How to Repair Corrupted .DWL Files After a Virus Attack

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

How to Repair Corrupted .DWL Files After a Virus Attack

What is a .DWL file?

A DWL file is a lock file created by TurboCAD, a program used to draft 2D and 3D designs. It stores lock information when a drawing (.TCW file) is currently opened in the program. DWL files are used for preventing simultaneous access to a drawing, which may cause the file to become corrupted.

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

There are several common causes of ".DWL" (Drawing Lock) file loss or failure:

  1. Unexpected shutdown: If a computer or software crashes or shuts down unexpectedly while a ".DWL" file is open, it can result in the loss or corruption of the file.
  2. Software issues: Problems with the CAD software itself, such as bugs, glitches, or compatibility issues, can lead to ".DWL" file failures.
  3. File system errors: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors, file corruption, or bad sectors, can cause ".DWL" files to become lost or inaccessible.
  4. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".DWL" files while cleaning up their computer or organizing files, resulting in their loss.
  5. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".DWL" files, making them unreadable or causing them to be deleted.
  6. Hardware failure: Problems with the computer's hardware, such as a hard drive failure or power outage, can lead to the loss of ".DWL" files.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as improper handling of files, accidental formatting of storage devices, or improper shutdown procedures, can result in ".DWL" file loss or failure.

It is important to regularly backup ".DWL" files and implement proper file management practices to minimize the risk of data loss or file failures.

How to recover lost ".DWL" 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 ".DWL" file may be deleted.

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🧺 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 ".DWL" file is always to create it once more.

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

Looking for how to open a stereo turboCAD Drawing Lock File image file file?

Programs that open ".DWL" files

Windows
IMSI TurboCAD Pro IMSI TurboCAD Pro

Additional Information

  • File type: TurboCAD Drawing Lock File

  • File extension: .DWL

  • Developer: IMSI

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:59 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DWL 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 ".DWL Recovery" and how does it work?

    ".DWL Recovery" is a term commonly associated with AutoCAD software. AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software used for creating 2D and 3D designs.

    The ".DWL" file extension stands for "Drawing Lock" and is created by AutoCAD when a drawing file (.DWG) is opened by a user. This file is used to prevent other users from making changes to the drawing while it is open.

    Sometimes, due to unexpected events like software crashes or power failures, the AutoCAD program may not close properly, leaving the ".DWL" file behind. This can cause issues when trying to open the drawing file again, as AutoCAD recognizes the presence of the ".DWL" file and assumes the drawing is already in use.

    To resolve this issue, AutoCAD provides a built-in mechanism called ".DWL Recovery." When you attempt to open a drawing file that has a corresponding ".DWL" file, AutoCAD recognizes the issue and automatically attempts to recover the drawing by removing the lock file. This allows you to open and work on the drawing again.

    However, it is important to note that the ".DWL Recovery" process may not always be successful. If the drawing file itself is corrupted, the recovery process might not be able to restore it. In such cases, it is recommended to have a backup of your drawing files to avoid potential data loss.

  • Can ".DWL Recovery" be used to recover deleted or lost files on a computer?

    No, ".DWL Recovery" cannot be used to recover deleted or lost files on a computer. ".DWL Recovery" is a file extension associated with AutoCAD drawing lock files. These files are created by AutoCAD to prevent multiple users from making changes to the same drawing simultaneously. They do not contain any actual drawing data and cannot be used for file recovery purposes. To recover deleted or lost files on a computer, you would need to use specific data recovery software or services designed for that purpose.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues with using ".DWL Recovery" for data recovery?

    There is no specific software called ".DWL Recovery" for data recovery that I am aware of. However, if you are referring to a general data recovery software with a different name or extension, there can be limitations and compatibility issues with any data recovery tool. Some potential limitations and compatibility issues may include:

    1. File System Compatibility: Data recovery software may not support all file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, HFS+, etc. Make sure the software you choose is compatible with the file system of your storage device.
    2. Operating System Compatibility: Data recovery software may be designed for specific operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. Ensure that the software you select is compatible with your operating system.
    3. Device Compatibility: Different data recovery tools may have varying compatibility with different storage devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB drives, memory cards, etc. Verify that the software supports the type of storage device you want to recover data from.
    4. Limitations in Recoverable File Types: Some data recovery software may only support the recovery of specific file types like documents, photos, videos, etc. Check if the software you are considering supports the specific file types you need to recover.
    5. Free vs. Paid Versions: Free versions of data recovery software often have limitations on the amount of data that can be recovered or may lack advanced features available in paid versions. Evaluate the limitations of the software you choose based on your recovery needs.
    6. Success Rate and Efficiency: Data recovery software may vary in terms of their success rates and efficiency in recovering lost or deleted files. It's essential to research and choose a reputable and reliable software with positive user reviews.

    It's important to thoroughly research and read reviews about any specific data recovery software you plan to use to ensure it meets your requirements and is compatible with your system and storage devices.

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