How to recover external hard drive deleted files​？

​To recover deleted files from an external hard drive, it is essential to take a methodical approach, avoiding actions that could overwrite the lost data. This process can range from simple file recovery techniques to using specialized software or professional data recovery services, depending on the severity of the issue and the tools at your disposal. 

External hard drives are commonly used for storing important data, from personal documents and photos to professional work and backups. However, data loss can happen at any time due to accidental deletion, drive corruption, or other unforeseen circumstances. When files are deleted from an external hard drive, they are typically not immediately erased from the physical storage device. Instead, the space they occupy is marked as available for reuse, which means that unless the space is overwritten by new data, recovery may still be possible.

Chapter 1: Understanding the Data Deletion Process

Before diving into recovery techniques, it is important to understand how data deletion works. When you delete a file, it’s not immediately removed from the external hard drive. Instead, the operating system simply removes the file’s reference from the file system, making it invisible and allowing the space it occupies to be marked as free for new data. Until that space is overwritten, the deleted file may still be recoverable.

In the case of an external hard drive, the same concept applies. The operating system will update the file allocation table (FAT) or master file table (MFT) to reflect the deletion, but the actual data remains intact until it is overwritten by new files.

Key Considerations:

Deleted Files Are Not Gone: Until new data overwrites the old, the files remain recoverable.

Overwriting: The more you use the external hard drive after deletion, the higher the likelihood that your deleted files will be overwritten.

Types of Deletions: There are different ways files can be deleted (e.g., moving to the Recycle Bin or using “Shift + Delete”), but they all have the same effect on the data from the standpoint of recovery.

Chapter 2: Basic Troubleshooting for External Hard Drive Issues

Before attempting file recovery, it’s important to rule out other issues that might be causing problems with the external hard drive.

Check the Connection: Ensure that the external hard drive is properly connected to the computer. Try different USB ports or cables to rule out faulty connections.

Check for Drive Recognition: Go to your system’s Disk Management tool (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) to see if the drive is being recognized by the operating system. If not, there may be hardware issues or problems with the external drive’s formatting.

Try the Drive on Another Computer: If the external hard drive is not showing up, try connecting it to a different computer to check whether the issue is with the computer or the external drive itself.

Chapter 3: The First Step – Stop Using the Drive

The first rule in data recovery is to stop using the drive. Continuing to use the external hard drive after deleting files increases the chances of overwriting the space that your deleted files occupy. The more data you add or modify on the drive, the lower the chances of a successful recovery.

Disconnect the Drive: If you realize that you’ve deleted important files, immediately disconnect the external hard drive from your computer.

Do Not Save New Data: Avoid saving or installing new files on the drive, as this could overwrite the deleted data.

Chapter 4: Check the Recycle Bin or Trash

Before jumping into complex recovery methods, check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Many times, deleted files are simply moved to these folders, where they can be easily restored.

Windows: Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop, look for the deleted files, and restore them.

Mac: Open the Trash, and if the deleted files are there, simply drag them back to your desktop or another folder.

If the files are not in the Recycle Bin or Trash, it’s time to explore more advanced recovery methods.

Chapter 5: Use File Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is an advanced data recovery software developed by Panda Security, designed to help users recover lost or deleted files from various types of storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and external drives. Whether files have been accidentally deleted, lost due to system crashes, or corrupted, Panda Assistant aims to make the recovery process easy, efficient, and accessible for both novice and experienced users.

Features of Panda Assistant

Comprehensive File Recovery: Panda Assistant offers robust data recovery capabilities that support various file types, including documents, images, videos, music, and more. It scans storage devices for files that have been deleted or lost, regardless of the reason. Whether you’re dealing with accidental deletion, formatting errors, or partition loss, Panda Assistant provides a thorough recovery process.

User-Friendly Interface: One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its intuitive, easy-to-use interface. The software is designed with both beginners and advanced users in mind. The recovery process is simple: select the drive or partition to scan, choose the file types you wish to recover, and let the software do the rest. The user interface makes it easy to navigate through recovery options and preview recoverable files before restoring them.

Advanced Scanning Options: Panda Assistant includes both quick and deep scan modes to cater to different recovery needs. The quick scan targets recently deleted files, while the deep scan looks for files that have been deleted or lost over a longer period. The deep scan can also help recover files from formatted or damaged drives by performing a thorough examination of the disk sectors.

File Preview: Once the scanning process is complete, Panda Assistant allows users to preview recoverable files before restoring them. This feature is invaluable for ensuring that the correct files are selected for recovery, especially when dealing with large amounts of data or when file names may not be fully visible due to corruption.

Support for Multiple Devices: Panda Assistant supports a wide variety of storage devices, including hard drives, USB drives, external SSDs, SD cards, and other removable media. Whether you’re recovering data from a failed hard drive or a memory card, the software provides a consistent recovery process across different types of storage media.

Recovery from Corrupted or Formatted Drives: In addition to recovering files from deleted partitions, Panda Assistant can also help recover files from corrupted or formatted drives. If you’ve mistakenly formatted a drive or encountered partition issues, the software’s deep scan capabilities can help identify and recover lost data.

No Data Loss During Recovery: Panda Assistant ensures that the recovery process does not overwrite or damage any existing files on the drive. The software is designed to read data in a non-destructive manner, allowing users to safely restore lost files without further data loss.

Free and Paid Versions: Panda Assistant offers both a free version and a paid version with more advanced features. The free version allows for limited recovery, while the paid version unlocks full functionality, including the ability to recover larger files and access more advanced recovery tools.

Chapter 6: Professional Data Recovery Services

If you are unable to recover the deleted files using software, or if the external hard drive has become physically damaged (e.g., it won’t power on, makes unusual noises, or shows signs of hardware failure), it may be time to consult a professional data recovery service.

Data recovery professionals have specialized equipment and expertise to recover data from damaged or corrupted drives that cannot be fixed using conventional software tools.

Steps to Take:

Research Recovery Services: Look for reputable data recovery companies with experience in recovering data from external hard drives. Check reviews, certifications, and service guarantees.

Contact the Company: Reach out to the company to discuss the issue and get a quote for their services.

Send the Drive: In most cases, you will need to send your external hard drive to the company for evaluation.

Recovery Process: The recovery service will attempt to recover the data. The process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the issue.

Pay for the Service: If the recovery is successful, you will typically be charged based on the amount of data recovered, the complexity of the recovery, and the time involved.

Chapter 7: How to Avoid Data Loss in the Future

Once you have recovered your deleted files, it is important to implement best practices to prevent future data loss. Regular backups, a solid file management strategy, and safe data handling practices are key to keeping your data secure.

Create Regular Backups: Use cloud storage, an external backup drive, or both to create redundant backups of important data.

Enable Automatic Backups: Many operating systems offer built-in backup features, such as Windows File History or macOS Time Machine, to help automate the process.

Use File Versioning: Some cloud storage services offer file versioning, which allows you to access previous versions of files in case they are accidentally modified or deleted.