How to Recover Deleted SVG Files

In the field of digital design and graphics, SVG files become increasingly popular due to their ability to scale without losing quality and are widely used for icons, illustrations, logos, and more.

However, accidental deletions or file corruptions can occur, leading to the loss of important SVG files. In this article, we will explore how to recover deleted SVG files and prevent such losses in the future.

What Are SVG Files?

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files, introduced in 2001, are XML-based vector image files, which define two-dimensional vector graphics. It means SVG files are composed of multiple points, lines, curves, and other shapes and are put together using math equations.

One of the biggest advantages of SVG graphics is to be scaled infinitely without compromising their quality, regardless of the screen size or resolution. It has a smaller size & can be easily modified, support certain types of animations, and is programmable.

How to Create and Open SVG Files

In fact, you can create SVG files completely through Notepad or similar text editors, but you’ll have to be very familiar with this file type and graphic design. Of course, you can Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Core Draw, more commonly used programs, or perhaps Inkscape if you’re looking for free software.

To view created SVG files, just locate the SVG files, right-click them,  select Open with, and the compatible options, such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari, default photo viewers, etc. Or directly drag it to your browser and drop it into the empty area.

How to Recover Deleted SVG Files Successfully

Recovering deleted SVG files poses challenges due to the unique nature of vector graphics. Unlike traditional image formats, where fragments of the image might still be recoverable, SVG files require more specialized methods for restoration.

Way 1: Check the Recycle Bin Folder

On Windows operating systems, deleted files often end up in the Recycle Bin folder, from which they can be easily restored. To recover deleted SVG files, open the Recycle Bin folder, locate the file, right-click on it, and select Restore.

Way 2: Restore SVG Files from Backup

Regularly backing up your important files is essential, which gives you a chance to restore them back quickly. Microsoft offers Windows users the File History feature to backup files automatically at a specific time interval. It requires you to enable them before you lose your data and be sure your files are saved in the user folder.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security and click File History.

Step 2. Select Restore personal files. It will open the file history recovery window.

Step 3. Click the left arrow to locate your deleted files, and click the Restore to original location icon to restore deleted files from Recycle Bin.

Way 3: Recover SVG from Illustrator

If you use Adobe Illustrator to create SVG files, there is a chance to recover from it. Like other software, it has a built-in auto-save feature, which will save a copy of your SVG files automatically.

You can go to the default location: C:\User\App Data\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator\Adoble Illustrator settings\data recovery and check if there are any deleted SVG files from Adobe.

Way 4: Recover Deleted SVG with Software

If you still cannot find your SVG files, it may be deleted permanently. You could consider using professional file recovery software like MyRecover to scan your disk and recover deleted SVG files completely without losing quality. You can even preview files before recovery.

• Retrieve files lost in any scenario, such as accidental deletion, formatting, virus infection, corrupted disk, etc.
• Recover deleted X3F/JPG/SVG/HEIF images, AVI/MP4/MPG videos, DOC/DOCX/TXT/XLS documents, etc over 200 file formats.
• Filter specific file types, such as images, videos, documents, audios, mails, etc. You can also set the date modified and size.
• Multiple devices compatible, such as internal or external disk, USB drive, SD card, etc. It can be different file systems like FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, ReFS, and more.

In addition, the software does not require technical expertise and is friendly to novices, making the recovery process seamless. Please download this professional Windows data recovery software to have a try!

Step 1. Launch this professional data recovery software - MyRecover. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. It will run Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically to find out all the deleted or lost files including the SVG images. To locate them quickly, use the Filter feature or go to the original location in the left panel.

Step 3. Select your desired files and then click Recover x files to start SVG file recovery. You will then be asked to select a location. Please select a new location instead of the original location to prevent potential data overwriting.

Notes:  

• The restore button will display the number of selected files and their full size. You can use it to determine the integrity of the recovered files.
• You can recover deleted SVG files for free, up to 500MB. Once exceeded, please upgrade to the advanced editions.
• In addition, you still can use this software to recover different file types, such as recover deleted WMV videos, recover Word documents, etc.

Way 5: Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

If the data is overwritten or the recovery process fails, it is best to consult a professional data recovery service, such as CBL, Ontrack, SalvageData, etc. They always hire experienced specialists and have advanced equipment for more complex recovery tasks. Moreover, every attempt reduces the success rate of data recovery.

Of course, the price is expensive. It usually depends on the damage severity, time elapsed, and recovery difficulty. So before contacting them, please learn as much as you can and be sure your SVG files are very important.

Tips to Prevent SVG File Loss

You may not want to lose any SVG files, but unexpected errors occur sometimes, resulting in data loss. To prevent further file loss, you need to take some prevention measures:

1. Be Cautious with Deletion

Double-check the selected files before confirming the deletion action. This minimizes the chances of accidental deletion. Or be sure you use the quick format method while formatting.

2. Scan Your Disk Regularly for Viruses

Virus or malware infection is a common cause of file deletion. To avoid this, you’d better enable the built-in Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software to scan your disk, especially when there are any new installations or changes.

3. Enable Adobe Auto-Save Feature

Adobe is one of the most common software to create SVG files and it offers users a Auto-Save feature to backup them automatically. You can set it up as follow:

Step 1. Launch Adobe Illustrator. Go to Edit > Preferences > File Handing.

Step 2. In File Save Options, check Automatically Save Recovery Data Entry Every and select the time interval, from 30 seconds to 1 hour.

Step 3. Check the default data recovery location. To change it, click Choose and select a new one.

Step 4. Select Clipboard Handling and check Include SVG Code. You can also tick PDF and AICB options. Then, click OK.

4. Regular Backups

Using free Windows backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to backup SVG files directly is also a good choice. And it’s more flexible and feature-rich. You can set a scheduled task, such as daily, weekly, monthly, etc, and backup specific partitions or the entire disk containing SVG files.  

Conclusion

Accidental deletion of SVG files can be frustrating and lead to project disruption. This article explores various ways to recover deleted SVG files, of which using data recovery software is the most effective method. In comparison, it is more cost-effective than data recovery services.

Remember, prevention is key, so make sure to back up your SVG files regularly. You can choose to enable the Auto-Save feature in Adoble, and more flexibly, try third-party file backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard.  

FAQs

1. Can I recover permanently deleted SVG files?

In most cases, permanently deleted files are challenging to recover. However, it's worth attempting data recovery software or consulting professionals for assistance.

2. Is it possible to recover corrupted SVG files?

Depending on the level of corruption, some data recovery tools may help retrieve parts of the SVG file. However, full restoration may not always be possible.

3. Can I recover SVG files from a formatted hard drive?

Yes, data recovery services can often retrieve files from formatted hard drives, including SVG files.