How to Fix .CONTACT Files Lost After System Crashes or Reboots

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

How to Fix .CONTACT Files Lost After System Crashes or Reboots
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What is a .CONTACT file?

Contact file created by Windows Contacts, a built-in contact management program included with Windows Vista and Windows 7; contains information about a person or organization, including name, picture, email address, phone number, home and work addresses, professional titles, and family members; located in the Windows "Contacts" folder for each Windows user.

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

There are several common causes for ".CONTACT" files to be lost or fail:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".CONTACT" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer system, leading to their loss.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with the computer's operating system, software conflicts, or hardware failures can result in the corruption or loss of ".CONTACT" files.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and corrupt files on a computer, including ".CONTACT" files, rendering them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  4. Improper file system handling: If the file system on the computer is not handled properly, such as abrupt system shutdowns or improper ejection of external storage devices, it can lead to file corruption or loss.
  5. File system errors: Errors within the file system, such as disk errors or file system corruption, can cause ".CONTACT" files to become lost or fail.
  6. Synchronization issues: If ".CONTACT" files are being synchronized between different devices or platforms, errors during the synchronization process can result in file loss or failure.
  7. Software or application issues: Problems with the software or application used to open or manage ".CONTACT" files can lead to their failure or loss.
  8. Human error: Users may accidentally overwrite or modify ".CONTACT" files, leading to their failure or loss.

It is important to regularly back up ".CONTACT" files to prevent their loss and to use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware or virus attacks.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Contact File image file file?

Programs that open ".CONTACT" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Contacts Microsoft Windows Contacts
Microsoft Windows Live Mail Microsoft Windows Live Mail
Microsoft Mail Microsoft Mail

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Contact File

  • File extension: .CONTACT

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Data Files

  • Format: Binary

  • HEX: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C 20 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3D 22 31 2E

  • ASCII: <?xml version="1.

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:53 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .CONTACT 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

  • What are some common reasons for experiencing difficulties in opening .CONTACT files, and how can these problems be resolved?

    Some common reasons for experiencing difficulties in opening .CONTACT files include:

    1. Incompatible software: If you don't have the appropriate software installed to open .CONTACT files, you may encounter difficulties. These files are typically associated with contact management software like Microsoft Outlook.
    2. Corrupted file: If the .CONTACT file is corrupted or damaged, it may not open properly. This can happen due to various reasons, such as incomplete downloads or file system errors.
    3. Outdated software: If you're using an outdated version of the software associated with .CONTACT files, it may not be compatible with the file format, causing issues when opening.

    To resolve these problems, you can try the following solutions:

    1. Install compatible software: Ensure you have the appropriate software installed to open .CONTACT files. Microsoft Outlook is a common program used for this purpose. If you already have the software installed, make sure it's up to date.
    2. Repair or recover corrupted files: If the .CONTACT file is corrupted, you can try using file repair tools or recovery software to fix the issue. These tools can often repair minor file corruptions and make them accessible again.
    3. Update software: If you're using an outdated version of the software, check for updates and install the latest version. Software updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements that may resolve issues with opening certain file types.
    4. Convert the file: If you're still unable to open the .CONTACT file, you can try converting it to a different format that is compatible with your software. There are online file conversion tools available that can help with this process.
    5. Seek professional help: If none of the above solutions work, consider seeking help from technical support or a professional who specializes in data recovery. They may have more advanced tools and techniques to recover or open the .CONTACT file.

    Remember to always exercise caution when downloading or opening files from unknown sources to avoid potential security risks.

  • Are there any specific software or applications that can help in fixing issues related to opening .CONTACT files?

    Yes, there are several software and applications that can help in fixing issues related to opening .CONTACT files. Some of them include:

    1. Microsoft Outlook: This is a popular email client that can open and manage .CONTACT files. It allows you to import and export contacts in various formats, including .CONTACT.
    2. Windows Contacts: This is a built-in application in Windows operating systems (Windows Vista and later) that allows you to manage and view .CONTACT files. You can open .CONTACT files directly with Windows Contacts or import them into other applications.
    3. vCard Viewer: There are several vCard viewer applications available that can open .CONTACT files. These viewers allow you to view the contact details and export them to other formats if needed.
    4. Contact Managers: There are various third-party contact manager applications available that can open and manage .CONTACT files. These applications provide advanced features for organizing and synchronizing contacts across multiple devices.
    5. Online Tools: There are also online tools available that can help in opening and converting .CONTACT files. These tools allow you to upload the .CONTACT file and convert it to a more common format like vCard (.vcf).

    It's important to note that the availability and effectiveness of these solutions may vary depending on your operating system and specific requirements.

  • Are there any manual troubleshooting steps that can be followed to resolve problems with opening .CONTACT files, such as checking file associations or updating software versions?

    Yes, there are several manual troubleshooting steps that can be followed to resolve problems with opening .CONTACT files. Here are a few steps you can try:

    Check File Associations: Ensure that the .CONTACT file extension is associated with the correct program. To do this:

    • Right-click on the .CONTACT file and select "Open with" or "Open with > Choose default program."
    • Select the appropriate program (e.g., Windows Contacts, Microsoft Outlook) to open .CONTACT files.
    • Check the "Always use this program to open this type of file" option.
    • Click OK.

    Update Software Versions: Make sure that the software associated with .CONTACT files is up to date. This is particularly important if you are using a specific program to open .CONTACT files, such as Microsoft Outlook.

    • Check for updates within the application or visit the software's official website to download and install the latest version.

    Repair or Reinstall Software: If updating the software doesn't resolve the issue, try repairing or reinstalling it.

    • For Windows Contacts: Open the Control Panel, go to "Programs" or "Programs and Features," find "Windows Contacts" in the list, and select "Repair" or "Uninstall/Change" and then "Repair."
    • For Microsoft Outlook: Open the Control Panel, go to "Programs" or "Programs and Features," find "Microsoft Office" (or "Microsoft Outlook") in the list, and select "Repair" or "Uninstall/Change" and then "Repair."

    Try Alternative Programs: If the above steps don't work, try opening the .CONTACT file with a different program.

    • There are various third-party contact management software available that can open .CONTACT files. You can try installing and using one of these programs to open the file.

    Check for File Corruption: If the .CONTACT file is corrupted, it may cause issues while opening. Try obtaining a fresh copy of the .CONTACT file from a trusted source or ask the sender to resend it.

    Remember to always exercise caution when downloading or opening files from unknown sources.
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