.VDF File Recovery

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

VDF File Recovery
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .VDF file?

A VDF file is a data file format used by Valve's Source game engine. It contains various kinds of game metadata, including data for resources, installation scripts, configuration scripts, and visualization elements.

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

There are several common causes of ".VDF" (Virus Definition File) loss or failure:

  1. Software or system crashes: Sudden crashes or system failures can lead to corrupted or lost ".VDF" files.
  2. Malware or virus attacks: Some malware or viruses specifically target antivirus software and may delete or corrupt ".VDF" files to disable antivirus protection.
  3. Incorrect updates: If the antivirus software fails to update properly or if there are issues with the update process, it can result in missing or damaged ".VDF" files.
  4. Human error: Accidentally deleting or moving ".VDF" files can cause them to be lost or become inaccessible.
  5. Disk errors: Physical or logical errors on the storage device where the ".VDF" files are stored can lead to file loss or corruption.
  6. Hardware failure: A malfunctioning hard drive or other hardware issues can result in the loss or corruption of ".VDF" files.
  7. Software conflicts: Incompatible software or conflicts between antivirus software and other programs can cause issues with ".VDF" files.
  8. File system errors: File system errors, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can cause ".VDF" files to become inaccessible or damaged.

It is important to regularly back up ".VDF" files and ensure proper antivirus software maintenance to minimize the risk of file loss or failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo valve Data File image file file?

Programs that open ".VDF" files

Windows
Valve Source SDK Valve Source SDK
Microsoft Notepad Microsoft Notepad
Other <a href=text editor"> Other text editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Valve Data File

  • File extension: .VDF

  • Developer: Valve

  • Category: Game Files

  • Format: Text

  • HEX: 56 69 72 75 73 20 44 61 74 61 62 61 73 65 20 46 69 6C 65 0D 0A 56 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3A 20

  • ASCII: MZ..........яя

  • File types that use the extension .VDF:

    • Valve Data File

    • AntiVir Virus Definitions File

    • VirtualDub Video Filter

    • Gothic Game Data File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:44 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VDF 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 is VDF Recovery and how does it work?

    VDF Recovery, also known as Video Data File Recovery, is a process of recovering lost or deleted video files from various storage media such as hard drives, memory cards, USB drives, etc. It involves using specialized software or tools to scan the storage device and retrieve the lost video files.

    The recovery process typically works by searching for deleted or lost video file signatures or metadata within the storage media. When a file is deleted or lost, its data is not immediately erased from the storage device. Instead, the file system marks the space as available for reuse, and the actual data remains intact until overwritten by new files.

    During the recovery process, the software scans the storage media sector by sector, looking for these video file signatures or metadata. Once found, the software reconstructs the file structure and recovers the video files. The recovered files are then typically saved to a different storage location to prevent overwriting or further data loss.

    It is important to note that the success of VDF recovery depends on various factors such as the extent of data fragmentation, file system corruption, and the time elapsed since the deletion or loss of the video files. In some cases, if the data has been overwritten or the storage media is physically damaged, the recovery may not be possible.

  • What are the common causes of VDF file corruption and how can VDF Recovery help in restoring the damaged files?

    The common causes of VDF (Virus Definition File) corruption include:

    1. Virus or malware attacks: VDF files can get corrupted if they are targeted by viruses or malware.
    2. Improper shutdown: If the computer or the antivirus software is not shut down properly, it can lead to VDF file corruption.
    3. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different antivirus software or other programs can cause VDF file corruption.
    4. File system errors: Issues with the file system, such as bad sectors or disk errors, can corrupt VDF files.
    5. Hardware failure: Problems with the hard drive or other hardware components can result in VDF file corruption.

    VDF Recovery is a software tool designed to restore damaged VDF files. It can help in the following ways:

    1. File repair: VDF Recovery can repair and restore corrupted VDF files, making them usable again.
    2. Virus removal: If the VDF file corruption is caused by a virus or malware, VDF Recovery can remove the infection and restore the file to its original state.
    3. Data recovery: In case of severe corruption or data loss, VDF Recovery can recover the lost or deleted VDF files from the system or external storage devices.
    4. File integrity check: VDF Recovery can verify the integrity of VDF files and fix any errors or inconsistencies found.
    5. User-friendly interface: VDF Recovery provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for even non-technical users to restore damaged VDF files.

    Overall, VDF Recovery is a useful tool for recovering and restoring corrupted VDF files, ensuring the smooth operation of antivirus software and protecting the system from potential threats.

  • Are there any limitations or specific file types that VDF Recovery supports for recovery purposes?

    VDF Recovery is a software tool designed specifically for recovering data from VDF files, which are database files used by the popular accounting software Sage. As such, it only supports the recovery of data from VDF files and does not have the ability to recover data from other file types or formats. The tool is specifically tailored to work with Sage VDF files and may not be suitable for recovering data from other types of files or databases.
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