licensing
7.2/10

What Disk Drill Users Reported

The poster says Disk Drill restored family photos from a RAW SD card after Recuva failed to detect it. Advanced Camera Recovery was especially useful for the fragmented video files.
Decent-Strawberry-97 · r/DataRecoveryHelp
A commenter in the same thread reported that the scan appeared promising, but the paid recovery did not produce usable client files. They also criticized the support response plus refund experience.
Reddit user · r/DataRecoveryHelp
One user recovered the free 100 MB allowance from an external drive, though some RAW photo results appeared to contain embedded previews rather than complete original image data.
Reddit user · r/datarecovery
Customer feedback is sharply mixed. Some reviewers describe successful photo or video recovery, while others report corrupted output, billing frustration, or weak support.
Verified reviewers · Trustpilot

Should You Use Disk Drill After Emptying the Bin?

Disk Drill is worth trying after an emptied Trash or Recycle Bin, particularly if the files were deleted from an HDD, USB drive, or memory card. Its interface is approachable, while the free preview gives you a much better buying signal than a list of filenames.

People recovering from a modern internal SSD should lower their expectations because TRIM may already have cleared the underlying blocks. Skip DIY software entirely if the drive clicks, disconnects, overheats, or holds irreplaceable business data.

Top pick Disk Drill
Stop using the affected drive, run the free scan from another device, preview each important file fully, then recover onto separate storage.

Disk Drill Trash and Recycle Bin Recovery FAQ

Can Disk Drill recover files after I emptied the Trash on Mac or the Recycle Bin on Windows?
Yes, it often can if the space has not been overwritten yet. The sooner you stop using the drive, the better your chances.
How do I use Disk Drill right after I delete something by mistake?
Install or launch it from a different drive if possible, then scan the drive that held the deleted file. Save any recovered files to a separate location, not the same disk you scanned.
Does Disk Drill work better on SSDs or HDDs after emptying the Trash?
It usually has a better shot on hard drives than on SSDs. SSDs with TRIM enabled often clear deleted data more aggressively, which can make recovery much harder.
Why did Disk Drill find my deleted file name but not the file contents?
The file record may still exist even if the data blocks are gone. That usually means the file was partially overwritten or the drive no longer has the full contents available.
Is Disk Drill safe to install on the same drive where I lost my files?
It is not the best choice if you can avoid it. Installing software can write new data to the very drive you are trying to recover from, which lowers recovery chances.
What is the difference between Quick Scan and Deep Scan in Disk Drill?
Quick Scan looks for recently deleted files and easier recovery cases. Deep Scan takes longer but searches more thoroughly, which helps when files were emptied from Trash or the Recycle Bin some time ago.
Can Disk Drill recover files after a disk format, too?
Sometimes, yes, especially if the format was recent and the drive has not been heavily used. Results depend on whether the data was actually overwritten during or after the format.
Does Disk Drill recover photos, videos, Word files, or PDFs better than other file types?
It depends more on the drive condition than the file type, but common formats like photos, documents, and videos are frequently recoverable. Fragmented files can be harder because pieces may be scattered across the disk.
How much does Disk Drill cost in 2026?
Pricing can change, so check the current plan page before buying. In most cases, the free version lets you scan, while recovery is tied to a paid license.
Is the free version enough to see if my deleted files are recoverable?
Usually yes. You can run a scan first to check whether Disk Drill can actually find the missing files before paying for recovery.
What should I do if Disk Drill shows the file, but recovery fails?
Try a Deep Scan, then attempt recovery to a different drive with enough free space. If it still fails, the file may be partially damaged or already overwritten.
Can Disk Drill recover files from an external hard drive or USB stick after emptying the Trash?
Yes, as long as the device is still readable by your computer. External drives are often good candidates because the deleted data may remain untouched if the drive has not been reused much.
Does Disk Drill work on encrypted drives or APFS volumes?
It can scan many encrypted or modern file systems, but success depends on whether the drive can be unlocked and read properly. If the volume is damaged, recovery gets more complicated fast.
How long should I wait before trying to recover deleted files?
Do not wait if you can avoid it. Every new download, browser cache, app update, or copied file can overwrite the deleted data you want back.
What are the signs that Disk Drill probably cannot recover my emptied Trash files?
If the drive has been used heavily since deletion, or if it is an SSD with TRIM, recovery odds drop a lot. A scan that shows corrupted previews or missing file contents is another bad sign.
Can Disk Drill recover files after a Windows reinstall?
Sometimes it can, but the odds are much lower because a reinstall writes a lot of new data. If the old system was on a different partition, recovery may be more promising there.
Is Disk Drill a good alternative to Time Machine or File History?
It is a recovery tool, not a backup tool. Time Machine or File History is better for regular protection, while Disk Drill is more useful when backups were not set up.
What should I avoid doing after emptying the Trash or Recycle Bin?
Do not save new files to the same drive, do not install extra apps, and do not run unnecessary cleanup tools. Those actions can overwrite the deleted data before recovery starts.
Should I choose Disk Drill or a professional data recovery service?
Try Disk Drill first if the file was deleted recently and the drive still works normally. If the drive is clicking, unreadable, or physically damaged, a pro service is the safer move.
Download Disk Drill Free scan · Preview before paying