Author Topic: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE  (Read 1844 times)

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puckman

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Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« on: October 23, 2024, 12:28:10 AM »
Hello again.

I was doing some PDF library housekeeping.  Regretably, I did it manually because I haven't figured out how to use JavaScript in PDFE to leverage automation in the task.  Instead, I was repeatedly and manually selecting, copying, and moving files using the command under Menu -> Edit.

During one batch of moving, I accidently deleted the files intended for a Copy.  I received the message warning that they would be moved to the Recylce Bin  The second accident was a panic reaction that acknowledged it rather than my intention to cancel.

Within PDFE the filenames are still visible in the source folder but none are readable or accessible  All have the $******.pdf filename.  Also I can neither recover or see their contents with in the the PDFE viewer, Windows File Explorer and Acrobat Pro.

Short of hacking the security for the Recycle Bin, how can I recover these files?

Thanks in advance for your help.  I'm hoping you can throw me a Hail Mary because I ttried everything I know.

Ed

RTT

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Re: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2024, 02:20:29 AM »
Testing here I get the files correctly moved to the recycle bin, and only need to open it and undo the operation. No idea what happened at your system to continue to have the file names visible in the source folder within PDFE. Even after DiskTree scanning that folder?
Are the files also in the source folder when viewed from the File Explorer?

puckman

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Re: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2024, 02:38:10 PM »
Find attached an image of the message error I receive when I click on the file that was deleted.

Also I neglected to mention that I went straight to the recycle bin to restore the files but they are not there. 

To where does PDFE send the deleted file? The message from PDFE I receive if I want to delete is "Are you sure you want to move this file to the Recycle Bin?   I tested a delete on a dummy file within PDFE and I don't see it in the Recycle Bin.


RTT

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Re: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2024, 02:34:08 AM »
PDFE delegates the delete operation to the Windows Shell, by calling a Windows Shell API function, so the behavior should be similar to what happens when deleting from withing the File Explorer. Normal Delete moves the file(s) to the recycle bin, Shift+Delete deletes permanently.

Is that D: drive a local drive or mapped network or flash drive? Usually only local/external HDD have the recycle bin functionality. Right click the recycle bin icon and open its properties dialog. Check the drives listed and settings.

RTT

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Re: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2024, 04:04:09 PM »
Regarding these PDF files, with filenames that start with a $, have random names and fail to load. This name schema is the used by the shell recycle bin functionality, if you browse the recycle bin hidden folders. These are not the deleted files but rather binary files with information about the related deleted files, so the deleted files can be restored. Have no interest outside the recycle bin.
I have no idea how you got these files in that work folder.

puckman

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Re: Recovering PDF's deleted from within PDFE
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2024, 06:15:00 PM »
PDFE delegates the delete operation to the Windows Shell, by calling a Windows Shell API function, so the behavior should be similar to what happens when deleting from withing the File Explorer. Normal Delete moves the file(s) to the recycle bin, Shift+Delete deletes permanently.

Is that D: drive a local drive or mapped network or flash drive? Usually only local/external HDD have the recycle bin functionality. Right click the recycle bin icon and open its properties dialog. Check the drives listed and settings.

It is a local (RAID) drive.

Regarding these PDF files, with filenames that start with a $, have random names and fail to load. This name schema is the used by the shell recycle bin functionality, if you browse the recycle bin hidden folders. These are not the deleted files but rather binary files with information about the related deleted files, so the deleted files can be restored. Have no interest outside the recycle bin.
I have no idea how you got these files in that work folder.


I don't know either. In fact I can't remember when I first started seeing these files

Testing here I get the files correctly moved to the recycle bin, and only need to open it and undo the operation. No idea what happened at your system to continue to have the file names visible in the source folder within PDFE. Even after DiskTree scanning that folder?
Are the files also in the source folder when viewed from the File Explorer?

Yes they are.  Should this NOT be the case?

As I mentioned earlier, I tested a non-destructive delete (send to the Recyle Bin) within the PDFE environment.  The file was NOT present there.  I will test again and report back.