A Practical Guide to Recovering .HDR Files After Disk Formatting

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

A Practical Guide to Recovering .HDR Files After Disk Formatting

What is a .HDR file?

An HDR file is a raster image or digital photo saved in HDRsoft's High Dynamic Range (HDR) image format. It is used for enhancing the color and brightness range of a digital image. HDR files can also be processed to fix dark shadows or washed out areas of a picture.

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

There are several common causes of ".HDR" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may unintentionally delete ".HDR" files while organizing or deleting other files on their computer or storage device.
  2. File system errors: Issues with the file system, such as corruption or damage, can lead to the loss or failure of ".HDR" files.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".HDR" files, making them inaccessible or corrupt.
  4. Hardware failure: Problems with the storage device, such as a hard drive crash or failure, can result in the loss of ".HDR" files.
  5. Software issues: Errors or glitches in software applications used to create, edit, or open ".HDR" files can cause data loss or file corruption.
  6. Power outages: Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns can interrupt the saving or writing process of ".HDR" files, leading to data loss or file corruption.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or improper handling of files, can result in the loss or failure of ".HDR" files.
  8. Incompatibility: Opening or editing ".HDR" files with incompatible software or outdated versions can lead to file corruption or data loss.
  9. Transfer or synchronization errors: Problems during file transfer or synchronization between devices or cloud storage services can cause ".HDR" files to be lost or become corrupted.
  10. Physical damage: Physical damage to the storage device, such as dropping a hard drive or exposing it to extreme temperatures or water damage, can result in the loss of ".HDR" files.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo high Dynamic Range Image File image file file?

Programs that open ".HDR" files

Windows
HDRSoft Photomatix HDRSoft Photomatix
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
ACD Systems Canvas X 2019 ACD Systems Canvas X 2019
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio
Mac
HDRSoft Photomatix HDRSoft Photomatix
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
Lemkesoft GraphicConverter Lemkesoft GraphicConverter

Additional Information

  • File type: High Dynamic Range Image File

  • File extension: .HDR

  • Developer: HDRsoft

  • Category: Raster Image Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 23 3F 52 41 44 49 41 4E 43 45 0A

  • ASCII: #?RADIANCE

  • File types that use the extension .HDR:

    • High Dynamic Range Image File

    • ESRI BIL Header File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:38 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .HDR 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 a .HDR backup file and how does it differ from other backup formats?

    A .HDR backup file, also known as a hard disk image file, is a type of backup format that contains a complete copy of a hard drive or a partition. It is created using specialized backup software that captures the entire contents of the source drive, including the operating system, files, folders, and settings.

    The main difference between a .HDR backup file and other backup formats, such as file-based backups or incremental backups, lies in the level of data being backed up. While file-based backups only copy selected files and folders, a .HDR backup captures the entire hard drive or partition, including the file system structure and boot sector.

    This comprehensive nature of .HDR backups allows for complete system restoration in case of a system failure or data loss. It means that not only individual files can be recovered, but the entire system can be restored to the exact state it was in when the backup was created. This makes it a suitable option for system recovery, disk cloning, or migrating to a new hard drive.

    However, due to the extensive size of .HDR backup files, they require more storage space compared to other backup formats. Additionally, the process of restoring from a .HDR backup may take longer as it involves copying the entire contents of the backup file back to the target drive.

    Overall, .HDR backup files offer a comprehensive and reliable backup solution, particularly for system-level backups and disaster recovery scenarios.

  • What are the benefits of using .HDR backup files for data backup and recovery?

    There are several benefits of using .HDR backup files for data backup and recovery:

    1. Efficient storage: .HDR backup files use a highly efficient compression algorithm, allowing for significant reduction in storage space required for backups. This can be especially beneficial when dealing with large amounts of data.
    2. Faster backups and recovery: The compression algorithm used in .HDR backup files ensures faster backup and recovery times. The reduced file size enables quicker transfer and restoration of data, minimizing downtime.
    3. Data integrity: .HDR backup files have built-in integrity checks to ensure that the backed-up data remains intact and error-free. This helps to prevent data corruption during the backup and recovery process.
    4. Incremental backups: .HDR backup files support incremental backups, which means that only the changes made since the last backup are stored. This reduces the backup time and storage requirements, making it an efficient solution for frequent backups.
    5. Encryption and security: .HDR backup files can be encrypted to provide an additional layer of security for sensitive data. This ensures that the backed-up information remains protected from unauthorized access.
    6. Flexibility and compatibility: .HDR backup files are compatible with various backup software and can be used across different operating systems. This allows for flexibility in choosing the backup software and ensures compatibility with different environments.
    7. Version control: .HDR backup files support version control, enabling the retention of multiple versions of backed-up data. This can be useful in scenarios where older versions of files need to be recovered or compared.

    Overall, the use of .HDR backup files offers efficient storage, faster backup and recovery times, data integrity, security, flexibility, and version control, making it a reliable solution for data backup and recovery.

  • How can I create and restore a .HDR backup file for my important files and folders?

    To create and restore a .HDR backup file for your important files and folders, you can follow these steps:

    Creating a .HDR Backup File:

    1. Open the backup software on your computer. If you do not have any backup software installed, you can choose from various options available online like Acronis True Image, EaseUS Todo Backup, or Macrium Reflect.
    2. Select the files and folders you want to include in the backup. You can either choose specific files/folders or select the entire system for a full backup.
    3. Choose the destination where you want to store the backup. It can be an external hard drive, a network location, or a cloud storage service.
    4. Set the backup options such as compression level, encryption, and scheduling if required.
    5. Start the backup process and wait for it to complete. The time required will depend on the size of the files and the speed of your computer and storage medium.

    Restoring from a .HDR Backup File:

    1. Open the backup software on your computer.
    2. Locate the option to restore files or folders from a backup.
    3. Choose the .HDR backup file you want to restore from and select the files/folders you wish to restore. If you want to restore the entire backup, select the full system restore option.
    4. Select the destination where you want to restore the files. Make sure you have enough space on the destination drive.
    5. Start the restore process and wait for it to complete. Again, the time required will depend on the size of the files and the speed of your computer and storage medium.

    Note: The steps mentioned above are general guidelines, and the exact process may vary depending on the backup software you are using. It is recommended to refer to the software's user manual or documentation for detailed instructions specific to the software you choose.

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