How to recover deleted files from external hard disk？

​External hard disks are widely used for storing large amounts of data, serving as backup drives, or even as portable storage devices for transferring files. Despite the reliability of external hard drives, accidental deletion of files remains one of the most common problems users face. Whether files are deleted by mistake, lost due to a system error, or the drive becomes corrupted, there are several ways to attempt recovery.

1. File Deletion on an External Hard Disk

When files are deleted from an external hard disk, they are not immediately erased from the disk. Instead, the space that was occupied by the files is marked as available for new data to be written over it. Until this happens, it is often possible to recover deleted files using the right tools and techniques.

However, it’s important to understand that:

Quick Deletion: In most cases, files are sent to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac), and can be restored easily.

Permanent Deletion: When files are deleted from the Recycle Bin or the Trash, the data may still be recoverable until the space is overwritten.

Corruption and Format Issues: Sometimes, external hard disks become corrupted due to system errors, malware attacks, or improper ejection. In such cases, recovery might involve more complex methods.

Understanding how files are stored and deleted on your external hard disk will help you choose the most appropriate recovery method.

2. Basic Methods for Recovering Deleted Files

Checking the Recycle Bin (Windows)

The first thing to do when files are deleted from an external hard disk is to check the Recycle Bin (on Windows). Deleted files are often temporarily stored there before being permanently erased. Here’s how to check:

Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.

Look for the deleted files that you want to recover.

Right-click the file you want to restore and select Restore.

The file will be restored to its original location on the external hard disk.

Using File History (Windows)

If you have File History set up on your Windows computer, you can recover previous versions of files that were stored on your external hard disk. Here’s how to use File History to recover deleted files:

Connect the external hard disk to your computer.

Open the folder where the deleted file was originally stored.

Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.

A list of available versions will appear. Choose the version you want to restore, and click Restore.

Using Time Machine (Mac)

For Mac users, Time Machine is a built-in backup tool that can help recover deleted files. Here’s how to use it:

Connect the external hard disk to your Mac.

Open the Time Machine app by clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and selecting Enter Time Machine.

Browse the timeline and locate the version of the folder or file you want to recover.

Click Restore to bring the file back to its original location.

These methods are ideal for recovering files that have been recently deleted, and they are also the easiest to execute.

3. Advanced Recovery Methods

Panda Assistant is a comprehensive software solution designed to help users recover lost or deleted data from various storage devices, including hard drives, external hard disks, SD cards, and USB drives. It’s particularly useful for individuals who have accidentally deleted files, experienced system crashes, or encountered corrupted drives. Panda Assistant is easy to use, even for non-technical users, offering a straightforward interface and guided recovery process.

With Panda Assistant, users can recover a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, and even system files. The software uses advanced scanning algorithms to search for traces of deleted files, even from formatted or corrupted drives. Once the scan is complete, users can preview the recovered files before restoring them, ensuring they recover exactly what they need.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ability to perform deep scans for hard-to-reach files. It supports multiple file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and more, making it versatile for different devices and operating systems. Additionally, Panda Assistant provides support for external devices like USB drives, memory cards, and other portable storage options, offering a wide range of recovery possibilities.

For added convenience, Panda Assistant allows users to pause and resume scans, giving them flexibility in the recovery process. Its recovery wizard guides users through each step, ensuring that even those with little technical knowledge can perform effective data recovery. Overall, Panda Assistant is a reliable, user-friendly tool for anyone looking to recover lost files from their storage devices.

4. Using Professional Data Recovery Services

If all else fails and the external hard disk is physically damaged or the data seems unrecoverable, it may be time to turn to professional data recovery services. These services have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from hard drives that have suffered physical damage, severe corruption, or other issues that make DIY recovery impossible.

What to expect from professional services:

Initial Diagnosis: The service will evaluate the damage to the external hard disk and provide an estimate for recovery.

Data Recovery Process: If you approve the estimate, the service will use professional-grade tools to recover the data. This could include working with clean rooms for drives with physical damage.

Data Delivery: Once the recovery is complete, the service will transfer the recovered files to a new storage device (usually an external hard disk or a cloud storage solution).

Keep in mind that professional recovery services can be expensive, so it’s best to weigh the value of the data against the cost of recovery.

5. Preventing Future Data Loss

To avoid the need for data recovery in the future, consider these best practices:

Regular Backups: Always maintain regular backups of your external hard disk to another storage device or cloud service.

Use File Versioning: Enable versioning on your storage system, whether through File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac), so that you can roll back to earlier versions of your files.

Avoid Using the Disk After Deletion: Once you’ve realized that files have been deleted, minimize usage of the external hard disk to prevent overwriting.

Eject the Drive Properly: Always eject your external hard disk safely from your computer to avoid corruption.

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