Undelete (from Diskeeper) can recover files and data

I've been trying some products from Diskeeper Corporation. If you delete files that are needed later...or, if someone else does...Undelete could be a savior.

Undelete uses "InvisiTasking". It runs in the background, and does not degrade the performance of a computer.

It includes Emergency Undelete, which can recover files that were deleted before Undelete was installed...if they have not been overwritten. Emergency Undelete can also be run from a CD, and USB drive.

Search Disk

You can search by file name, extension, location, locate deleted files by the date they were created or deleted, and track the owner or users who deleted the file.

Version Recovery

Undelete allows instant recovery of older ("saved over") versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. Version Recovery is integrated with Windows Explorer: just right-click on a file to recover earlier versions. Undelete will present all of the versions that are available, and allow you to open files to preview them (before you try to recover them).

SecureDelete erases files using a methodology developed for the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense. The Wipe Free Space feature overwrites free space so files can never be recovered, and there is an option to do so automatically.

Undelete replaces the Windows recycle bin with a Recovery Bin™. The Recovery Bin intercepts all deleted files, no matter how they were deleted. It has a Windows Explorer-like interface so you can navigate to files, right-click on them, and select Recover. The size of the Recovery Bin can be automatically adjusted: depending on the settings, it will purge files the Recovery Bin when it fills up on a First-In First-Out basis. If the size of a drive or volume becomes critically low, Undelete can reduce the Recovery Bin size. If more space is available, Undelete can expand the Recovery Bin to protect more files.

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Undelete 2009 Home Edition works with 32-bit verisons of Windows 2000, XP, and Vista only...it is not compatible with Windows Vista Business and Enterprise. NTFS and 16/32-bit FAT file systems can be accessed, but the 12-bit FAT file system is not supported. Primary partitions, extended partitions, logical drives, volume sets, mirror sets, RAID arrays, removable disks, and memory cards can be used with Undelete.

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Undelete Professional Edition is recommeneded for computers that are used for business, where data is stored locally and on network file servers. Administrators that are using an edition of Undelete Server can connect to computers that are running Undelete Professional Edition 2009 to access the Recovery Bins, and remotely browse and recover deleted files on those clients.

In addition to features noted in the home version, Undelete 2009 Professional Edition maintains Windows NTFS security so users can only access files for which they have permission.

Undelete 2009 Professional Edition works with 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Server 2003 and 2008.

restoring/recovering files

There was a question about how to restore files in Windows...

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If the file is in the Recycle Bin, it can be easily restored from there:
open the Recycle Bin...
select the file(s) to restore...
restore the file(s)...
and, when you are done, close the Recycle Bin window.

I found a (Windows 2000) description at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows2000/en/advanced/help/recycle_bin.htm

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If you have the Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate versions of Windows Vista you can try to restore a previous version...or shadow copy...of the file.

"Previous versions are either backup copies—copies of files and folders that you back up by using the Back Up Files wizard, or shadow copies—copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point....

"Right-click the file or folder, and then click Restore previous versions..."

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If the file was "deleted" from the hard drive, you can consider software that will try to help you recover the file. There's a lot of these products available...at the moment, I don't have any that I can recommend over others.

cannot uninstall software

Kelly called our radio show and said he was unable to uninstall some software from Windows Vista.

Try to do it from Safe mode...

If that doesn't work, you could consider using System Restore:
Turn back time on your PC
What is System Restore?
System Restore: frequently asked questions

unable to uninstall (antivirus) software

Frank called because he was unable to uninstall his antivirus product...

My suggestion is to try to uninstall it from Safe mode...

Symantec has had removal information, and tools, available on their website...

uninstalling programs

Paul has a computer that came with Norton 2005. He wants to uninstall it, and install a different (antivirus) product.

How to change or remove a program in Windows XP