How to Recover .PFF Files from Formatted USB Sticks and Drives

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

How to Recover .PFF Files from Formatted USB Sticks and Drives

What is a .PFF file?

Electronic form file created by Formatta software; contains a formatted, published electronic form that can be filled out using Formatta Filler; used to distribute forms that can be validated while typing; can be encrypted for security purposes.

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

There are several common causes of ".PFF" (Personal Folder File) loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".PFF" file while managing their email folders, resulting in its loss.
  2. File system corruption: If the file system on which the ".PFF" file is stored gets corrupted due to hardware issues, software conflicts, or other reasons, it can lead to the loss or failure of the file.
  3. Virus or malware attack: A virus or malware infection can corrupt or delete the ".PFF" file, making it inaccessible.
  4. Power failure: Sudden power outages or improper system shutdowns while the ".PFF" file is in use can cause data corruption or loss.
  5. Software or hardware malfunction: Issues with the email client software or hardware components, such as the hard drive or storage device, can result in ".PFF" file failure.
  6. Upgrading or migrating email clients: When upgrading or migrating to a new email client, there is a chance of compatibility issues or errors that can lead to ".PFF" file loss or failure.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as improper handling of email files or accidental formatting of storage devices, can result in the loss of ".PFF" files.
  8. Disk errors: Physical errors on the storage device, such as bad sectors or disk failures, can cause ".PFF" file corruption or loss.

It is important to regularly back up ".PFF" files to prevent data loss and to use reliable data recovery tools or services in case of file failure or loss.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo formatta Portable Form File image file file?

Programs that open ".PFF" files

Windows
Access Formatta Filler Access Formatta Filler
Access Formatta Designer Access Formatta Designer

Additional Information

  • File type: Formatta Portable Form File

  • File extension: .PFF

  • Developer: Access

  • Category: Page Layout Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:51 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .PFF 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 .PFF format and what types of files does it typically contain?

    The .PFF (Personal Folder File) format is used by Microsoft Outlook to store and organize various data associated with an Outlook profile. It typically contains multiple types of files that make up a user's personal mailbox, including:

    1. Email Messages: The .PFF file stores emails, including the message content, sender and recipient information, attachments, and other metadata.
    2. Contacts: It contains contact information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other details.
    3. Calendar Items: The .PFF format includes calendar appointments, events, meetings, reminders, and other scheduling information.
    4. Tasks and To-Do Lists: It stores tasks, to-do lists, and associated details like due dates, priorities, and status.
    5. Notes: The .PFF file can also contain notes or memos created within Outlook.
    6. Journal Entries: It includes records of activities, such as emails sent, meetings attended, and other interactions.
    7. Folder Structure: The .PFF format maintains the structure of folders and subfolders within Outlook, allowing users to organize their data hierarchically.

    By using the .PFF format, Outlook ensures that all the user's data is stored in a single file, making it easier to manage, backup, and transfer Outlook profiles between different systems.

  • How does the .PFF format differ from other file formats commonly used for storing data?

    The .PFF format, also known as Personal Folder File, is a proprietary file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store email messages, calendar events, contacts, and other data. Here are some ways in which the .PFF format differs from other commonly used file formats for data storage:

    1. Purpose: The .PFF format is specifically designed for storing personal data within Microsoft Outlook, whereas other file formats like .CSV (Comma-Separated Values), .XLSX (Excel), .TXT (Plain Text), or .PDF (Portable Document Format) are more generic and can store various types of data.
    2. Structure: The .PFF format has a specific hierarchical structure that organizes data into folders, subfolders, and items. It includes metadata, properties, and attachments associated with each item. In contrast, other file formats may not have a predefined structure and can be more flexible in terms of data organization.
    3. Integration: The .PFF format is tightly integrated with Microsoft Outlook, which means it can directly access and manipulate the data stored within these files. Other file formats may require additional software or libraries to read and process the data effectively.
    4. Compatibility: The .PFF format is primarily used by Microsoft Outlook on Windows operating systems. While there are tools available to convert .PFF files to other formats, it may not be natively supported by other email clients or applications. In comparison, other file formats like .CSV, .XLSX, or .TXT are more widely supported and can be easily imported or exported by various software.
    5. Security: The .PFF format supports encryption and password protection to secure the data stored within the file. This feature is specifically useful for protecting sensitive email messages or personal information. Other file formats may or may not have built-in encryption capabilities, and security measures would need to be implemented separately.

    Overall, the .PFF format is optimized for storing and managing personal data within the Microsoft Outlook ecosystem, while other file formats offer more versatility and compatibility across different applications and platforms.

  • Are there any specific software applications or tools that are required to open or manipulate .PFF files?

    Yes, there are specific software applications and tools that can be used to open and manipulate .PFF files. The .PFF file format is primarily associated with Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders File. Here are some common tools and applications:

    1. Microsoft Outlook: The primary application for opening and working with .PFF files is Microsoft Outlook itself. Outlook enables you to access and manage emails, contacts, calendars, and other data stored in .PFF files.
    2. Microsoft Exchange Server: If you are using Microsoft Exchange Server, you can open and manipulate .PFF files directly through the server. Exchange Server allows you to manage email accounts, calendars, and other data stored in .PFF files.
    3. PFF File Viewer: There are third-party tools available that specifically allow you to view the content of .PFF files without requiring Outlook or Exchange Server. PFF File Viewer is one such tool that provides a standalone viewer for .PFF files.
    4. Aid4Mail: Aid4Mail is a software application that can open, convert, and export .PFF files. It supports various email formats, including .PST and .OST files, which are similar to .PFF files.
    5. Kernel Outlook PST Viewer: Kernel Outlook PST Viewer is another tool that can open and view .PFF files. It provides a user-friendly interface to browse and access the content of .PFF files.

    It's important to note that .PFF files are proprietary to Microsoft Outlook, so the compatibility and functionality of third-party tools may vary.

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