Simple Solutions for Recovering .PAD Files After System Failures

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 .PAD file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

Simple Solutions for Recovering .PAD Files After System Failures
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .PAD file?

Shortcut file used by the ACT! customer relationship management (CRM) software; contains a pointer to the actual ACT! database files, which are stored in .ADF and .ALF files; often used as a desktop shortcut for opening the database.

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

There are several common causes of ".PAD" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".PAD" file while organizing or cleaning up their computer system.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with software or hardware components can lead to the loss or corruption of ".PAD" files. This could include issues such as system crashes, power failures, or software conflicts.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage files on a computer, including ".PAD" files. Viruses or malware can corrupt or delete files, making them inaccessible.
  4. File system errors: File system errors, such as disk errors or bad sectors on a hard drive, can cause ".PAD" files to become lost or unreadable.
  5. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or improper handling of files, can result in the loss of ".PAD" files.
  6. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, when updating or upgrading software, the existing ".PAD" files may not be compatible with the new version, leading to file loss or failure.
  7. Storage media failure: Physical damage or failure of the storage media where ".PAD" files are stored, such as hard drives, USB drives, or memory cards, can result in the loss of data, including ".PAD" files.

It is important to regularly back up ".PAD" files and maintain a reliable data backup strategy to minimize the risk of data loss.

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

Use programs for recovering ".PAD" 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 ".PAD" 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™ 5.0
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 ".PAD" 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 ".PAD" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo aCT! Database Pointer File image file file?

Programs that open ".PAD" files

Windows
Swiftpage Act! Swiftpage Act!

Additional Information

  • File type: ACT! Database Pointer File

  • File extension: .PAD

  • Developer: The Sage Group

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: N/A

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:20 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .PAD 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 are the common reasons for encountering problems when opening .PAD files?

    There can be several reasons why you might encounter problems when opening .PAD files. Some common reasons include:

    1. Incompatible software: If you are trying to open a .PAD file with software that does not support this file format, you may encounter errors or the file may not open correctly.
    2. File corruption: If the .PAD file is corrupted or damaged, it may not open properly. This can happen due to various reasons such as incomplete downloads, file transfer errors, or storage issues.
    3. Incorrect file association: If the .PAD file is not associated with the appropriate program, your operating system may not know how to open it. This can happen if the file association settings have been changed or if the required software is not installed.
    4. Outdated software: If you are using an outdated version of the software required to open .PAD files, it may not be compatible with the file format. Updating the software to the latest version may resolve the issue.
    5. File format errors: If the .PAD file does not adhere to the specifications of the file format, it may cause problems when opening. This can occur if the file was created or saved incorrectly.
    6. Insufficient system resources: If your computer does not have enough memory or processing power to handle the .PAD file, it may result in errors or the file may not open properly.
    7. File permissions: If you do not have the necessary permissions to access or open the .PAD file, you may encounter problems. This can happen if the file is located in a restricted folder or if your user account does not have the required privileges.
    8. Virus or malware infection: If the .PAD file is infected with a virus or malware, it may cause issues when opening. Antivirus software can help detect and remove such threats.

    It is always recommended to ensure that you have the appropriate software, the file is not corrupted, and your system meets the necessary requirements to open .PAD files.

  • What are some troubleshooting steps to fix issues with opening .PAD files?
    1. Check for file corruption: Sometimes, the .PAD file may be corrupted or damaged. Try downloading the file again from a reliable source to ensure it is not corrupted.
    2. Update the software: Ensure that you have the latest version of the software associated with the .PAD file. Outdated software may not be compatible with the file format, causing issues with opening it. Visit the software developer's website and download the latest version.
    3. Verify file association: Make sure that the .PAD file is associated with the correct software. Right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose the appropriate program. If the desired software is not listed, click "Browse" and locate the executable file of the software.
    4. Use a different software: If the above steps don't work, try opening the .PAD file with a different software that supports the file format. There could be compatibility issues with the current software, and an alternative program might be able to open it successfully.
    5. Check for conflicting applications: Sometimes, other applications or processes may interfere with opening .PAD files. Close any unnecessary applications running in the background and try opening the file again.
    6. Scan for malware: Malware or viruses on your system can cause issues with file opening. Run a full system scan using reliable antivirus software to ensure your system is clean.
    7. Contact the software developer: If none of the above steps work, reach out to the software developer or support team for assistance. They may be able to provide specific troubleshooting steps or solutions for opening .PAD files in their software.

    Remember to always exercise caution when downloading and opening files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they may contain malicious content.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help resolve problems with opening .PAD files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools that can help resolve problems with opening .PAD files. Some of them include:

    1. Notepad++: It is a free source code editor that supports various file formats, including .PAD files. It provides syntax highlighting and other useful features for editing and viewing the contents of .PAD files.
    2. XML editors: Since .PAD files are typically in XML format, XML editors like XML Notepad, Oxygen XML Editor, or Altova XMLSpy can be used to open and edit .PAD files. These editors provide a user-friendly interface for working with XML files and can help identify and resolve any issues within the file.
    3. PADGen: It is a specialized software designed to create and modify .PAD files. PADGen allows you to easily create, validate, and update .PAD files according to the specifications provided by the Association of Software Professionals (ASP). It can also help identify and fix any errors or inconsistencies in the .PAD file.
    4. Text editors: Basic text editors like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) can also be used to open .PAD files. However, these editors do not provide any specialized features for XML formatting or validation, so they may not be as helpful in resolving issues within the file.

    It's important to note that the availability and suitability of these tools may vary depending on your operating system and specific requirements.
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