[Solved] Recover Data from Ext4/3/2 NAS/Linux Device

What Is Ext4 Used for? Ext4, short for Fourth Extended File System, is a widely used file system in Linux operating systems. It was designed as an improvement over its predecessor, Ext3, to provide better performance, reliability, and larger storage capacity. Here's a breakdown of what Ext4 is used for: 1. **File Storage**: The primary function of Ext4 is to store and manage files and directories on a Linux-based system. It organizes data into blocks and manages the allocation of these blocks to different files. 2. **Faster Boot Times**: Ext4 introduces features that speed up the boot process, such as delayed allocation, which helps reduce the time taken to write data to the disk during system startup. 3. **Large File Support**: It supports files up to 16 terabytes in size and can handle up to 16 million directories per file system, making it suitable for large-scale data storage and management. 4. **Journaling**: Ext4 uses journaling to ensure data integrity. In case of a system crash, the journal helps in quickly recovering the file system to a consistent state, minimizing the risk of data loss. 5. **Performance Enhancements**: Features like extents (which store large files in a contiguous manner), faster file creation and deletion, and improved multi-threading support contribute to better overall performance compared to Ext3. 6. **Snapshot Support**: Although not built-in, Ext4 can be used with tools like LVM (Logical Volume Manager) or Btrfs snapshots to create point-in-time copies of the file system for backup or recovery purposes. 7. **Ease of Use**: Ext4 is compatible with most Linux distributions and is often the default file system choice during installation, making it user-friendly for both beginners and experienced Linux users. In summary, Ext4 is a robust, efficient, and reliable file system that serves as the backbone of data storage and management in Linux environments, catering to a wide range of use cases from personal computers to large-scale enterprise servers.

Ext4 is the evolved form of the most widely used Linux file system, Ext3. In many aspects, Ext4 represents a more substantial improvement over Ext3 than Ext3 did over Ext2. While Ext3 primarily introduced journaling to Ext2, Ext4 makes significant modifications to crucial data structures of the file system, such as those responsible for storing file data. These changes result in a file system with an enhanced design, superior performance, increased reliability, and additional features. (Taken from ArchWiki - https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ext4)

EXT4 ensures that file system metadata is correctly written and ordered on your storage device. When write caches lose power, there can be a performance impact on your disk, particularly for applications. In such scenarios, you encounter EXT4 devices.

• You are utilizing a NAS server, and the disks typically employ Ext4 or BTRFS file systems.
• You are working with a database that requires Ext4 for optimal performance.
• Your operating system is Linux, and disks are generally formatted as Ext4.
• You are using QNAP or Synology NAS devices...

In a nutshell, the Ext4 file system is commonly utilized when using Network Attached Storage or while operating Linux systems. Many users report that they experience data loss on their NAS due to accidental deletion, formatting, or issues with the Ext4 file system. To address these issues and recover Ext4 data, this article presents two comprehensive solutions.

Part 1. Recover Data from Ext4 NAS Device in Windows 11/10

Regardless of whether you're using QNAP, Synology, Western Digital, NETGEAR, or any other brand, the file system on these devices is typically Ext4. Occasionally, you might accidentally delete files from your NAS or format it while upgrading to a larger capacity. How can you recover data from your NAS Ext4 drives? RAID recovery software can come in handy for this purpose.

This Data Recovery Wizard tool is capable of recovering not only the files you accidentally deleted recently but also those that were removed a long time ago. It can also restore corrupted files and access and retrieve information from an inaccessible drive. It safeguards your deleted or damaged data and offers several handy features.

The Benefits of NAS Data Recovery Tools

• No Pull-Disk Out
• No RAID Reconstruction
• No Downtime Required

"NAS Data Recovery tools provide real-time recovery at any time without interrupting the NAS server. Follow the steps below to recover Ext4 data from NAS." Here's a more detailed explanation for better understanding: 1. **Identify the NAS Device**: First, identify the Network Attached Storage (NAS) device from which you need to recover the Ext4 data. Ensure it is powered on and connected to your network. 2. **Download and Install Recovery Software**: Look for a reliable NAS Data Recovery tool that supports Ext4 file system. Download and install it on a computer that has direct access to the NAS device. 3. **Connect to NAS**: Connect to the NAS device through the software, either by entering its IP address or using network credentials. Follow the software's instructions for establishing the connection. 4. **Scan the NAS Volume**: Once connected, initiate a deep scan of the Ext4 volume on the NAS. This will help the software locate and list all lost, deleted, or corrupted files. 5. **Preview and Select Files**: As the scan completes, you'll be able to preview the recoverable files. Select the ones you want to recover, ensuring they are the correct files. 6. **Start Recovery Process**: Choose a safe location on your local computer or another storage device to save the recovered files. Do not save them back to the NAS to avoid overwriting any existing data. 7. **Monitor and Complete Recovery**: The recovery process will start, and you can monitor its progress. Once completed, verify the recovered files to ensure they are intact. 8. **Restore to NAS (Optional)**: If needed, copy the recovered files back to the NAS device after ensuring it is in a stable state and no data loss may occur during the transfer. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Regularly backup your important data to avoid the need for data recovery in the future.

Step 1. Select a NAS server and start the recovery process.

Download and install the tool "Data Recovery Wizard" on your Windows 11/10 64-bit computer. Upon launching the software, select "NAS Recovery". The software will automatically list all connected NAS servers; select the target NAS device and click "Scan".

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Step 2. Enable the SSH service on the NAS server.

Navigate to "Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP," and enable the "SSH service" option. Note the port number for remote access. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard and proceed by clicking "Next."

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Step 3. Connect to the NAS server remotely. Connect to the Network Attached Storage (NAS) server from a different device or location outside of your local network. This can typically be done using a web interface, an application, or by mapping the NAS as a network drive on your computer. Follow these general steps: 1. **Ensure the NAS is connected to the internet**: Make sure your NAS device is connected to the internet, either through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. It should have a stable connection for remote access. 2. **Enable Remote Access:** Log in to the NAS management interface, usually found by entering the device's IP address into a web browser. The default IP is often provided in the user manual or on a label on the NAS itself. Once logged in, navigate to the "Remote Access" or "Network Settings" section and enable remote connectivity. You might need to configure port forwarding on your router if the NAS uses specific ports for remote connections. 3. **Set up User Accounts and Authentication:** If necessary, create user accounts with appropriate permissions for remote access. Most NAS devices support user authentication, so ensure you have a strong password for security. 4. **Use a Remote Access Application:** Many NAS manufacturers provide dedicated applications for remote access, such as QNAP's Qfile, Synology's DSM, or WD's My Cloud. Download and install the app on your device (smartphone, tablet, or computer), then log in using your NAS credentials. 5. **Map Network Drive (Windows):** If you prefer a more direct file system access, Windows users can map the NAS as a network drive. In File Explorer, click "Map network drive," enter the NAS's address (e.g., \\nasdevice\public) and use your login credentials. 6. **Access via Web Interface:** Some NAS devices offer a web-based file explorer that can be accessed through any modern web browser. Use the NAS's IP address or assigned domain name followed by the port number (if required) in your browser's address bar. 7. **Secure Your Connection:** For added security, consider using Secure FTP (SFTP), File Transfer Protocol over SSL (FTPS), or WebDAV with HTTPS. These protocols encrypt your data during transfer. Remember to always keep your NAS firmware and applications up-to-date to maintain optimal performance and security.

This software will automatically detect your IP address and Port. All you need to do is enter the username and password. If the IP address or Port is incorrect, you can manually adjust it. Afterwards, click "Connect Now."

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Step 4. Recover Lost/Deleted NAS Data

Then, the data recovery tool will connect to your NAS and initiate a NAS device scan. Following the scan, you will be able to view all the deleted, lost, or existing files on your NAS server.

You can utilize the "Filter" function or opt for the "Search files or folders" option to locate the missing files on the hard drive. Select the desired NAS files that you lost on the server and click "Recover" to save them to a different location.

Click the "Recover" button to retrieve deleted NAS files.

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Part 2. Restore Data from Linux Ext4/3/2 Partition in Windows 10

What if you experience data loss from Ext4, Ext3, or Ext2 Linux partitions due to accidental deletion or other actions? The simplest way to recover data from Ext4, Ext3, and Ext2 Linux partitions on Windows 11/10/8/7 is by using reliable data recovery software. Although there are numerous data recovery tools available in the market, many of them do not support the Ext4 file system, rendering data recovery from Ext4 unfeasible with such software.

Although tools like Data Recovery Wizard can cater to your needs for retrieving Linux Ext4 data on a Windows computer, to recover data from Ext4, Ext3, and Ext2 Linux partitions on Windows, you need to follow these steps:

1. Download and install the tool Data Recovery Wizard on your Windows computer. 2. Connect the hard drive with the Ext4 partition to the Windows computer. 3. Follow these simple steps below:

Step 1. Run the Data Recovery Wizard tool. Select the partition where the lost files were stored and click "Scan". The tool supports partition recovery for file systems including FAT (FAT12, FAT16, FAT32), exFAT, NTFS, NTFS5, ext2, ext3, HFS+, and ReFS.

Step 2. If you want to quickly locate the lost data from the numerous scan results, you can utilize the filter or search function.

Step 3. You can preview files before recovery. Then, select all desired data and click "Recover" to restore files from existing partitions. Do not save the files to the partition where you lost the data.

Conclusion

Accessing and recovering Linux Ext4 data on a Windows computer can be easily accomplished with a fast and reliable data recovery tool. Linux inherently supports Windows NTFS partitions, but this means the Windows operating system is unable to directly read the Linux partition. Consequently, having a dedicated data recovery software is essential for this purpose. If you continue to encounter issues, you may consider seeking assistance from a manual RAID recovery service.

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