How to recover deleted data from external hard drive​？

I. Recovering Deleted Data from an External Hard Drive

Data loss from an external hard drive can be a distressing experience. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attack, or hardware failure, there are often ways to attempt to retrieve the lost data.

II. Reasons for Data Loss from External Hard Drives

Accidental Deletion: One of the most common reasons is when users accidentally select and delete files or folders. This can happen due to hasty actions, misclicks, or misunderstanding of the file management system. For example, a user might be trying to clean up some old files and accidentally delete important documents instead of the intended junk files.

Formatting: Sometimes, users may format the external hard drive thinking that it’s a way to solve a problem such as a virus infection or to prepare it for a new use. However, formatting erases all the data on the drive, unless it’s a quick format which may leave some data remnants recoverable.

Virus and Malware Attacks: Viruses and malware can corrupt or delete data on an external hard drive. These malicious programs can target specific file types, overwrite data, or even encrypt it, making it inaccessible. For instance, ransomware can encrypt all the files on a drive and demand a ransom for the decryption key.

Hardware Failure: Physical damage to the external hard drive such as a damaged read – write head, a faulty circuit board, or problems with the disk platters can lead to data loss. A dropped external hard drive or exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture are common causes of hardware – related data loss.

III. Precautions Before Data Recovery

Stop Using the Drive Immediately: As soon as you realize data has been deleted, stop using the external hard drive. Every time you write new data to the drive, you risk overwriting the deleted data. For example, if you continue to save new files or install software on the drive, the sectors where the deleted data was stored may be used for the new data, making recovery more difficult or even impossible.

Backup Any Existing Data (if possible): If the external hard drive still has some accessible data that you want to keep safe, it’s a good idea to back it up to another storage device. This can be done using a USB flash drive, another external hard drive, or a cloud – based storage service. However, be very careful when copying data to avoid overwriting the deleted data.

Check for Physical Damage: Inspect the external hard drive for any signs of physical damage such as cracks, dents, or loose connections. If there is physical damage, it’s important to handle the drive carefully to avoid further damage. In some cases, professional data recovery services may be required for physically damaged drives.

IV. Software – Based Data Recovery Methods

Using Built – in Windows Recovery Options (for Windows Users)

Previous Versions: Windows has a feature called “Previous Versions” which can be used to restore files and folders that have been deleted or modified. To access this feature, right – click on the folder where the deleted files were located (assuming the drive is connected to a Windows computer) and select “Restore previous versions.” Windows will then show a list of available previous versions of the folder that can be restored. This feature works by keeping track of changes made to files and folders over time and allows you to roll back to an earlier state.

Recycle Bin: If the files were deleted recently and the external hard drive is set up to send deleted files to the Recycle Bin, you can simply open the Recycle Bin, locate the deleted files, and restore them. However, if the Recycle Bin has been emptied or the option to send deleted files to the Recycle Bin was disabled, this method won’t work.

Using Third – Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a versatile and intuitive data recovery software designed to help users retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted files from a variety of devices, including hard drives, SD cards, USB drives, and more. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important documents, lost files due to a system crash, or experienced corruption, Panda Assistant offers a user-friendly solution for restoring your data.

One of its key features is the ability to recover a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, and audio files. The software supports various file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32. exFAT, and HFS+, making it suitable for both Windows and Mac users. This cross-platform support ensures that users can recover data from a variety of devices and storage formats, whether it’s a Windows PC, Mac, or external storage media.

V. Considerations for Complex Data Recovery Situations

Encrypted Data: If the data on the external hard drive was encrypted and you have lost the decryption key, recovering the data can be extremely difficult. Some data recovery software may claim to handle encrypted data, but in most cases, without the proper key, the data will remain inaccessible. In such situations, it’s important to check if you have any backup of the decryption key or if there are any other means of retrieving it, such as through a password manager.

Formatted Drives: Recovering data from a formatted drive can be more challenging than from a simply deleted – file scenario. When a drive is formatted, the file system information is rewritten. However, as mentioned earlier, a quick format may not completely erase all the data. Data recovery software can still often find and reconstruct files from a formatted drive, but the success rate may be lower than for a non – formatted drive.

Partition – Related Issues: If the external hard drive’s partition table is damaged or corrupted, it can lead to data loss or inaccessibility. The partition table contains information about the layout of the drive’s partitions and where each partition starts and ends. Some data recovery software can repair partition tables and attempt to recover data from affected partitions. However, this is a more complex process and may require a more advanced understanding of disk management and data recovery techniques.

VI. Professional Data Recovery Services

When to Consider Professional Services: If you have tried all the software – based methods and still cannot recover your data, or if the external hard drive has severe physical damage, it may be time to consider professional data recovery services. Professional services have specialized equipment and expertise to handle complex data recovery situations such as recovering data from a physically damaged hard drive with a damaged read – write head or a drive that has been exposed to water or fire.

What to Expect from Professional Services: Professional data recovery services will typically assess the condition of your external hard drive first. They may ask you questions about how the data was lost, the type of data on the drive, and any previous attempts at recovery. Then, they will provide you with an estimate of the cost and the likelihood of successful recovery. The cost of professional data recovery can vary widely depending on the complexity of the problem, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.