An online Project file recovery service

Practical comparison of Microsoft Project (MPP) recovery tools: methodology, participants, conclusions

We regularly conduct applied testing of programs and web services for recovering damaged Microsoft Project files (MPP format). The main goal is not to set laboratory records, but to understand how the tools behave on real damaged project files: where they succeed, where they fail, and what can be improved in our own solutions. We repeat the tests 1-2 times a year to see the dynamics.

Where do the test files come from?

The basis is always a real user sample: MPP files that have been damaged due to save failures, sudden closure of the Project, storage device damage, or the effects of viruses. We take everything that customers have uploaded to the cloud-based project recovery service (https://project.recoverytoolbox.com/online/), without filtering or smoothing it, so that the conditions are as close to real life as possible. In one cycle, we analyse at least 200-400 projects of different versions, sizes, and types of damage.

What kinds of failures did we encounter?

• Files that do not open in Project at all.
• Partially destroyed structures: floating tasks, distorted links/dependencies.
• Problems with resources and text fields, as well as macro failures.
• And even password-protected documents — we deliberately excluded them to test the behaviour of the utilities.

What and how we compared (criteria)

Each tool was given the same set of MPP files. For comparison, we recorded:

1. the completeness of the task list recovery;
2. preservation of text, links, dependencies;
3. correctness of resources;
4. the ability to extract data from partially damaged areas;
5. processing time;
6. cost to the user.

The results were aggregated into a table.

Test participants

• Recovery Toolbox for Project — desktop version (Windows only).
• Online version of Recovery Toolbox https://project.recoverytoolbox.com/online/
• Project Repair Kit and OnlineFile.Repair https://www.onlinefile.repair/project
• OnlineFileRepair.com https://onlinefilerepair.com/project
• SecureRecovery® for Project (also available as an online service).
• Built-in Microsoft Project Open and Repair feature (Project for Microsoft 365).

Summary of results

The table below shows the percentage of successfully recovered files, approximate prices, and brief comments. This is not a synthetic test, but a summary of real cases with varying degrees of damage.

Brief testing methodology (extended)

1. Raw case flow: we take all files downloaded over several months without preliminary selection — this way we avoid tailoring to the tool.
2. Variety of versions: from old to current MPP.
3. Types of damage: from won't open to point damage to connections.
4. Unified run: each tool processes the same pool.
5. Metrics collection: percentage of successful cases, integrity of tasks/resources/dependencies, time spent, and cost.
6. Summary table: final assessment with comments.

How to choose a tool for your damaged MPP file recovery scenario

1. First, try the built-in feature (Open and Repair) — it's free and fast; if that doesn't help, move on to external tools.
2. An online service is beneficial if you don't have the right/ability to install software, if you are using macOS/Linux, or if you are dealing with minor to moderate damage.
3. The Recovery Toolbox for Project desktop utility (Windows) is preferable for large files, complex structures, and when fine-grained processing is required.
4. Iterate with different solutions: failure of one service does not mean that the data is lost — different engines parse damage differently.

Step-by-step recovery algorithm (practical guide)

1. Make a copy of the damaged MPP.
2. Try Open and recover in Project (it's fast and free).
3. If that doesn't help, run the file through the Recovery Toolbox online service; if that fails, try alternative online solutions.
4. For complex cases and large files, use desktop utilities (start with Recovery Toolbox for Project).
5. If you manage to partially restore the structure, export the tasks/resources to a new, empty project, and then manually fix the links.

Conclusion

• Really damaged MPP files show that there is no universal rescuer: different tools cope with varying types of damage in various ways.
• In practice, the sequence built-in function → online service → desktop utility → alternative engines gives the highest probability of recovering data.
• The economics of choice are determined by the balance between one-time needs and task flow: online services are convenient for one-off cases, while desktop licenses are more suitable for regular work.