[Cracked!] How to Recover Photoshop File Effectively? - Photoshop Recovery

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2023-05-17

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5min read

If you are a Photoshop user, you understand the significance of autosave as it can protect your valuable work from being lost. Nevertheless, there are circumstances such as computer crashes or hard drive corruption when autosave may not be sufficient to preserve your work. In applications like Photoshop, where a single project may involve numerous effects, layers, and textures, losing files due to crashes or corruption is unacceptable. However, if you do encounter such issues and end up losing your work, don't worry. This guide on Photoshop recovery will provide you with the necessary assistance. In this article, we will explain how you can recover Photoshop file effectively.

Can You Recover Photoshop File?

Recovering a lost or deleted Photoshop file is possible, but the likelihood of success depends on various situations, such as still saved on the computer, permanently deleted on the computer, permanently deleted on the computer but has a backup, and the Photoshop file already corrupted. Several reasons may cause your PSD files deleted such as accidental deletion, hard drive failure, virus or malware, power outage, saving errors, overwriting, etc. To recover a lost Photoshop file, you can perform certain actions like examining the recycle bin or trash folder on your computer, seeking backups or prior versions of the file, or using file recovery software. It is crucial to note that the more time elapses before attempting to recover the file, the lower the chances of successful retrieval, so it's advisable to take prompt action.

Situation 1:  Photoshop Files Still are Saved on Computer

Assuming your Photoshop files still are saved on your computer, you can try the below-given methods in such a situation.

Method 1: Photoshop Recovery Using Recycle Bin/Trash

If you happen to have deleted your PSD files either unintentionally or intentionally, don't worry. There is a straightforward solution available to recover them. It's a common problem, but both Windows and Mac operating systems offer a solution to it. The Recycle Bin in Windows and the Trash in Mac temporarily store your deleted files, providing a safety net against accidental deletions and a convenient way to recover them if you change your mind. Follow the below steps to perform Photoshop recovery using Recycle Bin/Trash.

Recycle Bin (Windows)

Step 1: Locating the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop is a breeze. Simply click on it, and you'll have access to all of your deleted files.
Step 2: Next, sift through the search results and select the PSD file that you wish to retrieve.
Step 3: After selecting the desired file, right-click on it and select the "Restore" option to send it back to its original location.

Recycle Bin Windows | recover photoshop file

Trash (Mac):

Step 1: To locate the Trash icon on your Mac, simply look for it in the dock.
Step 2: After opening the folder, take a look through its contents and identify the PSD file you wish to retrieve.
Step 3: You have two options to recover the selected file. Firstly, you can simply drag and drop it into a different folder. Secondly, you can right-click on the file and choose the "Put Back" option. Upon completion of this step, the file will be restored to its initial location.

Trash Mac | recover photoshop file

Method 2: Photoshop Recover Unsaved File By The Previous version

In the event of a device crash, file corruption, or accidental overwriting, utilizing your device's backup options can be a lifesaver. Fortunately, both Windows and Mac operating systems come equipped with built-in features designed to assist you in the event of data loss. File History on Windows and Time Machine on Mac are examples of features that can be extremely helpful in recovering a damaged Photoshop file with just a few clicks. Here are the steps to Photoshop recover unsaved file from the Previous Version.

File History (Windows):

Step 1: Locate "File History" in the Start menu.

File History step 1 | recover photoshop file

Step 2: Make sure that you have configured File History on your device. To accomplish this, you'll need to choose an external drive or network location where you want your data to be backed up. After that, simply select the "Turn on" option.

File History step 2 | recover photoshop file

Step 3: Next, browse the accessible backups to find the PSD file you wish to recover. Right-click on the file and choose the "Restore Previous Versions" option.

File History step 3 | recover photoshop file

Step 4: You'll be able to see the previous versions of the file and select the version you wish to retrieve. After selecting your preferred version, click on the green "Restore" button to return the files to their original location.

Time Machine (Mac):

Step 1: Recovering your PSD files using Mac's Time Machine is an uncomplicated and intuitive procedure. Ensure that Time Machine is activated on your Apple device, then choose an external drive from the System Preferences menu to commence the backup of your data.

Step 2: Launch Spotlight by pressing Command + Spacebar, and then search for "Time Machine."

Time Machine step 2 | recover photoshop file

Step 3: You can peruse the accessible backups and choose the PSD file you wish to retrieve. Once you've made your selection, click on "Restore" to return the files to their original location.

Time Machine step 3 | recover photoshop file

Method 3: Photoshop Recovery Files with Autosave

The latest versions of Photoshop come with Autosave enabled by default, so if you're wondering whether Photoshop autosaves, the answer is a resounding yes! The Autosave function is programmed to periodically save your work while you're working. Here are the steps to perform Photoshop recovery files with Autosave.

Windows:

Step 1: To open the application, double-click on Photoshop.

Step 2: To access the File menu, click on the toolbar at the top of the screen, moving from left to right.

Step 3: Afterward, navigate to Preferences and select File Handling, then opt for an auto-save recovery time.

Autosave windows | recover photoshop file

On Windows, the directory where autosaved PSD files can be found is:
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop\AutoRecover.

Mac:

Step 1: Open the Photoshop application on your Mac.

Step 2: Go to the Photoshop menu and tap on it.

Step 3: Then, choose Preferences > File Handling > select auto-save recovery time.

Autosave mac | recover photoshop file

On a Mac, the directory where autosaved PSD files can be found is:
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop/AutoRecover.

Method 4: Photoshop File Recovery on Temp File

When working on a PSD file in Adobe Photoshop, the application saves a temporary version of the file in a "Temp" folder. If you're fortunate, you may be able to retrieve a crashed or unsaved Photoshop file from this folder. Follow the below steps to perform Photoshop file recovery on Temp File.

Windows:

Step 1: Open Windows File Explorer and go to User\YourUserName\Local Settings\Temp.
Step 2: Look through this folder for files that start with "Photoshop" followed by alphanumeric characters.
Step 3: Search for the temporary file by either opening each file or sorting by the date and time of creation.
Step 4: Once you have located the file, save it for future use.

Temp File windows | recover photoshop file

Mac:

Step 1: Navigate to Applications > Utilities using Finder.

Step 2: Open the Terminal.

Step 3: Type the following command and then press Return: open $TMPDIR

Temp File mac | recover photoshop file

Step 4: Search for the unsaved Photoshop file.

Step 5: Duplicate it to a secure location.

Method 5: How to Recover File Photoshop Via Open Recent

A simple method to retrieve your unsaved Photoshop file is to use the "Open Recent" option within the Photoshop application. Here are the steps to Photoshop recover file Photoshop via Open Recent.

Windows:

Step 1: Open Photoshop and navigate to Files.
Step 2: From there, select the "Open Recent" option to view all of the recent files you have worked on.
Step 3: Choose the file you wish to recover, open it, and your unsaved work will be restored. Save this file on your device to access it in the future.

Open Photoshop and navigate to Files | recover photoshop file

Mac:

Step 1: Open Adobe Photoshop.
Step 2: You have to select File from the Menu bar.
Step 3: Click on "Open Recent" and choose your Photoshop file.

open recent mac | recover photoshop file

Method 6: Recover Previous Version of Photoshop File Using a Recent Folder

If your unsaved Photoshop file is missing due to a crash, you can look in the Recent folder on your Mac to recover it. Follow the below steps to recover previous version of Photoshop file using the recent folder.

Step 1: Open the Finder app from the Mac dock to launch the program.

Step 2: Navigate to the Recents folder located on the left-hand side.

Using a Recent Folder | recover photoshop file

Step 3: Locate the unsaved Photoshop files and open them using Adobe Photoshop to save them on your Mac.

Situation 2: Photoshop Files are Permanently Deleted on Computer

If the Photoshop files are permanently deleted on the computer, then you can follow the below-given method

Recover Unsaved/Lost Photoshop File with Best Photoshop Recovery Software

To retrieve your Photoshop recovery files, the most effective method is to utilize software, and there's no better option than Eassiy Data Recovery. This software is a cut above its competitors, offering a plethora of powerful features that can restore your data quickly and efficiently. It's both speedy and reliable, capable of providing precise and accurate data recovery services. Eassiy Data Recovery can be used on any drive or location, whether it's a local drive, Recycle Bin, portable devices such as USBs or SD cards, external hard drives, or crashed computers. This user-friendly but professional program can recover various file types, including photos, videos, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and more. It can restore lost files due to a variety of causes, such as accidental deletion, virus attacks, emptying the trash bin, or operating system updates.

Key Features:

  • The software can support over 1000 file types, including PSD files, photos, videos, music, and various documents such as Excel, Word, PPT, PDF, and many others.
  • Retrieve missing or erased data from a wide range of sources, including Windows/Mac systems, SD cards, USB flash drives, digital cameras, and more.
  • With a higher success rate, the software can recover data from various loss scenarios such as deletion, formatting, and RAW issues.
  • The software is easy, secure, and user-friendly.
  • You can pause or resume the scanning process at your convenience, without any limitations.

How to Recover Unsaved/Deleted Photoshop File on Windows/Mac?

Follow the below steps to recover unsaved/deleted Photoshop file on Windows/Mac.

Step 1: To initiate the recovery process using Eassiy Data Recovery, simply launch the software and choose the type of data you wish to retrieve, as well as the hard drive you want to scan. If you only wish to recover specific file types, select the corresponding checkboxes.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 1 | recover photoshop file

Step 2: Eassiy Data Recovery provides two scanning modes: Quick Scan and Deep Scan. Quick Scan initiates automatically when you commence scanning, making it the optimal choice for recent data loss. You can review the scanned results by examining the files sorted by type and path.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 2 | recover photoshop file

Note: If you are dissatisfied with the results, you can run a Deep Scan to uncover additional content. However, be advised that this may take longer than a Quick Scan.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 3 | recover photoshop file

Step 3: After all the data types are displayed, choose the specific files you wish to recover. You can use the search bar to locate files by name or path, and the icons adjacent to the Filter button to modify the preview mode.

Eassiy Data Recovery step 4 | recover photoshop file

Situation 3: PSD Files are Permanently Deleted, but has backups

If the PSD files are permanently deleted but have backups, then you can check out the method given below.

How to Recover Photoshop Files After Crashing with Backup and Restore Utility

Creating backups is essential for professionals who store valuable data on their devices. If you have regularly backed up your device, you can use those backups to restore PSD files. Here are the steps to recover Photoshop files after crashing with the backup and restore utility.

Step 1: Navigate to the Control Panel, then find and open "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" to locate your most recent backup.

Step 2: After locating your most recent backup, click on "Restore my files" to proceed with the restoration process.

with Backup and Restore Utility step 2 | recover photoshop file

Step 3: Click on "Browse for files" or "Browse for folders" and then select the specific files you wish to restore.

with Backup and Restore Utility step 3 | recover photoshop file

Step 4: After selecting the files to restore, choose a suitable destination where you want to restore the files. It is recommended to choose a different system partition or an external hard drive to avoid overwriting any existing files.

Situation 4: PSD Files are Already Corrupted

If your PSD files are already corrupted, you can use the try to open a flat copy method. A flat copy of your Photoshop file is a compressed version of the original file size, which can be created by merging layers into background layers. This technique can be useful in the event of file errors or corruption, as a flat copy can be quickly retrieved as a backup. However, it's important to note that this method only works if an existing file copy exists. Recovering a corrupted PSD file with a flat copy is a relatively straightforward process, although its effectiveness may be uncertain. To retrieve a flat copy.

  • To recover a non-corrupted PSD file on Windows, you can click on ALT[Win] + SHIFT while clicking on the file to open it.
  • On Mac, you can recover the file by clicking on Option[Mac] + Shift while clicking on it.

Useful Tips for Photoshop Recovery

1. How to open Photoshop temp file?

To access a Photoshop temporary file, here are the steps:

  • Launch Adobe Photoshop.
  • From the top menu bar, select "File".
  • Click on "Open Recent" and choose "TempFiles" from the options.
  • Select the specific temporary file you want to open from the list of recently accessed files.
  • Click "Open" to view the selected temporary file.

Alternatively, you can locate the location of the temporary file on your computer and open it by double-clicking on it. The default storage location for temp files is typically within the "Photoshop Temp" folder, which is located in the same directory as your Adobe Photoshop program files. Look for the "Temp" folder within this directory to find the temporary file you need.

2. Why is my Autorecovery folder empty or Photoshop Autosave not working?

If your Autorecovery folder in Photoshop is empty or Autosave is not functioning, there may be several causes. Here are some of the possible reasons of Autorecovery folder is empty or Photoshop Autosave not working:

  • Autosave is not activated: Check if Autosave is enabled in Photoshop by going to Edit > Preferences > File Handling. Make sure that the "Automatically Save Recovery Information" option is selected.
  • File not saved: If you have not saved your file at least once, there will be no Autorecovery file to restore from. Remember to save your work regularly.
  • Location of the Autorecovery folder: The default location of the Autorecovery folder is usually in the same directory as your Photoshop program files. Verify whether the folder has been removed or its location has been modified.
  • Disk space: If your computer's storage space is low, the autorecovery files may not be saved. Check your disk space and remove any unneeded files to free up storage.
  • Crash or system failure: Sometimes, a crash or system failure can prevent Photoshop from creating Autorecovery files. This could be due to software or hardware issues.
  • Autorecovery interval: Autorecovery saves files at set intervals. If you have set a long interval, your Autorecovery folder may be empty.

If none of the above solutions work, try restarting Photoshop or your computer. If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall Photoshop or seek assistance from Adobe support.

3. Recover Photoshop files after crash Mac

To recover a Photoshop file after a crash on your Mac, you can try the following steps:

  • Open Photoshop and navigate to "File" > "Open Recent" to see if your file is listed there. If it is, click on it to open it.
  • If the file is not listed, check your "Trash" folder to see if the file is there. If it is, restore it to its original location.
  • If you still can't find the file, check the "Autosave" folder. The default location of the Autosave folder is Users > [your username] > Library > Application Support > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop [version] > AutoRecover. Look for a file with a similar name to your lost file, open it in Photoshop, and save it to a new location.
  • If you still can't find the file, check the "Recovered Files" folder. This folder is automatically created by Photoshop when it crashes and contains copies of unsaved documents that were open at the time of the crash. The Recovered Files folder is located at: Users > [your username] > Library > Application Support > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop [version] > AutoRecover.
  • If none of the above solutions work, you may need to use data recovery software to retrieve your lost files.

It is important to save your work frequently to avoid losing important changes in the event of a crash or unexpected shutdown.

Conclusion

Losing an Adobe Photoshop file can be devastating, particularly after investing significant time and effort into it. In this article, we have explained how you can recover Photoshop file effectively. You can utilize any of the methods mentioned above to retrieve your unsaved or deleted PSD files. Furthermore, you can employ Eassiy Data Recovery software to retrieve unsaved or deleted Photoshop files effortlessly. This software is user-friendly, quick, and free to try, which decides to use it more straightforwardly.

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