How to Recover .RDB Files from External SSDs: A Step-by-Step Guide

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

How to Recover .RDB Files from External SSDs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .RDB file?

One of several files from a backup set created with Retrospect Backup software; contains exact data backed up from a hard drive and cataloged by the program; can be used to restore data that has been lost or corrupted on the original hard disk; file names are displayed incrementally as AA000000.RDB

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

There are several common causes of ".RDB" (Relational Database) files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".RDB" files while managing their data or cleaning up their system.
  2. Software or hardware malfunction: Software or hardware issues such as power outages, system crashes, or disk failures can lead to ".RDB" file corruption or loss.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious programs can infect and corrupt ".RDB" files, rendering them inaccessible or unusable.
  4. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as bad sectors on the storage device or file system corruption, can cause ".RDB" file loss or failure.
  5. Improper database management: Improper handling or management of the database, such as forceful termination of the database process or improper shutdown, can result in ".RDB" file corruption or loss.
  6. Human error: Human mistakes, such as accidental formatting of the storage device containing the ".RDB" files or overwriting the files with incorrect data, can lead to file loss.
  7. Migration or transfer issues: When transferring or migrating ".RDB" files between systems or databases, errors can occur, resulting in file loss or corruption.
  8. Software bugs or glitches: Software bugs or glitches in the database management system can cause ".RDB" file failures or data corruption.
  9. Physical damage to storage media: Physical damage to the storage media, such as a hard drive failure or damage to the external storage device, can lead to ".RDB" file loss.
  10. Unauthorized access or modification: If unauthorized users gain access to the database system and make changes or delete ".RDB" files, it can result in file loss or failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo retrospect Backup Set image file file?

Programs that open ".RDB" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Retrospect Backup Set

  • File extension: .RDB

  • Developer: EMC

  • Category: Backup Files

  • Format: N/A

  • File types that use the extension .RDB:

    • Retrospect Backup Set

    • Wavelet Video Images File

    • N64 ROM Database

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:27 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .RDB 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 causes of .RDB file corruption and the need for repair?

    There are several common causes of .RDB file corruption, leading to the need for repair:

    1. Software or system crashes: Sudden power outages, hardware failures, or software crashes can interrupt the writing or saving process of .RDB files, resulting in corruption.
    2. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage .RDB files, making them inaccessible or corrupt.
    3. Improper shutdown: If a database server or application is not shut down correctly, it can leave .RDB files in an inconsistent state, leading to corruption.
    4. Disk or storage media issues: Physical damage, bad sectors, or errors in the disk or storage media where the .RDB files are stored can cause corruption.
    5. Software bugs or glitches: Programming errors or software bugs in the database management system or related applications can lead to .RDB file corruption.
    6. File transfer errors: If .RDB files are transferred or copied improperly, such as interrupted downloads or incomplete transfers, it can result in corruption.
    7. Incompatible software or version mismatch: Using incompatible software versions or trying to open .RDB files with applications that do not support the file format can corrupt the files.

    The need for repair arises when .RDB files become corrupt, as it can lead to data loss, inaccessibility, or errors when trying to open or use the files. Repairing the files is necessary to restore their integrity and ensure the data can be accessed and used again.

  • What are the steps involved in repairing a corrupted .RDB file?

    Repairing a corrupted .RDB file typically involves the following steps:

    1. Identify the corruption: Determine if the .RDB file is indeed corrupted. This can be done by observing any error messages or unexpected behavior when trying to access or use the file.
    2. Create a backup: Before attempting any repairs, it is crucial to create a backup of the corrupted .RDB file. This ensures that even if the repair process goes wrong, you still have a copy of the original corrupted file.
    3. Use built-in repair tools: Many software applications or databases that use .RDB files have built-in repair tools. These tools can automatically detect and fix common corruption issues. Check the documentation or support resources of the software or database you are using to find out if such tools are available.
    4. Use third-party recovery software: If there are no built-in repair tools or if they fail to fix the corruption, you can try using third-party recovery software. There are various file recovery tools available online that specialize in repairing corrupted .RDB files. Research and choose a reliable tool that suits your needs.
    5. Follow the software instructions: Once you have selected a third-party recovery software, carefully follow the instructions provided by the software vendor. These instructions may vary depending on the specific software you choose.
    6. Repair or recover the .RDB file: Run the recovery software and select the corrupted .RDB file as the input. The software will then attempt to repair or recover the file based on its algorithms and capabilities. The process may take some time depending on the size and complexity of the corruption.
    7. Verify the repaired file: After the recovery process is complete, verify the repaired .RDB file to ensure it is functioning correctly. Open the file using the software or database it belongs to and check if all the data and functionality are intact.
    8. Replace the original file (optional): If the repaired .RDB file is verified to be working properly, you can replace the original corrupted file with the repaired version. However, it is recommended to keep a copy of the original corrupted file as well, in case any further issues arise.

    Note: It is always advisable to consult with experts or seek professional support if you are dealing with critical or sensitive data, as improper repair attempts can potentially lead to permanent data loss.

  • Are there any specialized software tools available for .RDB repair, and if so, what are some recommended options?

    Yes, there are specialized software tools available for repairing .RDB files. Some recommended options include:

    1. Stellar Phoenix Oracle Recovery: This tool is specifically designed to repair corrupt .RDB files and recover data from them. It can handle various corruption scenarios and supports Oracle databases.
    2. SysInfoTools Oracle Recovery: It is a reliable tool for repairing corrupt .RDB files. It can recover tables, views, indexes, and other database objects from corrupt .RDB files.
    3. DataNumen Oracle Recovery: This software can repair and recover data from corrupt .RDB files. It supports Oracle versions 5.0 to 21c and can handle various corruption issues.
    4. Kernel for Oracle Database Recovery: This tool can repair corrupt .RDB files and recover data from them. It supports Oracle versions 9i, 10g, 11g, 12c, and 18c.
    5. Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN): It is an Oracle-provided tool for backup and recovery operations. RMAN can be used to repair corrupt .RDB files and restore data from backups.

    It is important to note that the effectiveness of these tools may vary depending on the extent of corruption in the .RDB file. It is recommended to try the free trial versions of these tools before making a purchase to ensure they meet your requirements.
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