Hey there! Let's break down your questions step by step:

1. Can PhotoRec recover .rtf files? #

First off, PhotoRec does support recovering RTF files, but you might have missed it in the list because it's labeled as Rich Text Format instead of just .rtf. Here's a quick tip: when you're selecting file types to scan in PhotoRec, use the search function (if available) or scroll through the "Text" category to locate it.

That said, RTF files with embedded images (like the ones you pasted from Paint) can be trickier to recover fully. PhotoRec relies on file signatures to identify recoverable files, and embedded images are stored within the RTF's structure—sometimes the recovery process might split the file or fail to reconstruct the entire document with all images intact. If you already ran a scan and came up empty, try re-running it with only the Rich Text Format option enabled to narrow down results, and double-check that you're scanning the correct drive/partition where the file was originally saved.

2. What about the partially lost text and images in your saved document? #

Wait, you mentioned saving the file and then losing some content—if the file itself still exists but is corrupted (not deleted), data recovery tools like PhotoRec won't be much help here. Instead, you'll need a document repair tool. For RTF files, utilities that specialize in fixing corrupted text documents (many Word repair tools work for WordPad RTFs since they're compatible) might be able to extract the remaining content and embedded media.

If the file was accidentally deleted or overwritten after saving, then recovery tools are still a valid approach.

3. Should you use another recovery program? #

Absolutely, if PhotoRec isn't delivering the results you want, here are some solid alternatives to try:

• Recuva: A free, user-friendly tool perfect for basic file recovery. It has a straightforward interface and can scan specifically for RTF files, making it easy to target your document.
• TestDisk: Developed by the same team as PhotoRec, it focuses on partition recovery and fixing boot issues. If your file loss is linked to a corrupted partition, TestDisk might restore the partition structure so other tools (including PhotoRec) can find your missing RTF.
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A paid tool with a free trial that supports a wide range of file types, including RTF. It offers better preview capabilities than PhotoRec, so you can verify if the recovered RTF includes your embedded images before saving it.
• Stellar Repair for Word: If your issue is a corrupted existing RTF file (not a deleted one), this tool is designed specifically to repair and extract content from damaged RTF/Word documents, including embedded pictures.

A critical note for any recovery attempt: stop using the drive where the file was stored right away. Writing new data to it could overwrite the lost file, making it unrecoverable.

备注：内容来源于stack exchange，提问作者bghynjuo