For a software to be usable, it requires continuous development. This is to allow for new features to be added, as well as handling new types of media, and in the case of CnW Recovery Software, the ability to add in new recovery routines and algorithms. More than anything, CnW wants to ensure that it’s product does what their customers require.

The prime objects for CnW Data Recovery Software are as below

• To recovery lost data from any medium
• To perform recovery as simply as possible
• To be as quick as possible
• To have good reporting of media problems
• Comprehensive forensic reports
• To contain additional useful tools
• Have good support and documentation
• To verify recovered files, and to manipulate when possible to make the files usable.
• In the event of a ‘bug’ have a fast turn round for a fix, or work around.

The current CnW product has finished its first stage of development.. There are now very few bugs and most jobs will run without any problems. Dealing with unknown disk failures can occasionally cause problems which is the nature of data recovery. On the above list, the first item is most important, the rest all share second place and so will all be worked on. Progress on each one is seen on a monthly basis

The CnW release policy is one of continuous updates - on a monthly, or even weekly basis, and not an annual basis. Any user on support can download a new version with new features implemented, and not have to wait another 6-12 months. Just download the demo and reload.

Current developments (July 2010) include the following (order not significant)

• Tools to assist in reconstructing fragments of files - progressing well with manual data carving program
• Support for EnCase disk image files - beta version June 2009, Forensic option only
• Enhanced forensic analysis
• Support for RAID drives, including reconstruction when drives are ‘missing’
• Disk scanning for hardware confidence
• Improved AVI fragment handling
• Adding tool tips to all dialog boxes - progressing screen by screen
• Additional automatic tool tips for common sector types
• Encrypted disk recovery - not easy, and getting harder
• Mangled Mac disks, making progress
• More file verification, indicating that a recovered file is valid
• Linking to online updates
• More analysis in wizard mode
• Broadcom NAS Version 1.1 MBR disks from HP Media Vault, running Reiser FS

As features are added, the Updates page will be updated, allowing users to see if a new download is worth downloading. As general development, there is always work being done to ensure the program will not crash on totally unexpected media, and also trying to get the best recovery performance in terms of files recovered, and speed of recovery.

Feedback, and requests or suggestions are always appreciated, please just e-mail to info@cnwrecovery.com