¿How to open .wcl, .w01, etc. files in Windows 8.1?

Chaurigol

New Member
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Hello! My system got ruined a couple of days ago, I only have a Samsung Recovery image left, which can't be restored (fails during the process). I would like to recover certain files inside that backup, but I can't seem to find a software that can open or extract the files. The extensions are .wcl, .w01, .w02, etc.

Any ideas? I am kind of desperate :(

Thanks in advance!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single User
    Computer type
    Laptop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Thanks for your answer, CountMike, but that software is to recover lost files, which is not my case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single User
    Computer type
    Laptop
Hola! These files were created by a proprietary backup/recovery software, and I very much doubt you can explore them without the original software. Still, you can always try to open them with an archiver like 7-zip (7-Zip), the .001 .002 naming scheme reminds me of the way rar/zip works. The zip format is used in a lot of applications today but is renamed. For example .epub (ebook format), .docx (latest windows word format), etc.. are all actually zip files. So it's worth a try checking with 7-zip or similar...

From a quick google search, wcl is the format used by WinClon which was rebranded/customized as Samsung Recovery Solution. This type of rebranding usually limits greatly the number of features (kinda like the version of Acronis True Image which is given for free with some Hard Disks). You can probably find Samsung's version on its support site. I did find one on softpedia ( Samsung Recovery Solution Free Download - Softpedia ), but I have no idea if this version allows you to browse the content of your recovery files. Your best bet would be to find the original WinCLon, since I assume if has the full features but it's commercial and you'll have to pay for it.

My advice : don't rely on obscure software for something as crucial as your backup/recovery solution, save your backup on a separate partition or better, an external drive. And keep a copy of the recovery software on a bootable usb key. Here are some free versions you can check :
Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview
Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download
http://www.acronis.com/en-eu/#
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for your complete answer, oneeyed. I already tried with WinRAR and 7-zip, no luck. Tried looking for WinClon, but it's paid and for Mac OS only, and apparently does not offer the options either. Samsung Recovery does not allow to browse or extract files. I'm running out of alternatives :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single User
    Computer type
    Laptop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 & Windows 7 Dual Boot
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP G60
    CPU
    AMD Turion RM-70 Dual Core 2.0 GHZ
    Memory
    3 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 8200M G
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Mouse
    MS Intellipoint 5 button (love it!)
    Browser
    Chrome and Chromium
    Antivirus
    Avast Free & Malwarebytes
I have tried nearly everything, no luck until now. I contacted Samsung in case they can figure it out. Please comment if you come up with another idea. Thanks again!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Single User
    Computer type
    Laptop
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