How to Recover Data from a Hard Drive: 4 Methods (with Pictures)

In the realm of Windows PCs, hard drives serve as the foundation for storing crucial data across various scenarios, be it personal files, work documents, or system applications. Although hard drives are generally reliable, unforeseen circumstances can lead to data loss, leaving users in a predicament. Losing data on a hard drive can be a stressful experience. Whether due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or software corruption, recovering vital information is of utmost importance.

We've crafted a comprehensive guide that offers practical solutions to help you recover data from your hard drive. From retrieving data from the Recycling Bin to professional recovery services, this article delves into step-by-step methods for hard drive data recovery. Let's dive in!

4 Ways to Recover Data from a Hard Drive

Several key factors influence the process of data recovery after it has been deleted from a hard drive. These include the assessment of when the deletion occurred, the condition of the storage medium, and the chosen recovery method. Understanding these elements is crucial for executing an effective data recovery strategy and maximizing the chances of successful retrieval.

If you have lost important data from your hard drive, it's crucial to explore various methods of hard drive data recovery. Here are some reliable ways to recover your lost data.

Method 1: Recover HDD Data from the Recycling Bin

The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage area for deleted files, providing a possible route for recovery should data be deleted by mistake. If you accidentally delete something and then realize your error, an immediate solution is to press Ctrl+Z to undo the action.

However, if the deletion took place earlier and cannot be undone, your solution lies in Recycle Bin recovery. Follow the steps below to get started:

Step 1: Click on the Recycle Bin on your desktop.

Step 2: Find the deleted file.

Step 3. Right-click on the file(s) you need and select “Restore” from the context menu.

Step 4: After selecting the file, it returns immediately to its original location.

Important: Trash Restore can help you recover files that were accidentally deleted. However, this method won't work for files that have been permanently erased. Fortunately, there are other ways to recover lost data in this situation.

Method 2: Recover Data from the Hard Drive Using HDD Recovery Software

The process of deleting data from a hard drive follows a seemingly simple principle: remove the references to specific data, but leave the actual information in place until it is overwritten by new data. This basic concept underlies the possibility of data recovery, whereby specialist technologies and software can often retrieve lost or deleted files.

tools Data Recovery Wizard is a trustworthy solution for users who need to recover permanently deleted data from a Windows system hard drive. Employing advanced scanning algorithms, the tools disk recovery tool thoroughly scans storage devices, locating lost files even in the most complex scenarios. It allows for selective recovery and ensures the integrity of recovered data.

Main Features of tools Partition Master Wizard:

• Data recovery from damaged, formatted, faulty, crashed, or RAW hard drives
• Easily recover deleted files from a hard drive in just a few steps
• Supports recovery of various file types, such as images, videos, documents, emails, and more from hard disks

Three steps to recover data from a hard drive using the tools Data Recovery Wizard: 1. Download and install the tools Data Recovery Wizard software on your computer. 2. Connect your hard drive to the computer and ensure it is properly recognized by the system. 3. Launch the software, select the hard drive partition where you need to recover data, and click "Scan" to initiate the search for lost files. - The software will perform a quick scan and a deep scan to locate all recoverable files. 4. After the scan is complete, preview the found files to confirm if they are the ones you intend to recover. 5. Select the files you want to restore and click the "Recover" button to save them to a secure location. 6. Make sure not to save the recovered files back to the original hard drive to avoid overwriting any data. Please note that data recovery is not always 100% successful, especially if the hard drive has physical damage. It's always a good practice to back up important data before attempting recovery.

Step 1: Launch tools Data Recovery Wizard and start scanning the hard drive.

Launch tools Data Recovery Wizard. First, open the tools Data Recovery Wizard software on your Windows system. Select the hard drive from which you want to recover data, and click "Scan."

The software will quickly scan for recently deleted files. Then, a deep scan will do a more comprehensive search to find more of your data, including RAW files.

Select the hard drive to scan

Step 2: Choose the files you want to recover

Upon completing the scan, the software displays a list of recoverable files. It allows you to filter the search results by file type, date range, and other criteria, simplifying the recovery process and facilitating the retrieval of targeted files.

Step 3: Preview and recover the files

Preview the recoverable files, then click the “Recover” button to start the data recovery process. Choose a secure location to save the recovered files to avoid overwriting existing data.

Once the recovery process is completed, access the recovered files from the specified location and ensure their integrity before putting them to use.

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Method 3: Retrieve Data from a Hard Drive Using CMD

The Command Prompt, often referred to as CMD, gives users the ability to control the operating system with precise text commands. This functionality is invaluable when dealing with data loss due to hard drive failure or malware, which can make files on both internal and external drives invisible or inaccessible.

You can use the CHKDSK tool in CMD to repair a damaged disk and access its data. To recover files from a hard drive via CMD, follow these steps:

Step one: Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

Step 2: Press Win + R to open the “Run” program.

Step 3: Type cmd in the box that appears, and then click “OK.”

4. Type chkdsk C: /f /r /x and press Enter. Replace "C" with the drive letter of the hard drive partition you want to recover data from.

Method 4: Use a Hard Drive Recovery Service

If these methods do not work, or if the situation is complicated by the use of an external hard drive, it is advisable to seek professional data-recovery services.

When attempts to recover files using software fail multiple times, or when you need an expert to handle complex data recovery scenarios like disk reformatting, RAW drive issues, missing partitions, incorrect repartitioning, system boot failures, and virtual disk corruption, the Data Recovery Service becomes crucial. You can benefit from a free consultation and take advantage of our affordable, personalized manual recovery service tailored to your needs.

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Hard Drive Data Recovery Service

Click here to contact our experts for a free evaluation

Consult with our Data Recovery Experts for personalized manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Repair damaged RAID structures and virtual hard disk files
• Recover/fix lost partitions and repartitioned hard drives
• Unformat hard drive and fix RAW drives (Bitlocker encrypted drives)
• Fix hard drives that have become GPT protected partitions

Boasting extensive experience in various data recovery scenarios and global service coverage, including dedicated support in the US, the tool ensures seamless data retrieval from a variety of devices, such as HDDs, SSDs, servers, desktops, laptops, NAS systems, USB drives, and virtual environments.

Common Scenarios of Data Loss on Hard Drives

Here are some scenarios of data loss from a hard drive:

❌ File Deletion: This is one of the primary reasons for data loss from hard drives. It often happens unintentionally, such as by using the delete key or permanently removing files using the "Shift + Delete" combination. Emptying the Recycle Bin without checking further exacerbates the data loss, causing people to lose important files.

Formatting: Formatting is another common cause of data loss, especially during system reinstallation or when dealing with non-boot volumes or external storage devices. While formatting is usually done after backing up data, performing it without a safety net – whether by accident or on purpose – can lead to data loss and leave valuable information irrecoverable.

Hard-drive failure: A hard-drive crash is a scary reminder of how vulnerable data can be in the digital ecosystem, whether the result of a system-wide software malfunction that triggers the infamous blue screen of death (BSOD) or an application freeze that wipes out unsaved progress.

Hard drive failure: This can take many forms, such as corruption of the master boot record or boot configuration data on an internal drive, or a external drive appearing in Disk Management as RAW due to a corrupted file system. Causes can include power surges, malware attacks, improper ejection of a device, or an interrupted save operation, underscoring the multiplicity of threats.

Hardware failures: These increase the risk of premature loss of data through mishandling, power surges, or environmental hazards such as fire or flood.

Staying calm in the event of a data loss, whether because of one of these scenarios or some other accident, is essential.

Following these steps can pave the way for the recovery of data from hard disks, limit the damage, and restore order to the digital chaos.

Tips for Successful Hard Drive Data Recovery

Also, keep in mind the following practical guidelines to maximize the chances of successful data recovery:

• Stop using it immediately: As soon as you realize that important data is missing from an external hard drive, stop using it immediately. Continuing to use the drive increases the risk of overwriting the data, which could make recovery impossible.
• Avoid formatting: While formatting can address some disk issues, it worsens the situation when it comes to data loss. Formatting marks all storage space as free and starts creating a new partition table, making it much harder to recover deleted files.
• Handle repairs with care: Do not attempt to fix the hard drive yourself. The process is complex and prone to errors. It's advisable to be cautious. Many data recovery software providers recommend creating a full backup of the hard drive before starting any repair work to minimize potential risks.

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Conclusions

Protecting data is crucial to prevent loss due to accidental deletion or hardware failures. However, the process of data recovery can be seamless and efficient with tools like Data Recovery Wizard. Remember, proactive measures such as regular backups are vital for data security.