How to Recover .SAM Files from Formatted USB 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 .SAM file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .SAM Files from Formatted USB Drives
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .SAM file?

Sample of the LMHOSTS setting file used by Microsoft Windows; contains mappings of IP addresses to NetBIOS names of remote servers a computer will communicate with over TCP/IP;

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

There are several common causes of ".SAM" files loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".SAM" files while managing their system files, leading to their loss.
  2. Virus or malware attack: Viruses or malware can infect the system and corrupt or delete the ".SAM" files, resulting in failure.
  3. System crash: A sudden system crash or power failure can cause the ".SAM" files to become corrupted or lost.
  4. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software or hardware components can lead to the corruption or loss of ".SAM" files.
  5. Operating system upgrade or reinstallation: During the process of upgrading or reinstalling the operating system, the ".SAM" files may be unintentionally deleted or overwritten.
  6. Disk errors: Physical errors or bad sectors on the hard disk can cause the ".SAM" files to become inaccessible or corrupted.
  7. Human error: Human errors, such as improper system configuration or accidental formatting of the disk, can result in the loss or failure of ".SAM" files.

It is important to regularly back up the ".SAM" files to prevent data loss and ensure system stability.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo lMHOSTS Sample File image file file?

Programs that open ".SAM" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows 7
Any <a href=text editor"> Any text editor

Additional Information

  • File type: LMHOSTS Sample File

  • File extension: .SAM

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Text Files

  • Format: Text

  • File types that use the extension .SAM:

    • LMHOSTS Sample File

    • MOD Edit Sample File

    • Samurize Package

    • Ami Pro Document

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:46 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .SAM 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

  • How can I create a .SAM backup file for my system?

    To create a .SAM backup file for your system, you can follow these steps:

    1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, press Windows Key + X, then select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
    2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

    ```

    reg save HKLMSAM C:pathtobackupsam_backup.sam

    ```

    Replace "C:pathtobackupsam_backup.sam" with the desired location and name for your backup file.

    The command will save a copy of the SAM registry hive to the specified location. The SAM file contains user account information and passwords.

    Note: Creating a backup of the SAM file is useful for system recovery purposes, but it's important to keep the backup file secure as it contains sensitive information.

    Remember to always exercise caution when working with system files and the registry.

  • What is the purpose of a .SAM backup file and how can it be used in system recovery?

    A .SAM backup file is a Windows Registry hive file that contains user account information, including password hashes, in Windows operating systems. The purpose of this backup file is to provide a way to recover user account data in case the original SAM (Security Accounts Manager) database becomes corrupted or inaccessible.

    In system recovery, the .SAM backup file can be used to restore the user account information, allowing users to regain access to their accounts and associated resources. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the original SAM database is damaged or deleted, preventing users from logging in to their accounts.

    To use the .SAM backup file in system recovery, one needs to replace the corrupted or missing SAM database with the backup file. This can be done by booting the system using a recovery environment or a bootable media, accessing the system's file system, and replacing the SAM file with the backup file. After the replacement, the system can be restarted, and users should be able to log in using their original credentials.

    It's important to note that modifying system files, including the SAM database, should be done with caution and preferably by experienced users or professionals, as improper handling can lead to further issues or security vulnerabilities.

  • Are there any specific tools or software that can be used to restore data from a .SAM backup file?

    Yes, there are several tools and software that can be used to restore data from a .SAM backup file. Some popular options include:

    1. SAMInside: SAMInside is a popular password recovery tool that can also be used to restore data from a .SAM backup file. It can extract user account information, including usernames and password hashes, from the backup file.
    2. Cain and Abel: Cain and Abel is a versatile password recovery tool that can also be used to restore data from a .SAM backup file. It can extract user account information, including usernames and password hashes, from the backup file.
    3. Elcomsoft System Recovery: Elcomsoft System Recovery is a comprehensive tool that can restore data from a .SAM backup file, including user account information and password hashes. It also offers advanced password recovery capabilities.
    4. L0phtCrack: L0phtCrack is a powerful password auditing and recovery tool that can also be used to restore data from a .SAM backup file. It can extract user account information, including usernames and password hashes, from the backup file.

    It is important to note that these tools should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as recovering data from a backup file for which you have proper authorization.
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