Top 10 Tools for Recovering .ANI Files from Corrupt Devices

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .ANI file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Top 10 Tools for Recovering .ANI Files from Corrupt Devices

What is a .ANI file?

An ANI file is a cursor animation file used by the Windows operating system. It contains image frames for the animation sequence as a collection of .ICO files. ANI files are similar to .CUR files, but contain multiple images used for animation.

What Are Common Causes of ".ANI" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes of ".ANI" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".ANI" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer systems.
  2. Virus or malware attack: ANI files can be targeted by viruses or malware, leading to their corruption or deletion.
  3. System errors: System errors, such as sudden power outages, software conflicts, or hardware failures, can result in the loss or corruption of ".ANI" files.
  4. File system corruption: If the file system on the storage device where ".ANI" files are stored gets corrupted, it can lead to the loss or failure of these files.
  5. Software or application issues: Incompatibility issues, software bugs, or glitches in applications that use ".ANI" files can cause them to fail or become inaccessible.
  6. Hardware issues: Faulty hardware components, such as a failing hard drive or a damaged storage device, can lead to the loss or failure of ".ANI" files.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as improper handling of files, accidental formatting of storage devices, or improper shutdowns, can result in the loss of ".ANI" files.

It is always recommended to regularly backup important files, including ".ANI" files, to minimize the risk of data loss.

How to recover lost ".ANI" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".ANI" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".ANI" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".ANI" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".ANI" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".ANI" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".ANI" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Animated Cursor image file file?

Programs that open ".ANI" files

Windows
Axialis CursorWorkshop Axialis CursorWorkshop
RealWorld Cursor Editor RealWorld Cursor Editor
G.D.G. AniTuner G.D.G. AniTuner
Aha-Soft ArtCursors Aha-Soft ArtCursors
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio
Inkscape Inkscape
IcoFX IcoFX
Mac
Inkscape Inkscape
Linux
Inkscape Inkscape

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Animated Cursor

  • File extension: .ANI

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: Binary

  • HEX: 52 49 46 46

  • ASCII: RIFF

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:35 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .ANI files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • How can I repair a corrupted .ANI file?

    To repair a corrupted .ANI file, you can try the following methods:

    1. Restore from backup: If you have a backup of the .ANI file, you can simply restore it from the backup location.
    2. Use a file repair software: There are various file repair software available online that specialize in repairing corrupted files. These tools analyze the file structure and attempt to fix any errors or corruption. Some popular options include File Repair, Stellar Repair for Video, and File Repair Toolkit.
    3. Convert to a different format: If repairing the .ANI file directly doesn't work, you can try converting it to a different format that is supported by your software. For example, you can convert the .ANI file to a .GIF or .PNG format using online conversion tools or specialized software. Once converted, you can use the new file format in your application.
    4. Recreate the file: If all else fails, you may need to recreate the .ANI file from scratch. Use an animation software or a graphics editor to create a new .ANI file with the desired animation or cursor properties.

    Remember to always keep backups of important files to avoid data loss and corruption in the future.

  • What are the common causes of .ANI file corruption, and how can I prevent it?

    The common causes of .ANI file corruption include:

    1. Malware or viruses: Malicious software can infect .ANI files and corrupt them, leading to errors or complete file loss.
    2. Improper shutdown: If your computer unexpectedly shuts down or restarts while an .ANI file is open or being accessed, it can result in corruption.
    3. Hardware issues: Problems with your computer's hard drive, such as bad sectors or physical damage, can cause .ANI file corruption.
    4. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications or incompatible software versions can lead to .ANI file corruption.

    To prevent .ANI file corruption, you can take the following preventive measures:

    1. Install reliable antivirus software and keep it up to date. Regularly scan your computer for malware to prevent infections that can corrupt files.
    2. Ensure you have a stable power supply and use a reliable UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to protect your computer from sudden power outages or fluctuations.
    3. Safely shut down your computer and close any applications before turning it off. Avoid abrupt shutdowns or restarts.
    4. Regularly update your operating system, software, and drivers to ensure compatibility and fix any known issues that could lead to file corruption.
    5. Backup your .ANI files and important data regularly. Create multiple backups and store them in different locations to safeguard against data loss due to corruption or other issues.
    6. Avoid downloading .ANI files from untrusted or suspicious sources. Be cautious while opening email attachments or downloading files from the internet to minimize the risk of malware infection.
    7. Use reliable software and ensure that all applications you use are legitimate and obtained from trusted sources.

    By following these preventive measures, you can reduce the chances of .ANI file corruption and ensure the integrity of your data.

  • Are there any specific software tools or methods available for repairing .ANI files?

    Yes, there are software tools and methods available for repairing .ANI files. One popular tool is called AniTuner, which is specifically designed for creating, editing, and repairing animated cursors (.ANI files). Another option is using a general file repair tool like File Repair, which can handle various file formats including .ANI files. Additionally, you can try using a hex editor to manually fix any corrupted or damaged parts of the .ANI file. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of these tools and methods may vary depending on the extent of the damage to the .ANI file.

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