How does FTK aid in recovering deleted files?

FTK, or Forensic Toolkit, aids in recovering deleted files primarily through the use of file carving techniques and file system analysis. File carving involves searching for and reconstructing files based on their data structure and signature, even if they have been deleted or are not linked in the file system structure. This technique is particularly useful when files are removed but their data remains on the storage medium until it is overwritten.

Additionally, file system analysis allows FTK to examine the structures of the file system itself, such as understanding metadata, allocation tables, and directory listings, which can provide insights into files that have been deleted but may still be recoverable based on their previous locations.

While restoring files from trash bins and utilizing backup services may also help recover files, these methods are not the main focus of forensic analysis, as they rely more on user actions rather than the forensic capabilities of the software. Similarly, recovering files from cloud backups is contingent upon access to those backups, which is not inherently a function of FTK during local investigations.