.META File Recovery

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

META File Recovery

What is a .META file?

Metafile generated by RealPlayer, a video playback program; contains metadata that describes a specific video file; typically saved along with a corresponding video file that has been downloaded from the Internet.

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

There are several common causes of ".META" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".META" files while managing their files or folders, leading to their loss.
  2. File system corruption: File system corruption can occur due to various reasons like sudden power outages, hardware failures, or software bugs. This corruption can result in the loss or failure of ".META" files.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses or malware can infect and corrupt files on a computer, including ".META" files. These malicious programs can delete or modify the files, rendering them inaccessible or unusable.
  4. Software or application errors: Errors or bugs in software or applications that handle ".META" files can lead to their loss or failure. This can occur during file transfers, conversions, or when using specific features or functions.
  5. Operating system issues: Problems with the operating system can cause ".META" files to become lost or fail. This can happen due to system crashes, improper shutdowns, or conflicts with other software or hardware components.
  6. Hardware failures: Hardware failures, such as a faulty hard drive or memory issues, can result in the loss or corruption of ".META" files. Physical damage to storage devices can also lead to data loss.
  7. Human error: Human error, such as accidental formatting of a storage device, improper handling of files, or incorrect file operations, can cause ".META" files to be lost or fail.
  8. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, updating or upgrading software or applications can cause compatibility issues with existing ".META" files, leading to their loss or failure.
  9. Data transfer or synchronization issues: Problems during data transfer or synchronization between devices or platforms can result in the loss or corruption of ".META" files.

It is important to regularly backup ".META" files and maintain a reliable data recovery plan to minimize the impact of these common causes.

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

Use programs for recovering ".META" 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 ".META" 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.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

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 ".META" 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 ".META" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo realPlayer Metafile image file file?

Programs that open ".META" files

Windows
RealNetworks RealPlayer Cloud RealNetworks RealPlayer Cloud
Mac
RealNetworks RealPlayer Cloud RealNetworks RealPlayer Cloud

Additional Information

  • File type: RealPlayer Metafile

  • File extension: .META

  • Developer: RealNetworks

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: N/A

  • File types that use the extension .META:

    • RealPlayer Metafile

    • Exient Metadata File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:56 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .META 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 .META format in computer programming or data management?

    The .META format, also known as metadata format, is used in computer programming and data management to provide structured information about data or other resources. It serves the purpose of describing and organizing data, making it easier to understand, manage, and retrieve.

    The main purposes of the .META format include:

    1. Data Description: Metadata provides information about the characteristics, structure, and meaning of data. It describes attributes such as data type, size, format, and relationships between different data elements. This helps programmers and data analysts to understand the data and its context.
    2. Data Management: Metadata facilitates efficient data management by providing information about the source, location, and ownership of data. It helps in tracking data lineage, versioning, and ensuring data quality. Metadata can also define access controls and security policies for data resources.
    3. Data Integration: Metadata enables the integration of data from various sources by providing a common understanding of the data elements. It helps in mapping and transforming data between different systems, databases, or file formats. This is particularly useful in data integration projects or when working with heterogeneous data sources.
    4. Data Discovery and Search: Metadata allows for effective data discovery and search capabilities. It provides keywords, tags, or descriptions that can be used to classify and categorize data. This enables users to easily find relevant data resources based on their metadata attributes.
    5. System Interoperability: Metadata promotes interoperability between different software systems and components. By providing a standardized format for describing data and resources, it allows for seamless integration and communication between systems. This is crucial in complex software architectures or when exchanging data between different applications.

    Overall, the .META format plays a critical role in organizing, managing, and understanding data in computer programming and data management scenarios. It enhances data usability, promotes efficient data operations, and enables effective data integration and discovery.

  • Can you explain the structure and components of the .META format?

    The .META format is a file format used for metadata storage in Apache Hadoop's HBase, a distributed NoSQL database. It is responsible for keeping track of the regions and their locations in the HBase cluster. Here is an explanation of the structure and components of the .META format:

    Structure:

    The .META format consists of a set of rows, where each row represents a region in the HBase cluster. Each row contains multiple columns that store specific metadata about the region.

    Components:

    a. Row Key: The row key uniquely identifies each row in the .META table. It typically consists of the concatenation of the table name and the start key of the region.

    b. Columns: Each row in the .META table contains multiple columns to store different types of metadata. Some important columns are:

    - info:regioninfo - This column stores information about the region, including the region name, start key, end key, and region ID.

    - info:server - This column stores the server name where the region is currently hosted.

    - info:state - This column stores the state of the region, such as whether it is online, offline, or in transition.

    - info:regioninfo:splitA, info:regioninfo:splitB - These columns are used during region splitting to store information about the new split regions.

    - info:seqnumDuringOpen - This column stores the sequence number during region open, which is used for replication purposes.

    c. Timestamp: Each column in the .META table has a timestamp associated with it, indicating the time when the metadata was last updated.

    Usage:

    The .META table is used by HBase's master and region servers to locate and manage the regions in the cluster. It helps in tracking region locations, assigning regions to servers, handling region splits, and maintaining the overall cluster state.

    When a client wants to access data from a specific row, it queries the .META table to find the region hosting that row. The client then communicates directly with the respective region server to read or write the data.

    Overall, the .META format plays a crucial role in the functioning of HBase, providing the necessary metadata for efficient data storage and retrieval in a distributed environment.

  • How does the .META format contribute to efficient data retrieval and indexing in a database system?

    The .META format in a database system is a metadata format that contributes to efficient data retrieval and indexing in the following ways:

    1. Indexing: The .META format contains information about the structure and location of data in the database system. It includes metadata such as table names, column names, data types, and index information. This metadata is used to build indexes, which are data structures that allow for quick lookup and retrieval of data based on specific criteria. Indexing allows the database system to efficiently locate and access the required data, reducing the time and resources needed for retrieval.
    2. Query optimization: The metadata stored in the .META format is used by the database system's query optimizer. The query optimizer analyzes the structure of the query and the available metadata to determine the most efficient way to execute the query. It considers factors such as indexes, data distribution, and statistics to generate an optimized query plan. By leveraging the .META format, the query optimizer can make informed decisions about the most efficient data retrieval methods, leading to faster query execution.
    3. Data organization: The .META format helps in organizing the data within the database system. It provides information about the relationships between tables, primary and foreign keys, and other constraints. This information is used to enforce data integrity and maintain referential integrity. By organizing the data effectively, the .META format enables efficient retrieval of related data and reduces the need for expensive join operations.
    4. Data dictionary: The .META format serves as a data dictionary or catalog that stores information about the database schema. It contains details about tables, columns, constraints, and other database objects. This information is used by the database system to validate queries, enforce data integrity, and ensure consistency. By centralizing the metadata in the .META format, the database system can quickly retrieve and utilize the necessary information during data retrieval and indexing operations.

    Overall, the .META format plays a crucial role in efficient data retrieval and indexing by providing indexing capabilities, aiding query optimization, organizing data, and serving as a data dictionary. It enables the database system to optimize query execution, reduce data access time, and enhance overall performance.

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