Recover external hard drive deleted files​

I. Recovering Deleted Files from an External Hard Drive

Losing important files from an external hard drive can be a distressing experience. Whether it’s due to accidental deletion, a virus attack, or a hardware malfunction, the good news is that in many cases, these files can be recovered.

II. Understanding File Deletion on External Hard Drives

When you delete a file from an external hard drive, it’s not actually erased immediately. The operating system simply marks the space occupied by the file as available for new data to be written. This means that until new data overwrites the space where the deleted file was stored, there’s a good chance of recovery.

However, if you continue to use the external hard drive and save new files, the likelihood of overwriting the deleted files increases. For example, if you delete a 1GB video file and then start downloading a 2GB software package onto the same drive, there’s a high probability that the space where the video file was will be used and the video file will be lost forever.

III. Initial Steps Before Recovery

Stop Using the Drive Immediately

As soon as you realize that files have been deleted, it’s crucial to stop using the external hard drive. Every read and write operation you perform on the drive after deletion increases the risk of overwriting the deleted files.

Unplug the drive from your computer if possible. If it’s a drive that’s constantly connected, such as an external network – attached storage (NAS), try to pause any ongoing operations and limit access to it as much as possible.

Identify the Type of Files Lost

Determine the types of files that were deleted. This could include documents (such as Word, Excel, or PDF files), media files (photos, videos, music), or executable files. Knowing the file types can help you choose the most appropriate recovery tool.

For example, if you lost a lot of RAW photo files, you might want to look for a recovery tool that specializes in handling such high – quality image formats.

Check for Backups

Before attempting any complex recovery procedures, check if you have a backup of the files. This could be on another external drive, a cloud storage service (like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive), or a local network backup.

If you have a recent backup, you may be able to restore the files easily without the need for data recovery software.

IV. Using Built – in Operating System Tools for Recovery

Windows Operating System

Previous Versions Feature

Windows has a “Previous Versions” feature that can be used to recover deleted files. This feature works by taking snapshots of files and folders at different times. To access it, right – click on the folder where the deleted files were located (on the external hard drive) and select “Restore previous versions.”

However, this feature may not always be available, especially if the system has not been configured to create such snapshots or if the drive is not formatted in a way that supports it (for example, if it’s an exFAT – formatted drive and the computer is an older Windows version that doesn’t fully support exFAT Previous Versions).

Recycle Bin

If the files were deleted from the external hard drive and the drive letter was associated with the Recycle Bin (this is an option that can be configured in Windows), the files may be in the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin and look for the deleted files. You can then restore them to their original location on the external hard drive.

Mac Operating System

Time Machine

Mac’s Time Machine is a powerful backup and recovery tool. If you have been using Time Machine to back up your external hard drive, you can easily restore deleted files. Connect the external hard drive to the Mac and open Time Machine. Navigate through the backup history to find the point in time when the files were still present and restore them.

The downside of Time Machine is that it requires you to have set up and regularly used it for backups. If you haven’t, it won’t be of much help for file recovery.

V. Third – Party Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a cutting-edge data recovery software designed to help users effortlessly recover lost, deleted, or corrupted files from a wide range of storage devices. Whether it’s a hard drive, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, or external storage, Panda Assistant ensures that data recovery is both efficient and effective. The software is particularly useful for situations where files have been accidentally deleted, lost due to system crashes, or corrupted due to software issues or hardware failures.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its simple, user-friendly interface. Even users without technical expertise can easily navigate the software to initiate a data recovery process. The software scans your device thoroughly to locate recoverable files, offering different recovery modes to cater to specific needs. Whether you’re looking for deleted documents, photos, videos, or other types of files, Panda Assistant can recover a variety of formats with high accuracy.

VI. Professional Data Recovery Services

In some cases, when the data loss is severe, such as due to physical damage to the external hard drive (e.g., a dropped hard drive with a damaged read – write head), or if the data is encrypted and you don’t have the encryption key, it may be necessary to seek professional data recovery services.

These services have specialized equipment and clean rooms to handle damaged hard drives. They can often recover data that seems lost due to physical damage. However, they can be quite expensive, with costs ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the recovery job.

VII. Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss

Regular Backups

Set up a regular backup schedule for your external hard drive. You can use software – based backup solutions like the ones mentioned earlier (Time Machine for Mac or Windows Backup), or you can use external backup devices such as additional external hard drives or network – attached storage (NAS).

For example, you could schedule a weekly full backup of your external hard drive and a daily incremental backup to ensure that you always have up – to – date copies of your files.

Use Antivirus Software

Install and regularly update antivirus software on your computer that also scans external hard drives. Viruses and malware can cause data loss by deleting or corrupting files. A good antivirus program can detect and prevent such threats.

Some antivirus software also offers features like ransomware protection, which can be crucial in protecting your data from being held hostage by cybercriminals.

Handle the Drive with Care

Physical damage to the external hard drive can lead to data loss. Always handle the drive gently, avoid dropping it, and keep it in a cool and dry place. If you’re traveling with the drive, make sure it’s well – protected in a padded case.