Recover a Deleted DaVinci Resolve DRP Project on Windows

Updated on Oct 21, 2026 | by Qiling

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Understand the Missing .drp File
Check Copies and Protect the Source
Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify the Recovered File
Frequently Asked Questions

A .drp is an exported DaVinci Resolve project. The Project Library can also hold an active project that was never exported, so a missing edit does not always mean a deleted .drp file.

Understand the Missing .drp File

Identify what vanished: an exported .drp, a project inside the library, or source media. Check the Project Manager, available project backups and library backups first. A .drp can restore the editing structure, but it does not by itself guarantee that external footage is present.

There are three different situations: the file was deleted, its folder or storage location changed, or the file still exists but does not open. Find out which happened before running a scan. A disk scan can find some deleted local files; it cannot create content that was never saved or repair every damaged file.

Check Copies and Protect the Source

In Resolve's Project Manager, check the correct Project Library and its project list before scanning.
Search export folders, Recycle Bin, cloud versions and backup disks for .drp copies.
If only clips are offline, locate the footage and relink it; scanning for a .drp will not solve missing source media.

Stop exporting or rendering to the source drive and keep a copy of the existing project library. Do not replace a working library while testing a recovered project.

If the disk disconnects repeatedly, clicks, or shows severe read errors, avoid repeated scans and seek a stable copy or professional help. Results also depend on whether the deleted blocks have been overwritten, especially on SSDs.

Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery can scan storage visible to Windows for deleted local files. Start only after checking existing copies. A result in the file list is a candidate, not proof that the file is complete.

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Step 1. Check the Best Available Copy

Open the likely backup or version-history location first. Copy any surviving .drp and related files to a safe destination. If no complete copy is available, close applications that write to the source and launch Qiling Deep Data Recovery.

Step 2. Choose the Scan Mode

Choose Fast Scan or Recycle Bin Scan for a deleted exported .drp; scan the library storage only if a local file really went missing. If the first pass misses the file and the device remains stable, use the deeper scan option in the results rather than repeatedly writing to the source.

Choose Qiling recovery scan mode for .drp

Step 3. Select the Source Location

Select the disk that held the exported project, not the footage volume unless the .drp was saved there. Confirm the disk model, capacity and drive letter before starting the scan. Never select the recovery destination as the source by mistake.

Select original storage location for .drp recovery

Step 4. Review Matching Files

Filter for .drp and compare export dates and sizes. Keep the latest usable export plus an older fallback. If the original folder is not shown, also search by file type and date. Do not discard earlier versions solely because one preview looks promising.

Review matching .drp recovery candidates

Step 5. Recover to Another Drive

Select the best candidates, click Recover, and save them to a different physical drive. Keep the recovered originals unchanged; test copies so a failed open or import cannot damage your only result.

Save recovered .drp files to another drive

Verify the Recovered File

Import a recovered copy into a separate test library. Confirm timelines, bins, grades and media links before changing the production library.

If a recovered file is incomplete, compare older backups and alternate scan results. Do not rename an unrelated file to .drp and assume its contents have been restored. Once you have a verified copy, include both the native file and any required companion files in a separate backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a DRP include all source footage?

No. Check media separately and relink offline clips after import.

What if the project is missing only from the library list?

Check the connected library and project backups before scanning for exported files.

Can I scan a drive while Resolve is rendering to it?

Stop writes first; otherwise deleted data may be overwritten.

Video editors use separate project formats and source media. For another editing application, follow its project-specific recovery and verification guidance: Recover Deleted Shotcut MLT Projects on Windows; Recover Deleted Kdenlive Project Files on Windows; Recover Deleted OpenShot OSP Projects on Windows; Recover Deleted Filmora WFP Projects on Windows; Recover Deleted Corel VideoStudio VSP Projects on Windows.