How to Fix and Recover .NFO Files After System Malfunctions

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

How to Fix and Recover .NFO Files After System Malfunctions
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What is a .NFO file?

Data file used by Microsoft's System Information tool, a Windows software utility for gathering system information and for diagnosing problems; stores information gathered by the program.

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

There are several common causes for ".NFO" files to be lost or fail:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".NFO" files while organizing their files or performing cleanup activities.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or malware infections, can lead to the corruption or loss of ".NFO" files.
  3. Software or hardware failures: Problems with software or hardware components, such as crashes, power outages, or disk failures, can result in the loss of ".NFO" files.
  4. Incompatible software: If the software used to open or view ".NFO" files is not compatible with the file format or is outdated, it may fail to open or display the files correctly.
  5. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".NFO" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  6. File transfer errors: Errors during file transfers, such as interrupted downloads or incomplete transfers, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".NFO" files.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of a storage device or improper handling of files, can result in the loss of ".NFO" files.

It is important to regularly back up your files to prevent data loss and use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware attacks.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo system Information File image file file?

Programs that open ".NFO" files

Windows
Microsoft System Information Microsoft System Information

Additional Information

  • File type: System Information File

  • File extension: .NFO

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 28 63 29 20 46 6F 6C 69 6F 20 43 6F 72 70 6F 72 61 74 69 6F 6E 20 31 39 39 31 2D

  • ASCII: (c) Folio Corporation 1991-

  • File types that use the extension .NFO:

    • System Information File

    • Warez Information File

    • Age of Empires Player File

    • Folio Views Infobase File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:28 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .NFO 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 .NFO file and what is its purpose?

    A .NFO file is a text-based information file that typically accompanies software releases, especially those distributed on the internet. The purpose of an .NFO file is to provide relevant information about the release, such as details about the software, its features, installation instructions, system requirements, release notes, and sometimes even contact information for the release group or individual.

    .NFO files are often associated with the demoscene, a subculture focused on creating computer-based audiovisual presentations. They are also commonly found in the cracking and hacking communities, where they serve as a form of documentation or a way to provide proof of cracking achievements.

    .NFO files are usually viewed using dedicated text viewers or editors, as they often contain ASCII art, special formatting, or non-standard character sets that may not be properly displayed in standard text editors.

  • How can I open a .NFO file on my computer?

    To open a .NFO file on your computer, you can follow these steps:

    1. Right-click on the .NFO file you want to open.
    2. From the context menu, select "Open With" and then choose a text editor or viewer program. Some common options include Notepad, Notepad++, or WordPad.
    3. If the program you want to use isn't listed, click on "Choose another app" or "Choose default program" to select a different program from your computer.
    4. If you want to open .NFO files with a specific program every time, check the box that says "Always use this app to open .nfo files" before selecting the program.
    5. Once you have selected the program, click "OK" or "Open" to open the .NFO file.

    Note: .NFO files are typically text-based documents that contain information about software releases, system details, or other types of information. They are commonly associated with cracked software releases or ASCII art.

  • Are there any specific software or applications required to view the contents of a .NFO file?

    Yes, there are specific software or applications required to view the contents of a .NFO file. A .NFO file is a text-based information file that typically contains ASCII art and text-based information about software releases, cracking groups, or other related content. To view .NFO files, you can use the following software or applications:

    1. Notepad: The default text editor on Windows can open .NFO files, but the formatting and ASCII art may not be displayed correctly.
    2. NFO Viewer: This is a dedicated viewer for .NFO files that can display the ASCII art and text correctly. It is available for both Windows and Mac.
    3. DAMN NFO Viewer: Another popular .NFO viewer for Windows that supports different font styles, zooming, and text customization.
    4. NFOPad: A lightweight and fast .NFO viewer and text editor for Windows that supports Unicode and various font styles.
    5. iNFekt NFO Viewer: A cross-platform .NFO viewer for Windows, Linux, and Mac that supports ANSI, ASCII, and Unicode encodings.

    These applications are specifically designed to handle the formatting and ASCII art found in .NFO files, providing a better viewing experience compared to generic text editors.
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