Recovering .WDF Files from Damaged Internal or External Drives

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

Recovering .WDF Files from Damaged Internal or External Drives
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .WDF file?

Driver file used by the Windows Kernel-Mode Driver Framework (KMDF) and User-Mode Driver Framework (UMDF) components; typically contains an empty file that serves as a driver version marker; used by Microsoft's Online Crash Analysis (OCA) tool to provide driver information.

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

There are several common causes of ".WDF" files lost or failure, including:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".WDF" files while cleaning up their computer or organizing files.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Problems with the operating system, software crashes, or hardware failures can lead to ".WDF" file loss or corruption.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".WDF" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to be deleted.
  4. Power outages or system shutdowns: Unexpected power outages or improper system shutdowns can result in ".WDF" file corruption or loss.
  5. Disk errors: Physical or logical disk errors can cause ".WDF" files to become unreadable or lost.
  6. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as corruption or formatting errors, can lead to ".WDF" file loss.
  7. Human errors: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of the wrong drive or improper handling of storage devices, can result in ".WDF" file loss.
  8. Migration or transfer issues: When transferring ".WDF" files between devices or during system migrations, errors can occur, leading to file loss or corruption.
  9. Software conflicts: Incompatibilities or conflicts between different software applications can cause ".WDF" files to become inaccessible or damaged.
  10. File system conversion: Converting file systems, such as from FAT to NTFS, can sometimes result in ".WDF" file loss or failure.

It is important to regularly back up important ".WDF" files to prevent loss and to use reliable data recovery tools or services in case of file failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Driver Foundation File image file file?

Programs that open ".WDF" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Driver Foundation File

  • File extension: .WDF

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: N/A

  • HEX: D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 00

  • ASCII: WinGenea

  • File types that use the extension .WDF:

    • Windows Driver Foundation File

    • Workshare Compare DeltaFile

    • Wiimm Disc File

    • Wintech Drawing File

    • WinGenea Genealogy File

    • Wonderland Adventures Media File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:15 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WDF 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 purpose of the .WDF format and what types of files does it typically contain?

    The .WDF format is primarily used for storing disk images. It stands for "Windows Disk Image Format" and is commonly associated with virtualization software like VMware Workstation or Oracle VirtualBox.

    The purpose of the .WDF format is to create a virtual representation of a physical disk or a complete disk image. It allows users to create, manage, and run multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine. This format enables the emulation of various operating systems and software configurations within a virtual environment.

    Typically, a .WDF file contains an exact copy of the data on a physical disk, including the file system, partition table, and all files and folders. It can include the operating system, applications, and user data, essentially replicating the entire contents of a disk. This disk image can then be mounted and accessed by virtualization software to create virtual machines.

  • How does the .WDF format differ from other file formats commonly used in data storage and transfer?

    The .WDF format, also known as Windows Driver Format, is a file format specifically designed for storing and transferring device driver files in the Windows operating system. It differs from other file formats commonly used in data storage and transfer in several ways:

    1. Purpose: The primary purpose of the .WDF format is to store device driver files, which are essential for the proper functioning of hardware devices in Windows. Other file formats like .docx, .jpeg, .mp3, etc., serve different purposes like document storage, image storage, audio storage, etc.
    2. Content: The .WDF format contains the necessary files and information required to install and operate a device driver, such as driver code, configuration settings, metadata, and resource files. In contrast, other file formats store various types of data, such as text, images, audio, video, etc., depending on their specific format.
    3. Accessibility: The .WDF format is primarily used by system administrators, hardware manufacturers, and developers who need to install or update device drivers on Windows systems. It is not intended for general user access or manipulation. On the other hand, other file formats are designed for easy accessibility and usage by end-users.
    4. Compatibility: The .WDF format is specifically designed for Windows operating systems and is compatible with various versions of Windows, including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Other file formats are often platform-independent and can be used across different operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
    5. File Extension: The .WDF format is identified by the file extension ".wdf" or ".sys" (in the case of driver files). In contrast, other file formats have their own unique file extensions, such as .docx for Microsoft Word documents, .jpeg for image files, .mp3 for audio files, etc.

    Overall, the .WDF format is specialized for device driver storage and transfer in Windows, while other file formats serve a wide range of purposes and are more commonly used for general data storage and exchange.

  • Are there any specific software applications or tools that are required to open and work with .WDF files?

    Yes, there are specific software applications or tools that can open and work with .WDF files. One such tool is the "Windows Disk Image Burner" utility, which is a built-in feature in Windows operating systems. It allows users to burn .WDF files to a CD or DVD.

    Additionally, some third-party software applications can also open and work with .WDF files. For example, the "WinISO" software can open, edit, and convert .WDF files. Another tool called "UltraISO" is also capable of handling .WDF files.

    It's important to note that .WDF files are typically associated with disk image files, so any software that supports disk image file formats may be able to open and work with .WDF files as well.
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