How to recover data in Windows 10 cmd?

To recover data in Windows 10 using the Command Prompt (cmd), it’s essential to understand the basics of data recovery, the tools available within Windows, and the procedures you can follow.

1. Understanding Data Loss

Data loss can occur due to various reasons such as accidental deletion, file corruption, virus attacks, or system crashes. Before jumping into the recovery process using cmd, it’s important to identify the cause of the data loss. This will help in choosing the right approach for recovery.

Common Causes of Data Loss:

Accidental Deletion: Files deleted using Shift + Delete bypass the Recycle Bin.

File System Corruption: Issues like bad sectors, improper shutdowns, or software conflicts can corrupt the file system.

Virus/Malware Attacks: Malicious software can delete or corrupt files.

Disk Formatting: Accidentally formatting a disk can erase all its data.

Partition Loss: Losing or deleting partitions can result in data loss.

2. Precautions Before Data Recovery

Before you proceed with data recovery, consider the following precautions:

Stop Using the Affected Drive: Avoid writing new data to the affected drive to prevent overwriting the lost data.

Backup Existing Data: If possible, back up any existing data on the drive to avoid further data loss.

Run Antivirus Software: Ensure that no malware is present on your system, which could interfere with the recovery process.

3. Tools Available in Windows 10 Command Prompt

Windows 10 Command Prompt offers several built-in tools that can be used for data recovery. These include:

CHKDSK (Check Disk): This tool checks the integrity of the file system and fixes logical file system errors.

ATTRIB: This command is used to recover hidden, read-only, and system files.

DISKPART: A powerful disk partition management tool, useful for recovering lost partitions.

SFC (System File Checker): Repairs corrupted system files, which may help in recovering some data.

XCOPY/ROBOCOPY: These commands are used to copy files and directories, which can be useful in data recovery scenarios.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Data Using CMD

Step 1: Recover Deleted Files Using ATTRIB Command

If you suspect that your files are hidden or marked as system files, you can use the ATTRIB command to recover them.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Press Win + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.

Navigate to the Drive:

Use the cd command to navigate to the drive where the files were located. For example:

cd E:\

Run the ATTRIB Command:

Use the following command to recover hidden, read-only, and system files:

bash

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attrib -h -r -s /s /d *.*

Explanation:

-h: Clears the Hidden file attribute.

-r: Clears the Read-only file attribute.

-s: Clears the System file attribute.

/s: Applies the command to all files in the directory and subdirectories.

/d: Applies the command to directories as well.

Check the Recovered Files:

After running the command, check if the deleted files are restored in their original location.

Step 2: Repair Corrupted Files Using CHKDSK Command

CHKDSK (Check Disk) is useful for repairing file system corruption, which can lead to data recovery.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Run CHKDSK on the Affected Drive:

Use the following command to check the disk for errors and repair them:

chkdsk E: /f /r /x

Explanation:

E:: The drive letter where you want to run CHKDSK.

/f: Fixes any found errors.

/r: Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

/x: Forces the volume to dismount before the process starts.

Review the Results:

CHKDSK will scan and repair the disk. Review the output for details on any errors found and fixed.

Check for Recovered Files:

After CHKDSK completes, check if the previously inaccessible files are now available.

Step 3: Recover Lost Partitions Using DISKPART

DISKPART can help recover lost or deleted partitions.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Launch DISKPART:

Type diskpart and press Enter.

List the Available Disks:

Use the following command to list all disks:

list disk

Select the Affected Disk:

Identify the disk number of the affected disk and select it:

select disk X

Replace X with the appropriate disk number.

List Partitions:

Use the following command to list partitions:

list partition

Recover the Lost Partition:

If a partition is missing, you may need to use a third-party tool to recover it, as DISKPART itself doesn’t offer a direct command for partition recovery. However, DISKPART can be used to create and manage partitions.

Step 4: Repair System Files Using SFC Command

If system files are corrupted, the SFC command can help repair them.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Run the SFC Command:

Use the following command to scan and repair system files:

sfc /scannow

The command will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted ones with a cached copy.

Review the Results:

After the scan completes, review the output for details on any repairs made.

Check for Data Recovery:

In some cases, repairing system files can resolve issues that were preventing access to certain files.

Step 5: Copy Files Using XCOPY or ROBOCOPY

If you need to recover data from a damaged or inaccessible drive, XCOPY or ROBOCOPY can help copy files to another location.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Use XCOPY Command:

Use the following command to copy files:

xcopy E:\*.* D:\Recovery\ /s /e /h /i

Explanation:

E:\*.*: Source directory (replace E: with the affected drive).

D:\Recovery\: Destination directory.

/s: Copies directories and subdirectories except empty ones.

/e: Copies all subdirectories, including empty ones.

/h: Copies hidden and system files.

/i: If destination does not exist, assumes it’s a directory.

Use ROBOCOPY Command:

Alternatively, you can use ROBOCOPY for more advanced copying:

robocopy E:\ D:\Recovery\ /mir /sec /r:0 /w:0

Explanation:

/mir: Mirrors the directory (copies all files and deletes any files not in the source).

/sec: Copies all security information (ACLs).

/r:0: Sets the number of retries on failed copies to 0.

/w:0: Sets the wait time between retries to 0 seconds.

Review the Copied Files:

Check the destination directory to ensure that all files were copied successfully.

5. Limitations of CMD Data Recovery

While Command Prompt is a powerful tool, it has limitations:

No GUI Interface: The lack of a graphical interface makes it less user-friendly.

Limited Functionality: CMD commands are primarily for basic file recovery and disk repairs. They may not recover complex data loss scenarios.

Risk of Data Overwriting: Incorrect commands can lead to further data loss or overwrite existing data.

6. When to Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If CMD methods do not recover your data, or if the situation is too complex (e.g., deep disk corruption, RAID recovery, etc.), it’s advisable to use professional data recovery software. Panda Assistant, for instance, offers comprehensive data recovery solutions that can handle more complex scenarios and provide a user-friendly interface for recovery.

Recovering data using Windows 10 Command Prompt can be effective for basic data loss scenarios such as hidden files, file system corruption, and accidental deletions. The key tools ATTRIB, CHKDSK, DISKPART, SFC, and XCOPY/ROBOCOPY offer robust solutions for different aspects of data recovery. However, for more complex cases, professional data recovery software is recommended.