Can You Get .SAV Files Back After Formatting a Hard Drive with No Backup?

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

Can You Get .SAV Files Back After Formatting a Hard Drive with No Backup?

What is a .SAV file?

A SAV file is a saved game used by Nintendo DS portable game system emulators such as DeSmuME and NO$GBA. It stores the state of the current game progress and includes game information such as the character name, experience points, completed levels, and in-game resources.

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

There can be several common causes for ".SAV" files being lost or experiencing failure. Some of these causes include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may unintentionally delete ".SAV" files while organizing or cleaning up their files and folders.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Issues with the software or hardware on the computer or storage device can lead to ".SAV" file loss or failure. This can include system crashes, power outages, or disk errors.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can corrupt or delete ".SAV" files, making them inaccessible or unusable.
  4. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system can cause ".SAV" files to become lost or corrupted, making them unreadable.
  5. Improper file handling: Improper handling of ".SAV" files, such as forceful termination of applications, abrupt removal of external storage devices, or improper shutdown of the system, can result in file loss or failure.
  6. Software conflicts: Incompatible or conflicting software applications can interfere with ".SAV" files, leading to their loss or failure.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or overwriting ".SAV" files with incorrect data, can cause file loss or failure.
  8. Physical damage to storage devices: Physical damage to storage devices, such as hard drives or memory cards, can result in the loss or failure of ".SAV" files.

It is important to regularly back up ".SAV" files and take preventive measures, such as using reliable antivirus software, to minimize the risk of file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".SAV" 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 ".SAV" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 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 ".SAV" file is always to create it once more.

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

Looking for how to open a stereo nintendo DS Save File image file file?

Programs that open ".SAV" files

Windows
NO$GBA NO$GBA
iDeaS Emulator iDeaS Emulator
DeSmuME DeSmuME
Mac
DeSmuME DeSmuME
Linux
DeSmuME DeSmuME

Additional Information

  • File type: Nintendo DS Save File

  • File extension: .SAV

  • Developer: Nintendo

  • Category: Game Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: text/plain

  • HEX: 4E 6F 63 61 73 68 47 62 61 42 61 63 6B 75 70 4D 65 64 69 61 53 61 76 44 61 74 61 46 69 6C 65 1A

  • ASCII: NocashGbaBackupMediaSavDataFile

  • File types that use the extension .SAV:

    • Nintendo DS Save File

    • Saved Game

    • Fortnite ClientSettings File

    • Fallout 2 Map Archive

    • SPSS Data File

    • Parallels Desktop Saved State Image File

    • Mass Effect 3 Saved Game

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 14:49 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .SAV files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What is the purpose of .SAV file formats and what types of data do they typically store?

    The .SAV file format is primarily associated with statistical software packages such as SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The purpose of .SAV files is to store and manage data used for statistical analysis.

    .SAV files typically store structured data in a tabular format, consisting of rows and columns. They can contain various types of data, including numerical values, categorical variables, dates, and text. These files are commonly used for research studies, surveys, and data analysis in fields such as social sciences, psychology, economics, and epidemiology.

    In addition to data, .SAV files may also store metadata, which includes information about variable labels, value labels, variable types, and other attributes. This metadata helps in organizing and interpreting the data during statistical analysis.

  • How can one open and manipulate .SAV files, and what software or tools are commonly used for this purpose?

    .SAV files are typically associated with saved game files, but they can also be used for various other purposes. To open and manipulate .SAV files, you can use the following methods and software/tools:

    1. Game-specific Editors: Many games provide their own editors or tools to open and modify .SAV files. These editors are specifically designed to work with the game's saved game files and provide a user-friendly interface to make changes.
    2. Hex Editors: .SAV files can be opened and manipulated using hex editors, which allow you to directly view and edit the binary data of a file. Popular hex editors include HxD, Hex Fiend, and Hex Workshop.
    3. Emulators: If the .SAV file is related to a game console, you can use emulators to open and manipulate the file. Emulators allow you to run console games on your computer, and they often provide options to load and modify saved game files.
    4. Save File Converters: In some cases, you might need to convert the .SAV file to a different format to open and manipulate it. Save file converters can help you convert .SAV files to formats compatible with specific software. Popular converters include SaveGame Manager and Save Converter.
    5. Third-Party Software: There are various third-party software applications available that can open and manipulate .SAV files. These tools are often developed by the community and may vary depending on the purpose of the .SAV file. Searching for specific software related to the .SAV file's purpose can yield results.

    It's important to note that manipulating .SAV files can sometimes be associated with cheating or unauthorized modifications in games. Always ensure you have the necessary permissions and follow the terms of service or guidelines provided by the game or software's developers.

  • Are .SAV formats standardized across different software applications, or do they vary depending on the specific program or system they are associated with?

    The .SAV file format is not standardized across different software applications. It can vary depending on the specific program or system it is associated with. The .SAV extension is used by various applications for different purposes, such as saved game files, data files, or statistical analysis files. Each software application may have its own unique structure and format for .SAV files, making them incompatible with other programs.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat