Creative software · SD card after Windows repair
Recover CHK files from FOUND.000 on an SD card
Can photos in CHK files inside FOUND.000 be recovered?
Short answer
Only sometimes: CHK files in FOUND.000 are data chains that Windows error checking saved during a repair, and some still hold complete photos. Keep the folder intact, copy the CHK files to another drive and examine those copies, for example for a JPG start marker. Renaming the extension cannot restore missing fragments.
The situation
Windows repair has left CHK files instead of the original photos.
CHK files may contain surviving photo or video data. Windows can save lost data chains in this form during repair. Preserve the complete folder and its structure. Whether a usable recording can be extracted depends on the content and completeness of each file; changing an extension cannot replace missing bytes.
01 / Diagnose
Work out what actually disappeared
Record whether Windows has already run an error check and when the pictures were last visible. Compare CHK sizes with known originals from the camera. A small fragment, an intact JPEG and several joined data pieces need different checks. Keep any remaining DCIM folders and repair logs as supporting evidence.
File-system repair can change the relationship between folders, names and data chains. A collection of CHK files is neither a complete backup nor necessarily disposable debris.
Check the last known path, trash and backups without writing to the original device.
02 / Protect the source
Preserve the best recovery chance
- 1
Decline additional repair passes and save the existing message or repair log without modifying the card.
- 2
Copy readable recovery folders unchanged to a separate drive, then create duplicates for examination.
- 3
Identify the actual file type from its contents before changing the extension of a working copy.
- 4
Consider a read-only examination of the original card or a preserved image when the folder does not contain every missing recording.
Do not rename every CHK file to JPG or discard apparently useless fragments. Another repair pass that writes to the card can change more of the remaining evidence. Do not upload private recordings to an unverified online conversion service.
03 / Choose the method
Match the tool to the source
For stable, readable exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 or uncompressed IMG, DD, RAW and BIN images.
Unconfirmed exports are marked .UNVERIFIED.
File Recovery Hero is not a CHK converter and cannot import individual damaged files. It can examine a still-recognizable exFAT, NTFS or FAT32 source or a supported raw image. Missing fragments require a different recovery approach.
04 / Verify
Check the recovered content, not just its name
Open photographs at full resolution and inspect the bottom of each frame as well. Check video and audio throughout the entire recording. Record the original CHK name alongside any working filename so damaged results can still be matched to other fragments.
Keep the source until two verified copies exist. One working preview is not enough.
Sources and technical references
FAQ
Questions about this recovery case
Can SD card after Windows repair be recovered in this situation?+
CHK files may contain surviving photo or video data. Windows can save lost data chains in this form during repair. Preserve the complete folder and its structure. Whether a usable recording can be extracted depends on the content and completeness of each file; changing an extension cannot replace missing bytes. The result still depends on what remains readable on the source.
What should I avoid before scanning?+
Do not rename every CHK file to JPG or discard apparently useless fragments.
Does scanning write to my memory card?+
Your memory card is only read. Nothing is saved to it.
How do I know whether the result is complete?+
Open photographs at full resolution and inspect the bottom of each frame as well.
Preserve what remains.
Check the source first, then choose the appropriate next step.
Scan for free first, then decide.