How to Fix .INF_LOC Files Damaged by Improper Ejecting of Storage Devices

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

How to Fix .INF_LOC Files Damaged by Improper Ejecting of Storage Devices
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What is a .INF_LOC file?

File used by Windows for storing information about drivers; used internally by Windows when installing and configuring drivers; acts as a cache for driver data; saved in a plain text format and can be viewed with a text editor such as Notepad.

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

There can be several common causes for ".INF_LOC" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".INF_LOC" files while performing file management tasks, such as cleaning up their system or removing unnecessary files.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software or hardware components can lead to the loss or failure of ".INF_LOC" files. This can include software conflicts, system crashes, or hardware failures.
  3. Malware or virus infections: Malicious software or viruses can infect and corrupt files on a computer system, including ".INF_LOC" files. This can result in the loss or failure of these files.
  4. File system errors: File system errors, such as disk errors or corruption, can cause ".INF_LOC" files to become inaccessible or damaged, leading to their loss or failure.
  5. Improper file handling: Improper handling of ".INF_LOC" files, such as forceful termination of associated programs or improper shutdowns, can result in file corruption or loss.
  6. Operating system issues: Issues with the operating system, such as system updates or upgrades, can sometimes lead to the loss or failure of ".INF_LOC" files.
  7. Human error: Human errors, such as mistakenly moving or renaming ".INF_LOC" files, can result in their loss or failure.

It is important to regularly backup important files, including ".INF_LOC" files, to prevent data loss in case of any of these common causes.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Driver Information Cache File image file file?

Programs that open ".INF_LOC" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Driver Information Cache File

  • File extension: .INF_LOC

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: Text

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:06 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .INF_LOC 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 .INF_LOC format in computer programming?

    The .INF_LOC format is not a commonly used or recognized format in computer programming. It is possible that you are referring to a specific file extension or format used in a particular software or programming language that is not widely known. Without more context or information, it is difficult to determine the purpose of the .INF_LOC format.

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

    The .INF_LOC format is specific to software localization and differs from other file formats used in software development in the following ways:

    1. Purpose: The primary purpose of the .INF_LOC format is to store localized text strings used in software applications. It is used to separate the user interface text from the code, making it easier to translate and adapt the software for different languages and regions. Other file formats in software development may serve different purposes like storing source code, configuration data, or resources.
    2. Content: The .INF_LOC format typically contains key-value pairs, where the key represents the original text string in the source language, and the value represents the translated text string in the target language. It may also include additional metadata related to localization, such as context information or placeholders. Other file formats used in software development may contain a wide range of data types, including code, markup, images, audio, or video.
    3. Structure: The structure of the .INF_LOC format is usually simple and straightforward, with each key-value pair represented on a separate line or in a structured format like XML or JSON. The format focuses on organizing and presenting localized text strings in a human-readable and translatable manner. In contrast, other file formats used in software development may have complex structures and hierarchies, depending on their specific purpose and requirements.
    4. Tooling: The .INF_LOC format is often supported by specialized localization tools that facilitate the translation and management of localized text strings. These tools can extract the text strings from the software, provide an interface for translators, and generate the final localized versions of the software. Other file formats used in software development may be processed by different sets of tools, such as compilers, interpreters, version control systems, or build automation tools.

    Overall, the .INF_LOC format is designed specifically for software localization, focusing on storing and managing localized text strings efficiently. Its purpose, content, structure, and tooling differ from other file formats used in software development, which are typically more diverse and cater to various aspects of software creation and deployment.

  • Can you provide an example of how the .INF_LOC format is used in a specific application or programming language?

    The .INF_LOC format is commonly used in the Windows operating system for localization purposes. It is typically used in conjunction with the .INF file format to provide language-specific information during the installation of software or drivers.

    Here's an example of how the .INF_LOC format can be used in an INF file for a driver installation:

    ```

    [Version]

    Signature="$WINDOWS NT$"

    Class=Printer

    ClassGUID={4D36E979-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

    Provider=%MFG%

    CatalogFile=MyDriver.cat

    DriverVer=01/01/2022,1.0.0.0

    [DestinationDirs]

    DefaultDestDir=66000

    [Manufacturer]

    %MFG%=ManufacturerSection

    [ManufacturerSection]

    %MODEL%=ModelSection,NTx86,NTamd64

    [ModelSection.NTx86]

    %MODEL%=DriverInstall,USBPRINTMyDriver

    [ModelSection.NTamd64]

    %MODEL%=DriverInstall,USBPRINTMyDriver

    [DriverInstall.NTx86]

    CopyFiles=DriverFiles

    [DriverInstall.NTamd64]

    CopyFiles=DriverFiles

    [DriverFiles]

    %INF_LOC%=20

    [SourceDisksNames]

    1=%DISKNAME%,,,

    [SourceDisksFiles]

    MyDriver.sys=1

    [Strings]

    MFG="My Manufacturer"

    MODEL="My Printer Model"

    INF_LOC="MyDriver.inf_loc"

    DISKNAME="My Driver Disk"

    ```

    In this example, the INF_LOC file (MyDriver.inf_loc) contains language-specific strings that will be displayed during the installation process. These strings are referenced using the %INF_LOC% placeholder in the INF file.

    The INF file specifies different language sections (e.g., ModelSection.NTx86, ModelSection.NTamd64) and maps them to the corresponding INF_LOC file. During installation, the appropriate language section and INF_LOC file will be selected based on the user's system language.

    The INF_LOC file itself will contain the localized strings for various installation prompts, messages, or descriptions.

    Note that this is just a simplified example, and the actual usage of the .INF_LOC format may vary depending on the specific application or programming language being used.
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