How to Fix and Retrieve Damaged .ITEMDATA-MS Files Using Data Recovery Software

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 .ITEMDATA-MS file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Fix and Retrieve Damaged .ITEMDATA-MS Files Using Data Recovery Software

What is a .ITEMDATA-MS file?

System file used by the Windows 8 operating system; contains user settings that define the layout of items on the Windows 8 Start screen; arranges tiles for items such as news, weather, Windows programs, and user applications.

What Are Common Causes of ".ITEMDATA-MS" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes for ".ITEMDATA-MS" files being lost or experiencing failure. Some of the main causes include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".ITEMDATA-MS" files while attempting to clean up their system or remove unnecessary files.
  2. Software or system errors: Errors in software or system can lead to the corruption or loss of ".ITEMDATA-MS" files. This can occur due to software bugs, conflicts, or crashes.
  3. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can infect and damage ".ITEMDATA-MS" files, leading to their loss or corruption. Viruses or malware may delete, modify, or encrypt these files, making them inaccessible.
  4. Hardware failure: Issues with the storage device where ".ITEMDATA-MS" files are stored, such as a hard drive failure or bad sectors, can cause data loss or corruption.
  5. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system, such as due to improper shutdowns or power outages, can affect ".ITEMDATA-MS" files and make them unreadable or lost.
  6. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, updating or upgrading software can result in compatibility issues, leading to the loss or failure of ".ITEMDATA-MS" files.
  7. Human error: Human mistakes, such as accidental formatting of storage devices, improper handling of files, or incorrect file manipulation, can cause ".ITEMDATA-MS" files to be lost.
  8. File system conversion: Converting file systems, such as from FAT32 to NTFS, can sometimes result in data loss or corruption, including ".ITEMDATA-MS" files.

It is important to regularly back up important files, including ".ITEMDATA-MS" files, to prevent permanent loss in case of any of these causes.

How to recover lost ".ITEMDATA-MS" 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS" 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".ITEMDATA-MS" 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS" 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS" 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows 8 Start Screen Item Data File image file file?

Programs that open ".ITEMDATA-MS" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows 8 Start Screen Item Data File

  • File extension: .ITEMDATA-MS

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: Binary

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  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:16 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .ITEMDATA-MS 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 ".ITEMDATA-MS repair" and how does it work?

    ".ITEMDATA-MS repair" refers to a method used to fix issues related to the .ITEMDATA-MS file in Windows operating systems. The .ITEMDATA-MS file is a hidden system file that stores metadata information about shortcuts and icons on the desktop and in the Start menu.

    When this file gets corrupted or damaged, it can lead to problems such as missing icons, broken shortcuts, or incorrect display of icons. To resolve these issues, the .ITEMDATA-MS repair process involves deleting the corrupted .ITEMDATA-MS file, which will be automatically regenerated by Windows with the correct data.

    Here are the steps to perform a .ITEMDATA-MS repair:

    1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
    2. Navigate to the following location: C:UsersAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer.
    3. Make sure to enable the option to show hidden files and folders in the View tab of the File Explorer.
    4. Locate the .ITEMDATA-MS file and delete it.
    5. Restart your computer.

    Upon restarting, Windows will recreate the .ITEMDATA-MS file with the default and correct information. This process can help resolve issues related to missing icons or broken shortcuts on the desktop or Start menu.

    It is important to note that modifying system files can have unintended consequences, so it is recommended to create a backup of important data and exercise caution while performing any system repairs.

  • What are some common issues that can be resolved using ".ITEMDATA-MS repair"?

    There is no specific information available about ".ITEMDATA-MS repair" as it does not seem to be a widely known or recognized term or command. It is possible that you may be referring to a specific tool or method used in a particular software or system, but without further context, it is difficult to provide specific examples of issues that can be resolved using it.

    If you can provide more details or clarify the context in which you encountered ".ITEMDATA-MS repair," I would be happy to assist you further.

  • Are there any alternative methods or tools available for repairing ".ITEMDATA-MS" files?

    There are no specific alternative methods or tools available for repairing ".ITEMDATA-MS" files, as they are proprietary files used by Windows operating systems. However, there are general file repair tools and methods that you can try:

    1. Use System File Checker (SFC): Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command "sfc /scannow" to scan and repair system files.
    2. Run Check Disk (CHKDSK): Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command "chkdsk /f" to scan and repair file system errors.
    3. Restore from a backup: If you have a backup of the ".ITEMDATA-MS" file, you can restore it to replace the corrupted file.
    4. Use file recovery software: There are various file recovery tools available that can help recover and repair corrupted files. Some popular options include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Stellar Data Recovery.
    5. Contact Microsoft Support: If the above methods do not work, you can reach out to Microsoft Support for assistance. They may have specialized tools or methods to repair ".ITEMDATA-MS" files.

    Remember to always create backups of important files to prevent data loss and minimize the need for file repair.

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