How to Restore .WAB Files Lost Due to Data Corruption

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

How to Restore .WAB Files Lost Due to Data Corruption
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .WAB file?

Address book file that contains contact information, such as names and e-mail addresses; used by Microsoft Outlook Express, a popular free email program; similar to the .PAB file used by the full version of Microsoft Outlook.

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

There are several common causes of ".WAB" (Windows Address Book) files being lost or facing failures:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".WAB" file while managing their files or cleaning up their computer.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with the operating system, software conflicts, or hardware failures can lead to the corruption or loss of ".WAB" files.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".WAB" files, rendering them unusable or causing them to be deleted.
  4. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as bad sectors on the hard drive or improper shutdowns, can result in the loss or corruption of ".WAB" files.
  5. Upgrading or reinstalling operating system: During the process of upgrading or reinstalling the operating system, ".WAB" files may get overwritten or deleted accidentally.
  6. Data synchronization issues: If the ".WAB" file is being synchronized with other devices or platforms, issues during the synchronization process can cause data loss or file corruption.
  7. Software bugs or glitches: Occasionally, software bugs or glitches in the application or utility used to manage ".WAB" files can result in data loss or file failures.

It is important to regularly backup ".WAB" files to prevent data loss and use reliable data recovery tools to recover lost or corrupted files.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Address Book image file file?

Programs that open ".WAB" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Contacts Microsoft Windows Contacts
Microsoft Outlook Express Microsoft Outlook Express
Microsoft Outlook 2019 Microsoft Outlook 2019
Stellar DBX to PST Converter Stellar DBX to PST Converter

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Address Book

  • File extension: .WAB

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Data Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: 9C CB CB 8D 13 75 D2 11 91 58 00 C0 4F 79 56 A4

  • ASCII: ЛЛ..uТ.‘X.АOyV

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:43 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WAB 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 the process of .WAB recovery and how does it work?

    The process of .WAB (Windows Address Book) recovery involves retrieving or restoring data from a corrupted or damaged .WAB file. Here is a general outline of how it works:

    1. Identify the issue: Determine the cause of the .WAB file corruption or damage, such as accidental deletion, system errors, software conflicts, or hardware issues.
    2. Backup: Before attempting any recovery process, it is advisable to create a backup of the existing .WAB file to prevent further data loss or damage.
    3. Use built-in tools: Windows provides a built-in tool called "WAB Recovery" to recover data from a damaged .WAB file. This tool scans the file for errors and attempts to repair them automatically.
    4. Third-party recovery software: If the built-in tool fails to recover the .WAB file, you can opt for third-party recovery software specifically designed for .WAB file recovery. These tools employ advanced algorithms to scan and repair the damaged file, extracting the address book data.
    5. Select the file: Launch the recovery software and select the corrupted .WAB file that you want to recover.
    6. Scan the file: The software scans the selected .WAB file, searching for any recoverable data.
    7. Preview and select data: Once the scanning process is complete, the software displays a preview of the recoverable data, such as contact names, email addresses, and phone numbers. You can select the specific data you want to recover.
    8. Recover the data: After selecting the desired data, initiate the recovery process. The software will restore the selected data from the corrupted .WAB file and save it to a new, error-free file.
    9. Verify the recovered data: Open the recovered .WAB file and verify that the data has been successfully restored. Check for any missing or incomplete information.
    10. Import the recovered data: If the recovery process is successful, you can import the recovered data into your email client or address book application. The specific steps for importing the data may vary depending on the software you are using.

    It is important to note that the success of .WAB recovery depends on the extent of the damage or corruption to the file. In some cases, it may not be possible to recover all the data or restore the file to its original state. Therefore, regular backups and preventive measures are recommended to avoid data loss.

  • What are the common reasons for .WAB file corruption or loss?

    There are several common reasons for .WAB (Windows Address Book) file corruption or loss:

    1. Software or hardware issues: Unexpected system shutdown, power failure, or hardware failure can lead to .WAB file corruption or loss.
    2. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect and corrupt files on your computer, including the .WAB file.
    3. Improper file handling: Accidentally deleting or moving the .WAB file, or improper handling during file transfer or backup can result in its corruption or loss.
    4. Operating system upgrade or software conflicts: Upgrading the operating system or conflicts with other software can cause issues with the .WAB file.
    5. Disk errors or bad sectors: Physical damage to the hard drive or disk errors can corrupt the .WAB file.
    6. File system corruption: Corruption in the file system due to improper shutdowns or other factors can affect the .WAB file.
    7. User errors: Accidental deletion, modification, or overwriting of the .WAB file by the user can lead to its loss or corruption.

    It is important to regularly backup your .WAB file to prevent data loss and use reliable antivirus software to protect your computer from malware.

  • Are there any reliable software tools available for .WAB recovery, and if so, what are their features and limitations?

    Yes, there are several reliable software tools available for .WAB (Windows Address Book) recovery. Some of the popular ones include:

    1. Stellar Phoenix Address Book Recovery: This tool is designed to recover contacts from corrupt or damaged .WAB files. It supports recovery from both Outlook Express and Windows Address Book. It can recover all the contact details including name, email address, phone number, etc. However, it does not support recovery from encrypted .WAB files.
    2. SysTools WAB Recovery: This tool can recover contacts from corrupt or damaged .WAB files and save them in various formats such as PST, CSV, VCF, etc. It can recover all the contact details along with their associated attributes. However, it does not support recovery from password-protected .WAB files.
    3. Recovery Toolbox for Address Book: This tool can recover contacts from corrupt or damaged .WAB files and save them in various formats such as VCF, CSV, TXT, etc. It can recover all the contact details including name, email address, phone number, etc. However, it does not support recovery from encrypted .WAB files.
    4. DataNumen Outlook Express Repair: This tool can repair and recover contacts from corrupt or damaged .WAB files. It can recover all the contact details along with their associated attributes. However, it does not support recovery from password-protected .WAB files.

    Limitations of these software tools may include:

    • Inability to recover contacts from severely corrupted or overwritten .WAB files.
    • Limited support for recovery from password-protected or encrypted .WAB files.
    • Some tools may have limitations on the number of contacts that can be recovered in the trial version.
    • Compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows or Outlook Express.
    • Limited or no support for batch recovery of multiple .WAB files simultaneously.

    It is recommended to carefully evaluate the features and limitations of each software tool before making a selection based on your specific requirements.
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