Virus Infection? Here’s How to Recover Your .DEF Files

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

Virus Infection? Here’s How to Recover Your .DEF Files
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DEF file?

Game data file used by M.U.G.E.N., a sprite-based game engine used for making 2D fighting games; contains the definition for a character, including the character name and version information and the character specification files (.CNS, .SFF, .CMD, and .AIR) used by the engine.

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

There can be several common causes for ".DEF" files getting lost or experiencing failure. Some of these causes include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users might accidentally delete the ".DEF" files, either by directly deleting them or by using disk-cleaning utilities.
  2. Software issues: Errors or bugs in software applications that use ".DEF" files can lead to their loss or failure. This can occur during installation, updates, or while running the software.
  3. Malware or virus attacks: Malicious programs can infect and corrupt ".DEF" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  4. Hardware failures: Issues with the storage device or hardware components can lead to the loss or corruption of ".DEF" files. This can occur due to physical damage, bad sectors, or other hardware malfunctions.
  5. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as file system corruption or disk errors, can result in the loss or failure of ".DEF" files.
  6. Improper shutdown: If a system is not shut down properly, it can cause data loss or corruption, including ".DEF" files.
  7. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications or incompatible software versions can cause ".DEF" files to become lost or fail.
  8. Human errors: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or improper handling of files, can lead to the loss or failure of ".DEF" files.

It is important to regularly back up important files, including ".DEF" files, to minimize the risk of data loss or failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo m.U.G.E.N. Character Definition File image file file?

Programs that open ".DEF" files

Windows
Elecbyte M.U.G.E.N. Elecbyte M.U.G.E.N.

Additional Information

  • File type: M.U.G.E.N. Character Definition File

  • File extension: .DEF

  • Developer: Elecbyte

  • Category: Game Files

  • Format: Text

  • File types that use the extension .DEF:

    • M.U.G.E.N. Character Definition File

    • Module-Definition File

    • SmartWare II Data File

    • IOBit Malware Fighter Definitions File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:39 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DEF 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 is the purpose of the .DEF format in computer programming?

    The .DEF format, also known as Module-Definition File, is used in computer programming to define the exported and imported symbols of a dynamic-link library (DLL) or an executable file.

    The purpose of the .DEF format is to provide a way for developers to explicitly specify which functions, variables, or resources are accessible from outside the DLL or executable, and which symbols are required from other modules. It serves as a declaration file that helps in the linking process by defining the interface of the module.

    By using a .DEF file, developers can control the visibility and accessibility of symbols, manage name decoration and calling conventions, and resolve external dependencies between modules. It allows for explicit control over the exported and imported symbols, enabling better organization and encapsulation of code within a program.

    Overall, the .DEF format helps in managing the interface and linking of modules, ensuring proper communication and interaction between different components of a software system.

  • How does the .DEF format differ from other file formats used in software development?

    The .DEF (Module-Definition) format is a specific file format used in software development, primarily in the context of Windows programming. It differs from other file formats in the following ways:

    1. Purpose: The .DEF format is specifically designed to define the exports and imports of a dynamic-link library (DLL) or an executable file. It provides information about the functions, variables, and other symbols that can be accessed by other modules.
    2. Content: A .DEF file typically contains a list of exported and imported symbols along with their attributes and ordinal numbers. It may also include additional directives to control the linking process.
    3. Usage: The .DEF format is primarily used during the linking phase of the software development process. It helps the linker resolve symbols and establish the necessary connections between different modules.
    4. Platform-specific: The .DEF format is closely tied to the Windows operating system and is primarily used in Windows programming. It is not widely used in other platforms or programming languages.
    5. Alternatives: In contrast to the .DEF format, other file formats like .LIB (Library), .OBJ (Object), or .DLL (Dynamic-Link Library) serve different purposes in software development. For example, .LIB files contain precompiled code that can be linked directly, while .OBJ files contain object code generated during the compilation process.

    Overall, the .DEF format is specific to Windows programming and serves a distinct purpose in defining the exports and imports of a module, distinguishing it from other file formats used in software development.

  • Can you provide an example of how to create and use a .DEF file in a specific programming language or development environment?

    Sure! Here's an example of how to create and use a .DEF file in C++ using the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment:

    1. Create a new C++ project in Visual Studio.
    2. Right-click on the project in the Solution Explorer and select "Add New Item".
    3. Choose "Module-Definition File (.def)" from the list of item templates and give it a suitable name, such as "example.def".
    4. Open the .def file in the code editor.

    Inside the .def file, you can define the exports for your project. For example, let's say you have a C++ function called "addNumbers" that you want to export:

    ```

    LIBRARY "ExampleLibrary"

    EXPORTS

    addNumbers

    ```

    In this example, we define the library name as "ExampleLibrary" and export the "addNumbers" function.

    Save the .def file.

    Now, to use the .def file in your project:

    1. Open the project properties by right-clicking on the project in the Solution Explorer and selecting "Properties".
    2. Navigate to "Configuration Properties" -> "Linker" -> "Input".
    3. In the "Module Definition File" field, enter the path to your .def file (e.g., "$(ProjectDir)example.def").
    4. Save the project properties.

    Now, when you build your project, it will use the .def file to generate a dynamic-link library (DLL) with the specified exports.

    Note: The steps provided here are specific to Microsoft Visual Studio and C++. The process may vary slightly depending on the programming language and development environment you are using.
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