Many users turn to Wondershare Recoverit to recover lost files, but is it safe and free of malware? This is a question that comes up often online, so we decided to provide a clear answer through our own tests. We ran tests on Windows, scanned the installer for viruses, reviewed its privacy rules, and checked user reviews. In this article, you’ll see exactly what we found and whether Recoverit is safe to use.
What is Wondershare Recoverit?
Wondershare Recoverit is a data recovery application available for both Windows and macOS. It restores deleted files from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and external devices, including cameras and drones. The developer claims that the app supports more than 1,000 file formats, ranging from photos and videos to documents and compressed archives.
Recoverit also has extra features such as video repair and enhanced video recovery, which help reconstruct corrupted or fragmented media files. A free trial is available, though it has a strict 100 MB cap.
The software is developed by Wondershare Technology Co., Ltd., a company with over 20 years in the software industry and known for tools like Filmora. All this already shows that Recoverit is a legit program, not a scam or malware trap, provided you download it from the official Wondershare website. Still, we decided to test it ourselves to see how safe the software really is in practice.
Does Wondershare Recoverit Contain a Virus or Malware?
Our tests on Windows show that the official Recoverit installer contains no malware or bundled threats. We downloaded the latest official version of the program from Wondershare (at the time of testing, v.13.6.2).
The installation took place on a PC with Windows 11 and the latest updates installed. The setup was clean, and the program behaved normally: no hidden tasks or suspicious background processes.
How we verified the installer:
- We downloaded the latest Recoverit installer from the official Wondershare website and avoided unofficial mirrors.
- We uploaded the installer to VirusTotal, which scanned the file with over 70 antivirus engines.
- The vast majority (69/72) marked the file as clean. A few engines flagged it, but such results sometimes appear even with legitimate official software and do not necessarily indicate a serious threat.
As you can see, the installer is clean. The only risk comes from fake builds on unofficial websites, especially “cracked” or so-called “portable” versions that Wondershare does not provide officially.
If you download Recoverit from the official Wondershare website or from the Microsoft Store, the installer is clean and safe to use.
Is Wondershare Recoverit Safe to Use on Windows?
Yes, Recoverit is safe on all supported versions of Windows: 11, 10, 8.1, 7, and even older Server editions. The installer adds no extra apps, applies no hidden system tweaks, and registers no background services.
We ran full scans before and after installation, as well as after the first launch – results: clean. Windows Defender and other antivirus tools reported zero threats.
The program works without root access or driver-level modifications. It does not create startup tasks or hidden processes. Most recovery actions are completed in user mode and stay within Windows security limits.
However, one drawback is the constant pop-up prompts that advertise other Wondershare products or suggest additional downloads. These prompts do not affect safety, but they can feel intrusive.
What Data Does Wondershare Recoverit Collect?
Recoverit does not upload your personal documents, photos, or recovered files to Wondershare servers. The program scans only the drives and folders you select (see screenshot below) and displays results on your screen.
However, like most licensed software, Recoverit may collect limited metadata for activation and diagnostics:
- IP address – used for license checks and fraud prevention.
- Device information – Windows version, hardware ID, and language.
- License key – required for activation and support.
- Usage statistics – anonymous crash reports or update checks (not your personal files).
We were a bit disappointed that Recoverit does not provide any Privacy settings, unlike many other recovery programs, such as Disk Drill or Recuva. This is a significant drawback for anyone who values control over data sharing and wants full transparency in how a tool communicates with external servers.
Privacy Policy
Wondershare applies a unified privacy policy across its suite of products, including Recoverit, Filmora, Dr.Fone, UniConverter, and more. Recoverit does not have a dedicated privacy statement and instead falls under the broader umbrella provided here: Wondershare Privacy Policy.
Key points for Recoverit users:
- Personal files stay local. Recoverit processes files only on your device unless you explicitly upload or share them. By default, your personal or recovered files never leave your computer.
- No direct privacy controls in the app. Competing tools often provide a toggle to disable telemetry-Recoverit does not. Privacy-conscious users must rely on offline use or firewall rules to stop data transmission.
- User rights are recognized. Depending on your location, you may request access, correction, deletion, or migration of your data. Wondershare supports these rights under applicable privacy laws.
Overall, this approach does not differ much from competitors – it is a standard privacy policy for consumer software. Still, more direct privacy controls inside the app would be welcome for end users who want greater transparency and control.
User Feedback and Reviews
And now let’s see what users say about Recoverit. It receives a wide mix of reactions across community forums, tech sites, and user platforms. Many users value its simple interface and support for a large number of file types, while others highlight its safety compared to suspicious recovery tools.
Still, some people point out functional limits. These include a very small free version, high pricing after scans, and incomplete recovery of certain video files.
- One user on Reddit wrote: “I tried Recoverit, but you can only recover 10 files on the free version. The recovery for those 10 failed, and I used up my trial.”
- A Trustpilot reviewer shared: “I recovered all my files thanks to this program after I made a huge mistake of deleting all my files directly from my camera. This program saved my 3-day trip memories.”
Here are the ratings for Recoverit on major software platforms:
|
Platform |
Rating |
User votes |
|
4.5 / 5 |
5,218 |
|
|
4.4 / 5 |
58 |
These review platforms show consistent mid-to-high ratings for Recoverit. Most of the negative feedback comes from users frustrated with the small free version, the subscription pricing, or incomplete recovery of certain video files, not concerns about safety or malware.
In fact, safety almost never comes up as an issue.
Our Final Verdict
After our tests and a review of real user feedback, we confirm that Wondershare Recoverit is a safe and reliable data recovery tool. The official installer passes antivirus checks, although not with 100% unanimity. The program runs clean on Windows without hidden processes, and it does not upload personal data without user action.
Recoverit does not match professional-grade recovery labs or advanced tools, yet it stands as a legitimate choice for everyday file loss.
Compared to free alternatives like Piriform Recuva, Recoverit offers a more polished interface and extra features such as video repair, but at a significantly higher cost. With more than 20 years of development history and support from Wondershare, Recoverit remains a legit, no-risk option for anyone who needs secure data recovery on Windows or macOS.
FAQ
Is Wondershare Recoverit a secure option?
Yes. Recoverit is a secure and verified data recovery tool from Wondershare, a long-standing software company. Independent antivirus scans confirm that the installer is clean and free from malware. During testing, the program behaved normally without adding background services or suspicious processes.
Is Wondershare Recoverit safe to download?
Recoverit is safe to download if you use the official Wondershare website or the Microsoft Store. Files from the official source remain signed and verified. Unofficial downloads often contain adware or modified builds that may trigger antivirus alerts or privacy risks.
Does Wondershare Recoverit contain malware?
No. We scanned the official Recoverit installer on VirusTotal, and 69 out of 72 engines marked it as clean. A few engines flagged it, but such results sometimes appear even with legitimate software and do not necessarily indicate a threat.
Is Wondershare Recoverit safe for Windows?
Yes. Recoverit runs safely on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, and even older server versions. It does not request elevated permissions beyond recovery tasks, does not create auto-start entries, and does not interfere with antivirus software. Testing showed no crashes, slowdowns, or conflicts.
Does Wondershare Recoverit collect my data?
Recoverit may collect limited metadata, such as IP address, OS version, and license key, mainly for activation, diagnostics, and fraud prevention. Personal files, folder names, and recovered content never leave your PC. Recoverit does not provide any in-app privacy settings. The software does not include a toggle to disable usage statistics or telemetry. Users who want maximum privacy can only limit data exposure by running Recoverit offline or blocking its internet access through a firewall.
Can I use Wondershare Recoverit without an internet connection?
Yes. Recoverit works fully offline to scan drives and recover files. An internet connection is required only to download the installer, activate a license, and apply software updates. Core recovery features remain available in offline environments.
Is Wondershare a trustworthy company?
Yes. Wondershare has operated since 2003 and develops well-known tools like Filmora, UniConverter, and PDFelement. The company has a global user base and established privacy policies. Its products are widely used by both IT professionals and home users worldwide.