How to Retrieve .WXS Files from a Damaged Storage Device

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

How to Retrieve .WXS Files from a Damaged Storage Device

What is a .WXS file?

Source file created by Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset, a Windows installer developing program; XML document containing one root element (<Wix>

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

There are several common causes of ".WXS" files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".WXS" file while organizing or cleaning up their computer.
  2. Software or system errors: Errors in software or system can lead to corruption or deletion of ".WXS" files. This can occur due to bugs, crashes, or conflicts with other programs.
  3. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can infect and damage files on a computer, including ".WXS" files. Viruses or malware can delete, corrupt, or encrypt files, making them inaccessible.
  4. Hardware failure: If there is a hardware failure, such as a hard drive crash or a power surge, it can result in the loss of ".WXS" files.
  5. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, when updating or upgrading software, the ".WXS" files may not be properly migrated or transferred, leading to their loss or failure.
  6. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of drives, improper file handling, or incorrect software configurations, can cause ".WXS" file loss or failure.
  7. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can result in the loss or failure of ".WXS" files.
  8. Unintentional overwriting: If a user mistakenly saves a new file with the same name as an existing ".WXS" file, the original file may be overwritten and lost.
  9. Power outages: Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns can interrupt file saving processes and lead to ".WXS" file loss or failure.
  10. Disk fragmentation: Fragmentation of the storage device can cause files to become scattered across different sectors, increasing the risk of file corruption or loss, including ".WXS" files.

It is important to regularly backup ".WXS" files to minimize the risk of loss or failure.

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

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

Looking for how to open a stereo wiX Source File image file file?

Programs that open ".WXS" files

Windows
WiX Toolset WiX Toolset

Additional Information

  • File type: WiX Source File

  • File extension: .WXS

  • Developer: Outercurve Foundation

  • Category: Developer Files

  • Format: XML

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:58 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .WXS 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 a ".WXS backup" and how does it work?

    A ".WXS backup" refers to a backup file created using the WiX Toolset, which is an open-source set of tools used to build Windows installation packages. The WiX Toolset uses XML-based source files with a .WXS extension to define the structure and components of an installer.

    When creating a backup using the WiX Toolset, the .WXS files, along with any associated files and resources, are typically compressed into a single archive file. This archive file serves as a backup of the original installation package, allowing you to restore it if needed.

    The process of creating a .WXS backup involves using the WiX Toolset's command-line tools or an integrated development environment (IDE) like Visual Studio. By specifying the necessary parameters and source files, the tools generate the backup file containing all the required components and metadata.

    The .WXS backup can be useful in scenarios where you want to revert to a previous version of an installer or when you need to distribute an installer package to others while keeping a backup copy of it.

  • How can I create a .WXS backup of my files or data?

    To create a .WXS backup of your files or data, you can follow these steps:

    1. Install WiX Toolset: Download and install the WiX Toolset, which is a set of tools used to create Windows Installer packages. You can get it from the official WiX website.
    2. Create a new WiX project: Open the WiX toolset and create a new project by selecting "New Project" or "New WiX Project" from the File menu. Give your project a name and specify a location to save it.
    3. Add files to the project: Right-click on the "File System" folder in the Solution Explorer and select "Add" and then "File". Browse to the location of the files or data you want to back up, select them, and click "Add".
    4. Define a component: Right-click on the "File System" folder again and select "Add" and then "Component". This will create a new component for your files. You can give it a name and set other properties as needed.
    5. Associate files with the component: Drag and drop the files you added in step 3 onto the newly created component. This will associate the files with the component and include them in the backup.
    6. Build the project: Right-click on the WiX project in the Solution Explorer and select "Build". This will compile the project and generate the .WXS backup file.
    7. Locate the .WXS backup file: After the build process is complete, the .WXS backup file will be generated in the project's output folder. By default, this folder is named "bin" or "obj" and is located in the project directory.

    That's it! You have successfully created a .WXS backup of your files or data using the WiX Toolset.

  • Are there any specific software or tools required to restore a .WXS backup?

    To restore a .WXS backup file, you would typically need a software or tool that supports the .WXS file format. However, it is important to note that .WXS is not a common backup file format, so there may not be any specific software or tools designed specifically for restoring .WXS backups.

    In some cases, .WXS files may be associated with Windows Installer XML (WiX) toolset, which is used to create installation packages for Windows applications. If this is the case, you would need to have WiX installed on your system to restore the backup.

    However, without further information about the specific context or purpose of the .WXS backup file, it is difficult to provide a more accurate answer.

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