How to Retrieve .STA Files from Formatted Drives with Advanced Software

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

How to Retrieve .STA Files from Formatted Drives with Advanced Software

What is a .STA file?

File created by a MAME arcade video game emulation program; contains a "frozen" state of the emulated arcade machine at a particular time during gameplay; used for saving and loading games.

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

There can be several common causes for ".STA" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".STA" files while cleaning up their system or mistakenly selecting the wrong files for deletion.
  2. File system corruption: File system corruption can occur due to various reasons such as sudden power outages, system crashes, or improper shutdowns. This corruption can lead to the loss or failure of ".STA" files.
  3. Virus or malware infection: If a computer is infected with a virus or malware, it can corrupt or delete ".STA" files, resulting in their loss or failure.
  4. Software or hardware issues: Issues with software or hardware components of a computer system can cause ".STA" files to become inaccessible or corrupted. This can include problems with the operating system, disk errors, or faulty hardware components.
  5. Improper file transfer or storage: If ".STA" files are not transferred or stored correctly, such as interrupted downloads, incomplete file transfers, or using unreliable storage media, it can lead to their loss or failure.
  6. Software conflicts: Sometimes, conflicts between different software applications or outdated software versions can cause issues with ".STA" files, resulting in their loss or failure.
  7. Human error: Human error, such as accidentally formatting a storage device containing ".STA" files or overwriting them with incorrect data, can also cause the loss or failure of these files.

It is always recommended to regularly backup important files, including ".STA" files, to prevent loss or failure in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo mAME Saved State File image file file?

Programs that open ".STA" files

Windows
MAME MAME
ExtraMAME ExtraMAME
Mac
MacMAME MacMAME
MAME OS X MAME OS X

Additional Information

  • File type: MAME Saved State File

  • File extension: .STA

  • Developer: The MAME Team

  • Category: Game Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/octet-stream

  • HEX: 4D 41 4D 45 53 41 56 45

  • ASCII: MAMESAVE

  • File types that use the extension .STA:

    • MAME Saved State File

    • Adobe Photoshop Match Color Image Statistics File

    • ABAQUS Status File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:53 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .STA 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 some common reasons for encountering problems when opening a .STA file?

    There can be several reasons for encountering problems when opening a .STA file. Some common reasons include:

    1. Incompatible software: The .STA file may be associated with a specific software application that is not installed on your computer. In such cases, you won't be able to open the file without the required software.
    2. File corruption: The .STA file may be corrupted or damaged, which can occur due to various reasons such as incomplete downloads, file transfer errors, or storage device issues. Corrupted files often fail to open or may cause errors when attempting to open them.
    3. Incorrect file extension: It's possible that the file extension has been changed or renamed incorrectly. If the actual file format doesn't match the .STA extension, your computer won't recognize it as a valid file and may have trouble opening it.
    4. Outdated software: If you have the necessary software to open .STA files, it might be an older version that is not compatible with the file format. In such cases, updating the software to the latest version may resolve the issue.
    5. Missing codecs: If the .STA file contains audio or video content, you may encounter problems if the required codecs are missing from your system. Codecs are software components that encode or decode multimedia files, and without them, your media player may fail to play the file properly.
    6. Insufficient system resources: Opening a large or complex .STA file may require significant system resources such as memory or processing power. If your system lacks the necessary resources, it may struggle to open the file or freeze/crash during the process.
    7. File compatibility: .STA files may be created by specific software versions or platforms that are not compatible with your current system. This can occur when trying to open files created on different operating systems or software versions.

    If you encounter problems when opening a .STA file, it's recommended to check for these common issues and try appropriate solutions such as installing the required software, repairing/recovering the file, updating software, or verifying file compatibility.

  • Are there any specific troubleshooting steps or techniques that can be used to fix issues with opening .STA files?

    Yes, there are several troubleshooting steps and techniques that can be used to fix issues with opening .STA files:

    1. Update the software: Ensure that you have the latest version of the software associated with .STA files. Check for updates and install them if available. Sometimes, outdated software can cause compatibility issues with certain file formats.
    2. Check file association: Verify that the .STA file is associated with the correct program. Right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose the appropriate software from the list. If the desired program is not listed, click "Browse" and navigate to the executable file of the software.
    3. Try different software: If the default program fails to open the .STA file, try opening it with a different software that supports the file format. Research and download software that is specifically designed to open .STA files.
    4. Scan for malware: Run a thorough scan of your system using reliable antivirus software. Sometimes, malware or viruses can corrupt file associations and prevent files from opening correctly.
    5. Repair or reinstall the software: If the software associated with .STA files is not functioning properly, try repairing or reinstalling it. Go to the Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac) and locate the software. Select it, and choose the option to repair or uninstall/reinstall.
    6. Convert the file format: If none of the above steps work, consider converting the .STA file to a more widely supported format, such as .PDF or .DOC. Online file conversion tools or dedicated file conversion software can be used for this purpose.
    7. Contact the software developer: If the issue persists, reach out to the software developer's support team. They may have specific troubleshooting steps or updates available to resolve the problem.

    Remember to always exercise caution when downloading or opening files from unknown sources, as they may contain malicious content.

  • Are there any alternative file formats or software programs that can be used to open .STA files if the problem persists?

    There might be alternative file formats or software programs that can be used to open .STA files if the problem persists. However, without specific information about the content and purpose of the .STA file, it is challenging to provide a definitive answer. Here are a few general suggestions:

    1. File Conversion: Try converting the .STA file to a more common format like .TXT, .CSV, or .XLS using a file conversion tool or online converter. Once converted, you can open the file with various software programs.
    2. Text Editors: Use a text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) to open the .STA file. Text editors can handle various file formats and may be able to display the content in a readable format.
    3. Statistical Software: If the .STA file contains statistical data, try opening it with statistical software like SPSS, SAS, or R. These programs are designed to handle data analysis and may have the capability to read .STA files.
    4. Contact the Source: If the .STA file is associated with a specific software program or device, consider reaching out to the software developer or device manufacturer for support. They might be able to provide guidance on how to open or convert the file.

    Remember, the availability of alternative file formats or software programs depends on the nature of the .STA file and the software used to create it.

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