How to recover files after a Maze ransomware attack using free tools

Maze ransomware was a sophisticated file-encrypting threat that became widely known for stealing data before locking it. Affected files may have unfamiliar extensions, ransom notes, and names referencing Maze or a related affiliate. The criminals behind the original operation announced a shutdown in 2020, but old infections, copied ransom notes, and later ransomware families can still cause confusion during recovery.

Free tools can help identify the strain, remove malicious components, search for surviving copies, and restore data from backups. They cannot usually decrypt files without a matching key or a serious flaw in the ransomware’s encryption. Avoid downloading random “Maze decryptors,” because criminals and scammers often use fake recovery utilities to install additional malware.

Understand what happened to the files

Ransomware typically encrypts documents, pictures, databases, archives, and other valuable files while leaving the operating system partly usable. The encryption changes the contents, so renaming a file or removing its extension will not restore it. A ransom note may provide an address or an identification page, but contacting the attackers creates financial, legal, and security risks.

Maze also used data theft as leverage. If sensitive information may have been copied, treat the event as a potential data breach and preserve evidence. Disconnect the affected computer from networks, do not delete ransom notes, and record suspicious filenames, timestamps, and messages before making major changes.

Isolate the computer before recovery

Disconnect Ethernet cables and disable Wi-Fi on the infected device. If other computers, shared folders, NAS devices, or removable drives were connected, separate them as well. This limits the chance that an active payload will encrypt more files or spread through reachable accounts.

Malware removal should come before connecting backup drives or launching recovery software. A backdoor can allow remote control, credential theft, and reinfection; this backdoor Trojan guide explains why remote-access malware deserves attention during incident cleanup. Scan with a reputable, updated security product from a clean environment, and change important passwords from another trusted device.

Check whether a legitimate decryptor exists

Start by identifying the ransomware rather than guessing from the file extension. Upload a ransom note or a small encrypted file to a reputable identification service such as ID Ransomware, provided the sample contains no private information. Compare the result with trusted resources, including No More Ransom and established security vendors.

There is no guaranteed universal Maze decryptor. A tool advertised as a free solution should clearly identify its publisher, explain the supported variant, and have independent security coverage. Save encrypted originals before testing anything, then work only on copies. If a decryptor fails, it may target another Maze version or the files may have been damaged before encryption.

Look for backups and previous versions

The safest free recovery method is restoring clean copies from offline backups, cloud version history, external drives, or another computer that was not connected during the attack. Verify that the backup predates the infection and scan it before opening restored files. Restore to a clean, separate destination instead of overwriting the encrypted originals.

Windows File History, Previous Versions, and Volume Shadow Copies may contain usable data, although ransomware frequently attempts to delete shadow copies. Cloud services can sometimes restore an earlier state or recover files from a recycle bin. If the malware is still present, use a Safe Mode cleanup guide before reconnecting storage or attempting restoration.

Match the free tool to the situation

Free utilities have different purposes. Decryptors address cryptographic locks, while recovery programs search for copies or file remnants. None should be treated as interchangeable, and installing software on the affected disk can overwrite recoverable data.

Tool or method	Best use	Main limitation
No More Ransom resources	Checking for an official decryptor	Maze coverage is not guaranteed
Windows File Recovery	Finding recently deleted files	Requires command-line use and spare storage
PhotoRec	Recovering file contents from damaged media	Often loses original names and folders
TestDisk	Restoring lost partitions or boot structures	Does not decrypt ransomware files
Cloud or offline backup	Restoring intact versions	Backup must be clean and available
Shadow copies or File History	Recovering earlier Windows versions	Ransomware may delete or corrupt them

Use file recovery software carefully

If no backup exists, stop using the affected drive. Every download, installation, and saved document can overwrite remnants that recovery tools might find. Ideally, remove the drive and connect it to a clean computer as secondary storage, or boot from trusted rescue media.

PhotoRec can recover recognizable document, image, archive, and media patterns from some disks, while TestDisk may help when partitions or file-system structures are damaged. Windows File Recovery is another Microsoft option for deleted data. These tools cannot reverse strong encryption; they are useful only when files were deleted, copied temporarily, or left intact in unencrypted locations.

Reduce reinfection risks during restoration

Recovery often fails because the original infection remains active or because unwanted software is installed while searching for a fix. Review browser extensions, startup entries, scheduled tasks, and recently installed applications. Guidance on potentially unwanted programs can help distinguish suspicious bundled software from legitimate utilities.

Use a clean administrator password, enable multifactor authentication where possible, patch Windows and applications, and restrict shared-folder permissions. Keep at least one backup disconnected from the computer, and periodically test whether files can actually be restored.

Follow a safer recovery sequence

• Isolate the infected computer and every connected storage device.
• Preserve ransom notes, encrypted samples, logs, and suspicious messages.
• Identify the ransomware with a reputable service and check trusted decryptor databases.
• Clean or reinstall the operating system before attaching backups.
• Restore from verified backups, then use file-recovery tools only on copies or a separate drive.

Maze recovery is most successful when evidence is preserved and expectations remain realistic. Do not pay or run unverified decryptors simply because a file has an intimidating extension. Begin with identification and containment, then work through backups, official decryptor resources, and carefully controlled data recovery.

Use Pc Malware Expert’s malware-removal and security guidance to investigate the infection safely, protect other devices, and build a recovery process that does not put surviving files at further risk.