Best Programs to Recover .ASF Files from External SSDs After a Crash

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 .ASF file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Best Programs to Recover .ASF Files from External SSDs After a Crash

What is a .ASF file?

An ASF file is a media file stored in the Advanced Systems Format (ASF), a proprietary video and audio container format. It contains audio and video data and optional metadata, such as title, author, and copyright bibliographic data. ASF files are developed by Microsoft primarily for streaming media.

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

There are several common causes of ".ASF" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".ASF" files while organizing or deleting other files.
  2. File system corruption: If the file system on the storage device becomes corrupted, it can lead to ".ASF" file loss or failure.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Viruses or malware can infect and corrupt ".ASF" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to be deleted.
  4. Power failure: Sudden power outages or system shutdowns during file transfer or editing can result in ".ASF" file loss or corruption.
  5. Hardware failure: Hard drive failure, faulty memory cards, or other hardware issues can lead to ".ASF" file loss or corruption.
  6. Software issues: Problems with media players, video editing software, or other applications that handle ".ASF" files can cause them to fail or become unreadable.
  7. Formatting or partitioning errors: Incorrect formatting or partitioning of storage devices can lead to the loss or corruption of ".ASF" files.
  8. Interruptions during file transfer: If there is an interruption or error during the transfer of ".ASF" files from one device to another, it can result in data loss or corruption.
  9. Human error: Mistakes made by users while handling ".ASF" files, such as accidental formatting, improper handling, or improper shutdown, can lead to file loss or failure.
  10. Aging or physical damage to storage media: Over time, storage devices can degrade or suffer physical damage, which can result in the loss or corruption of ".ASF" files stored on them.

How to recover lost ".ASF" 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 ".ASF" 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 ".ASF" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".ASF" 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 ".ASF" 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 ".ASF" 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 ".ASF" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo advanced Systems Format File image file file?

Programs that open ".ASF" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Windows Media Player Microsoft Windows Media Player
Nullsoft Winamp Nullsoft Winamp
CyberLink PowerProducer 6 CyberLink PowerProducer 6
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
Applian Replay Converter Applian Replay Converter
NCH WavePad NCH WavePad
Mac
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
ShedWorx Smart Converter ShedWorx Smart Converter
Aiseesoft Mac Video Converter Ultimate Aiseesoft Mac Video Converter Ultimate
NCH WavePad NCH WavePad
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
iOS
PentaLoop PlayerXtreme Media Player PentaLoop PlayerXtreme Media Player

Additional Information

  • File type: Advanced Systems Format File

  • File extension: .ASF

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/vnd.ms-asf

  • HEX: 30 26 B2 75 8E 66 CF 11 A6 D9

  • ASCII: 0&

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:37 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .ASF files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What are some common causes of problems opening .ASF files and how can they be fixed?

    Some common causes of problems opening .ASF files include:

    1. Incompatible media player: If you are using a media player that does not support the .ASF file format, it may fail to open the file. In this case, you can try using a different media player that supports ASF files, such as Windows Media Player, VLC media player, or MPC-HC.
    2. Corrupted file: If the .ASF file is corrupted or incomplete, it may not open properly. You can try downloading or obtaining a new copy of the file and see if it opens without any issues.
    3. Missing codecs: Sometimes, the media player may lack the necessary codecs to decode and play the .ASF file. Codecs are software components that enable the media player to understand different file formats. You can try installing the required codecs for ASF files. For example, the K-Lite Codec Pack is a popular choice that includes a wide range of codecs.
    4. Outdated media player: If your media player is outdated, it may not have the necessary features or bug fixes to handle .ASF files properly. Updating your media player to the latest version can often resolve compatibility issues.
    5. File association errors: If the file association for .ASF files is incorrect, your operating system may not know which program to use to open the file. You can manually change the file association settings to associate .ASF files with a specific media player.
    6. Insufficient system resources: Opening large .ASF files or running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously can sometimes lead to problems. In such cases, closing unnecessary programs or upgrading your system's hardware (e.g., RAM, CPU) may help resolve the issue.

    If none of these solutions work, it is possible that the .ASF file itself is damaged or incompatible with your system. In such cases, you may need to seek an alternative file format or source for the content you are trying to access.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help in resolving issues with opening .ASF files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools that can help in resolving issues with opening .ASF files. Some of them include:

    1. VLC Media Player: VLC is a free and open-source media player that supports a wide range of file formats, including .ASF. It can often play .ASF files that other media players may struggle with.
    2. Windows Media Player: The default media player in Windows, Windows Media Player, can also open .ASF files. However, if you encounter issues, you may need to update the player or install additional codecs.
    3. ASF Codec Pack: Installing a codec pack specifically designed for .ASF files can help resolve compatibility issues. One such pack is the ASF Codec Pack, which provides the necessary codecs to play .ASF files in various media players.
    4. File Repair Tools: If the .ASF file is corrupted or damaged, you can try using file repair tools such as File Repair, Stellar Repair for Video, or VLC's built-in file repair feature to fix the issues and open the file.
    5. Converters: If you're unable to open the .ASF file, you can try converting it to a different format using video converters like HandBrake, Freemake Video Converter, or Any Video Converter. Once converted, you may be able to open the file in a wider range of media players.

    It's important to note that the choice of software or tool may depend on the specific issue you're facing with the .ASF file, so it's recommended to try different options until you find one that works for you.

  • Are there any alternative file formats or conversion methods that can be used to overcome difficulties in opening .ASF files?

    Yes, there are alternative file formats and conversion methods that can be used to overcome difficulties in opening .ASF files. Here are a few options:

    1. Convert ASF to MP4: You can use a video converter tool to convert the ASF file to the more widely supported MP4 format. There are several online and offline converters available for this purpose.
    2. Convert ASF to AVI: Another option is to convert the ASF file to the AVI format, which is also widely supported. Many video converter tools can perform this conversion.
    3. VLC Media Player: If you are having trouble opening the ASF file, try using VLC Media Player. It is a versatile media player that can handle various file formats, including ASF. VLC can often overcome compatibility issues and play the file smoothly.
    4. ASF to WMV: ASF (Advanced Systems Format) and WMV (Windows Media Video) are closely related formats. If you are having trouble opening an ASF file, renaming it with a .WMV extension might allow you to open it using a media player that supports WMV files.
    5. Third-party multimedia software: There are several third-party multimedia software programs available that can handle ASF files. These programs often provide additional features and codecs that can help in opening and playing ASF files.

    Remember to always exercise caution when downloading and installing software from the internet. Make sure to use trusted sources and scan any downloaded files for malware before installation.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat