IsoBuster is an unusually powerful data recovery tool that can rescue files from just about any optical disc.

The program works with all CD, DVD, Blu-ray and even HD DVD formats. In a couple of clicks it can be scanning your disc for lost data. And a deep understanding of many different file structures means that, if the files are still readable, there's a very good chance that they can be recovered.

There are also many convenient and thoughtful touches here. When you first scan a disc, for instance, IsoBuster will ask if you want to create an image of it on your hard drive (scanning that will be much faster). And in a welcome bonus feature, the program allows you to open many image formats, and browse them as though they were actually discs, viewing documents or launching the applications they contain.

There is also an important restriction with this version of the program: it can't recover data from UDF discs (UDF is the file system used by packet writing applications). To unlock this you must purchase an IsoBuster Pro licence; this costs $29.95 for personal use, and you can find out more on the IsoBuster site.