Piriform Software has released Recuva 1.51 and Recuva Portable 1.51, new versions of its popular Windows freeware data-recovery tool.

Version 1.51 widens its file system support to cover Linux-formatted volumes, plus makes it possible to recover data from drives with no partition table data. It also includes numerous improvements and optimizations.

The headline new feature has to be the fact that Recuva is now capable of recovering data from volumes that possess no Globally Unique Identifier (GUID). Windows relies on a drive providing a GUID in order for it to identify partitions and drives, and this new feature follows on from support for unmounted volumes that was introduced in the previous update.

Recuva can now detect and recover from volumes that have no GUID attached.

Meanwhile, Recuva’s new-found ability to recover data from Linux volumes is attained through the addition of ext2 and ext3 file system support.

Version 1.51 improvements include better solid-state drive detection and support, as well as an improved secure overwrite function on Windows XP machines.

The deep scan algorithm for FAT32 volumes has been further optimised, while the Show Drives options menu has also been improved.

Users of the paid-for Professional edition gain improved partition detection when scanning VHD virtual images, and the update is rounded off with customary user interface tweaks and minor bug fixes.

Recuva 1.51 and Recuva Portable 1.51 are both available now as a freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later. A Professional Edition is also available for $24.95, while a Business Edition license costs $34.95.