How to Recover .QTCH Files from Formatted Hard Drives on Windows and Mac

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

How to Recover .QTCH Files from Formatted Hard Drives on Windows and Mac

What is a .QTCH file?

(Cache|cache file created by QuickTime, a media player for Mac and Windows; saves the cache of an audio or video file downloaded or streamed from the Internet; can be opened in QuickTime Player by changing the file extension to match the original file (e.g., .MP3, .MPEG, .MOV), but only if the file was created by QuickTime 6.5 or earlier.

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

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

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".QTCH" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. System crash: A system crash or unexpected power outage can result in the loss of ".QTCH" files if they were not properly saved or backed up.
  3. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system can lead to the loss or failure of ".QTCH" files, making them inaccessible or unreadable.
  4. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect and damage ".QTCH" files, rendering them unusable or causing them to be deleted.
  5. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software applications or hardware components can lead to the loss or failure of ".QTCH" files. This can include software bugs, compatibility issues, or hardware malfunctions.
  6. Disk errors: Errors on the storage device, such as bad sectors or disk failure, can result in the loss or corruption of ".QTCH" files.
  7. Improper file transfer: If ".QTCH" files are not transferred correctly or interrupted during the process, they may become lost or corrupted.
  8. Formatting or partitioning: Formatting or partitioning a storage device without proper backup can result in the loss of all data, including ".QTCH" files.
  9. User error: Human error, such as accidental formatting, improper handling of files, or incorrect file manipulation, can lead to the loss or failure of ".QTCH" files.

It is essential to regularly back up important files, including ".QTCH" files, to prevent data loss in case of any failure or accidental deletion.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo quickTime Cache File image file file?

Programs that open ".QTCH" files

Windows
Apple QuickTime Player Apple QuickTime Player
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player Apple QuickTime Player

Additional Information

  • File type: QuickTime Cache File

  • File extension: .QTCH

  • Developer: Apple

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: Binary

  • HEX: 00 00 00 50 71 74 63 68 00

  • ASCII: Pqtch

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:02 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .QTCH 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 ".QTCH" file format?

    The ".QTCH" file format is used by Apple's QuickTime software to store cached movie information. When a QuickTime movie is played, the software creates a cache file (.QTCH) to store information about the movie, such as frames, audio, and other data. This cache file allows for faster playback and smoother performance when the movie is played again in the future. The purpose of the .QTCH file format is to improve the overall user experience by reducing loading times and optimizing playback of QuickTime movies.

  • How can I convert a video file to the ".QTCH" format?

    To convert a video file to the ".QTCH" format, you can use QuickTime Pro, which is a paid software available for both Windows and macOS. Here's a step-by-step guide:

    1. Install QuickTime Pro: Visit the Apple website or any authorized software retailer to purchase and download QuickTime Pro. Follow the installation instructions to install it on your computer.
    2. Open QuickTime Pro: Launch QuickTime Pro on your computer.
    3. Import the video file: Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "Open File" or simply drag and drop the video file into the QuickTime Pro window.
    4. Choose export settings: Once the video file is opened in QuickTime Pro, click on "File" again and select "Export" or "Export As." Choose the ".QTCH" format from the export options.
    5. Configure export settings: In the export settings window, you can adjust various options such as video codec, audio codec, resolution, quality, etc., based on your preferences.
    6. Select destination and save: Choose the destination folder where you want to save the converted file. Provide a name for the file and click "Save" or "Export" to initiate the conversion process.
    7. Wait for the conversion: QuickTime Pro will start converting the video file to the ".QTCH" format. The time required for the conversion depends on the size and complexity of the video file.
    8. Verify the conversion: Once the conversion is complete, navigate to the destination folder and verify if the file has been converted to the ".QTCH" format successfully.

    Note: QuickTime Pro is a legacy software, and Apple has discontinued its development. Therefore, it may not be fully compatible with the latest macOS versions. In such cases, you may need to explore alternative software or online converters that support the ".QTCH" format.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues associated with using ".QTCH" formats?

    Yes, there are limitations and compatibility issues associated with using ".QTCH" formats.

    Firstly, ".QTCH" is a proprietary file format used by Apple's QuickTime software. This means that it may not be compatible with all media players or operating systems. QuickTime is primarily designed for use on Apple devices and may not work seamlessly on other platforms such as Windows or Android.

    Secondly, QuickTime has been largely deprecated and is no longer actively supported or updated by Apple. This means that using ".QTCH" files may lead to compatibility issues with newer software versions or operating systems. Some media players or applications may not recognize or be able to play these files.

    Lastly, ".QTCH" files may have limitations in terms of the codecs or features supported. QuickTime supports various codecs, but if a specific codec used in the ".QTCH" file is not available on the system or media player, it may result in playback issues or require additional software installations.

    Therefore, it is important to consider these limitations and compatibility issues when using ".QTCH" formats and ensure that the necessary software and codecs are available for proper playback.

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