Are there truly free file recovery services out there?

Have you heard of DMDE? It's a free app that can help, but its free version allows recovering only 4000 files, so keep that in mind. If you're using recovery software, make sure to run it from a different drive than the one you're recovering from.

If you're desperate, look into tools like Recuva or PhotoRec. Recuva is super straightforward—it's user-friendly and completely free. Just make sure you stop using the drive from which you need to recover files to avoid overwriting anything important. PhotoRec is also solid for file recovery, but it might take some time to understand how to use it effectively.
By the way, if you have Windows 10, check your File History feature for previous backups of your files.

Look, if you want quality recovery, you might have to spend some cash. Free apps can work, but they often have limitations and recovering files can be hit or miss. Think of it like this: you get what you pay for. If the files are important, seriously consider paying someone who specializes in recovery.

To be honest, there aren't any real free services for file recovery. If you really need those files back, it’s probably worth considering paying for a service. Free options often come with risks, like exposing your personal info. If you’re using Windows 10, you might want to check the 'Previous Versions' feature for your folders to see if you can restore something that way.

If your computer is still bootable, try booting from a Linux USB stick. You might be able to access your hard drive directly, even if Windows isn't working for you. Just be cautious with this method.