How to Retrieve Deleted .SWP Files After Drive Formatting

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

How to Retrieve Deleted .SWP Files After Drive Formatting
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What is a .SWP file?

Swap file created by the Vi text editor or one of its variants such as Vim (Vi iMproved) and gVim; stores the recovery version of a file that is being edited in the program; also serves as a lock file so that no other Vi editing session can concurrently write to the file.

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

There are several common causes of ".SWP" (swap) files lost or failure:

  1. System crashes: If your computer experiences a sudden crash or power failure, the swap file may become corrupted or lost.
  2. Disk errors: If there are errors on your hard drive or storage device where the swap file is located, it can lead to the loss or failure of the ".SWP" file.
  3. Insufficient disk space: If your computer runs out of disk space, it may not be able to create or maintain the swap file properly, resulting in its failure or loss.
  4. Malware or viruses: Malicious software or viruses can corrupt or delete system files, including the swap file.
  5. Improper shutdown: If you shut down your computer improperly, such as by turning off the power directly or force quitting applications, it can lead to problems with the swap file.
  6. Software conflicts: In some cases, conflicts between different software programs or drivers can cause issues with the swap file, leading to its failure or loss.
  7. Hardware issues: Problems with your computer's hardware, such as faulty RAM or a failing hard drive, can also result in the loss or failure of the swap file.

It is important to note that losing or experiencing failure with the swap file can cause system instability, slow performance, or even crashes.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo vi Swap File image file file?

Programs that open ".SWP" files

Windows
gVim gVim
Mac
MacVim MacVim
Vim Vim
Linux
Vim Vim

Additional Information

  • File type: Vi Swap File

  • File extension: .SWP

  • Developer: Bill Joy

  • Category: Misc Files

  • Format: Binary

  • File types that use the extension .SWP:

    • Vi Swap File

    • Swap File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:40 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .SWP 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 .SWP files and how can they be resolved?

    There can be several reasons for encountering problems when opening .SWP files, and they can be resolved using the following steps:

    1. Incompatible Software: If you are trying to open a .SWP file with software that does not support this file format, you may encounter problems. Ensure that you have the appropriate software installed, such as Scientific Workplace, Scientific Word, or Scientific Notebook, which are commonly used for opening .SWP files.
    2. File Corruption: If the .SWP file is corrupted, it may cause issues while opening. Try opening a backup copy of the file or use file repair tools specific to the software you are using to fix any corruption issues.
    3. Outdated Software Version: If you are using an outdated version of the software, it may not be compatible with the .SWP file you are trying to open. Update your software to the latest version available, as newer versions often have better compatibility with different file formats.
    4. Incorrect File Association: Sometimes, the file association for .SWP files may be incorrect, leading to problems while opening them. To resolve this, right-click on the .SWP file, select "Open With," and choose the appropriate software from the list. You can also set the chosen software as the default program for opening .SWP files.
    5. Insufficient System Resources: Opening large .SWP files or running multiple resource-intensive programs simultaneously can lead to problems. Ensure that your system has enough memory (RAM) and processing power to handle the file. Close unnecessary programs and try opening the .SWP file again.
    6. Operating System Compatibility: In some cases, the operating system may not be compatible with the .SWP file or the software used to open it. Check the system requirements of the software and ensure that your operating system meets them.
    7. File Conversion: If you are unable to open the .SWP file using the appropriate software, you can try converting it to a different file format, such as .PDF or .DOC. Open the .SWP file in the software and use the "Save As" option to save it in a different format that can be opened without issues.

    If none of these steps resolve the problem, it is recommended to contact the software's support team for further assistance.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can be used to fix issues with opening .SWP files?

    Yes, there are specific software and tools that can be used to fix issues with opening .SWP files. Some of them include:

    1. Scientific WorkPlace: This is the primary software used to create and open .SWP files. It provides a complete document editing environment for scientific and technical documents.
    2. LaTeX: .SWP files are often created using LaTeX, a typesetting system widely used for scientific and technical documents. By installing a LaTeX distribution like MiKTeX or TeX Live, you can open and edit .SWP files.
    3. SWP Converter: This is a third-party tool that allows you to convert .SWP files to other formats like PDF, DOC, or HTML. It can be useful if you are unable to open the .SWP file directly.
    4. Online file conversion services: There are various online tools available that allow you to convert .SWP files to different formats. Simply upload the .SWP file to one of these services, and it will convert it to a more accessible format that can be opened using common software.

    It's important to note that .SWP files are proprietary to Scientific WorkPlace, so it's recommended to use the software itself or a compatible tool for the best results.

  • What steps can be taken if a .SWP file fails to open or displays errors, such as missing dependencies or incompatible software versions?

    If a .SWP file fails to open or displays errors, such as missing dependencies or incompatible software versions, you can take the following steps to troubleshoot the issue:

    1. Update Software: Ensure that you have the latest version of the software that is compatible with the .SWP file. Check the software's official website or contact their support to download and install any available updates.
    2. Check File Compatibility: Verify that the .SWP file is compatible with the software you are using. Different versions of software may have different file formats or extensions. Make sure the file you have matches the requirements of the software.
    3. Install Dependencies: If the error mentions missing dependencies, you may need to install additional software or libraries required to open the .SWP file. Check the software's documentation or support resources to identify and install any necessary dependencies.
    4. Use File Repair Tools: There are various file repair tools available online that can fix corrupted or damaged files. Search for a reliable and reputable file repair tool specific to the software you are using and try repairing the .SWP file using that tool.
    5. Convert File Format: If the .SWP file is not compatible with your software, try converting it to a different format that your software supports. Look for file conversion tools or online services that can convert the .SWP file to a compatible format.
    6. Contact Support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact the software's support team or community forums for further assistance. Provide them with detailed information about the error message, software version, and any other relevant details to help them diagnose and resolve the problem.

    It's important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on the software you are using and the nature of the error encountered.
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