How to Retrieve .WMF Files After a Corrupt Disk Error

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

How to Retrieve .WMF Files After a Corrupt Disk Error
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .WMF file?

Proprietary Windows graphic format developed by Microsoft; contains a series of drawing operations, including commands for drawing lines, circles, and rectangles; may also contain bitmap drawing operations; used primarily for vector images, but can also include raster graphics.

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

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

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".WMF" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or software bugs, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".WMF" files.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect ".WMF" files, causing them to become inaccessible or damaged.
  4. Hardware failure: Problems with the computer's hard drive, such as mechanical failure or bad sectors, can result in the loss of ".WMF" files.
  5. Software conflicts: Incompatibilities between different software programs or improper installation/uninstallation can lead to the loss or corruption of ".WMF" files.
  6. Power outages: Sudden power outages or system shutdowns without proper saving or closing of ".WMF" files can cause them to be lost or damaged.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidentally overwriting or formatting the storage device containing ".WMF" files, can result in their loss.
  8. Software bugs: Issues or glitches in software applications that handle ".WMF" files can cause them to fail or become corrupted.
  9. Operating system issues: Problems with the operating system, such as crashes or errors, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".WMF" files.
  10. Network issues: If ".WMF" files are stored on a network drive or accessed over a network connection, issues such as network failures or interruptions can result in their loss or failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Metafile image file file?

Programs that open ".WMF" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio
Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
IMSI TurboCAD Pro IMSI TurboCAD Pro
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019
Corel PaintShop Pro 2020 Corel PaintShop Pro 2020
ACD Systems Canvas X 2019 ACD Systems Canvas X 2019
Newera Graphics Converter Pro Newera Graphics Converter Pro
Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer
Microsoft Picture It! Microsoft Picture It!
Inkscape Inkscape
CADSoftTools ABViewer CADSoftTools ABViewer
Mac
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe
Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
Cristallight WMF Converter Pro Cristallight WMF Converter Pro
Apple QuickTime Player with Flip4Mac WMV Components Apple QuickTime Player with Flip4Mac WMV Components
Inkscape Inkscape
Linux
Inkscape Inkscape
GIMP GIMP

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Metafile

  • File extension: .WMF

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Vector Image Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: image/x-wmf

  • HEX: D7 CD C6 9A 00 00, 01 00 09 00 00 03

  • ASCII: ЧНЖ

  • File types that use the extension .WMF:

    • Windows Metafile

    • Widelands Map File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 16:29 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WMF 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 .WMF file format and what is it commonly used for?

    The .WMF file format stands for Windows Metafile. It is a 16-bit metafile format used by Microsoft Windows to store vector graphics. WMF files contain a sequence of drawing commands that can be used to render images at various resolutions without losing quality.

    WMF files are commonly used for clip art, logos, illustrations, and other types of graphics. They can be inserted into documents created with Microsoft Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. WMF files can also be edited using programs like Microsoft Paint or Adobe Illustrator. However, it's worth noting that the WMF format has been largely replaced by the Enhanced Metafile (EMF) format, which offers more features and better compatibility with newer Windows versions.

  • How does the .WMF format differ from other image file formats like .JPEG or .PNG?

    The .WMF (Windows Metafile) format differs from other image file formats like .JPEG or .PNG in several ways:

    1. Vector vs. Raster: .WMF is a vector-based format, while .JPEG and .PNG are raster-based formats. This means that .WMF files store images as a series of mathematical instructions that define shapes, lines, and curves, allowing for scalability without loss of quality. On the other hand, .JPEG and .PNG files store images as a grid of pixels, resulting in fixed resolutions and potential loss of quality when scaled.
    2. Transparency: .WMF files do not support transparency, whereas .PNG files can have transparent backgrounds. .JPEG files do not support transparency and have a solid background color.
    3. Compression: .WMF files use a lossless compression method, which means they retain all the original image data and do not sacrifice quality. In contrast, .JPEG files use a lossy compression method, which results in smaller file sizes but can lead to a loss of image details and quality. .PNG files also use lossless compression, preserving image quality while typically resulting in larger file sizes than .JPEG.
    4. Color Support: .WMF files support both RGB and CMYK color modes, making them suitable for both screen and print use. .JPEG and .PNG files primarily support RGB color mode, which is more commonly used for screen-based applications.
    5. Usage: .WMF files are primarily used for storing vector graphics and are widely supported in Windows-based applications. .JPEG and .PNG files are more commonly used for storing photographs, web graphics, and images that require transparency.

    It's important to note that the suitability of a particular image format depends on the specific use case and requirements of the image.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues associated with using .WMF files in different software applications or platforms?

    Yes, there are limitations and compatibility issues associated with using .WMF (Windows Metafile) files in different software applications or platforms. Here are a few:

    1. Limited support: Some software applications or platforms may have limited or no support for .WMF files. This can result in compatibility issues where the file may not open or display correctly.
    2. Loss of quality: .WMF files are primarily vector-based, but when opened in software that does not fully support vector graphics, the files may be converted to raster images, resulting in a loss of quality and resolution.
    3. Incompatibility with non-Windows platforms: .WMF files are primarily used on Windows platforms and may not be fully compatible with non-Windows platforms such as macOS or Linux. Opening or editing .WMF files on these platforms may require additional software or conversion.
    4. Limited features: Some software applications may not support all the features or attributes of .WMF files. This can lead to the loss of specific effects, fonts, or other elements when opening or editing the files.
    5. Security concerns: .WMF files have been historically associated with security vulnerabilities. Opening .WMF files from untrusted sources or using outdated software can pose a security risk.

    To ensure better compatibility and avoid these issues, it is often recommended to use more widely supported and modern file formats such as .SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) or .PDF (Portable Document Format) for vector graphics.
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