Losing important data can be a frustrating, even devastating experience. Whether you accidentally deleted crucial files or are dealing with a hard drive failure, the pain of lost disk data is all too real. Fortunately, hard drive recovery is often possible. You can recover files from a hard drive with or without software, depending on the cause of your data loss.

4 Common Causes of Data Loss from Hard Drives

Data loss from hard drives can be caused by various reasons. Some fail due to physical damage, while others might suffer from logical damage. Hard drives can also be damaged by software errors or malware. Here are some common causes of data loss on hard drives: 1. Hardware failure: Issues with mechanical components such as the read/write heads, motor, or circuit board can lead to data loss. 2. Sudden power outage: A sudden shutdown during a read or write process can corrupt the file system, making data inaccessible. 3. System crashes or blue screens: Operating system errors or unstable drivers may cause system crashes, resulting in data loss. 4. Accidental deletion or formatting: Unintentionally deleting crucial files or formatting the hard drive can make data vanish instantly. 5. Virus or malware attacks: Viruses and malware can damage the file system, delete, or encrypt data, leading to data loss. 6. Bad sectors: Defective sectors on the hard drive can hinder proper data retrieval, potentially causing data loss over time. 7. RAID array failure: Hardware or software issues with a RAID system can result in data loss across the entire array. 8. Human error: Incorrect actions during data migration, backup, or recovery processes can lead to data loss. 9. High humidity or temperature: Unsuitable storage conditions can damage hard drive components and compromise data integrity. 10. Software conflicts: Installing or uninstalling software may cause conflicts with existing applications, affecting data. These are just some common causes of data loss on hard drives; there could be other complex factors in real scenarios. To prevent data loss, regular backups and reliable security measures are crucial.

Hard Drive Formatting

There are several ways you can lose data from a hard drive. One of them is through hard drive formatting. When you format a hard drive, all the data on it is erased. This could be due to accidentally formatting the wrong drive or intentionally formatting the drive to clean or prepare it for use. Once the data is lost, it can be difficult to perform formatted hard drive recovery.

Recover Files from Formatted Hard Drive

Accidental Deletion

Another way data loss from a hard drive can occur is through deletion. This refers to when a user accidentally removes a file or folder from the hard drive. Deleting a file from a hard drive doesn't actually erase the data; it just marks that space as available for overwriting. However, if you continue using the hard drive without rewriting over the deleted files, you can use specialized software to recover that data.

Hard drive failure/damage

Hard drive failure is one of the most common ways people lose their data. When a hard drive fails, the computer can no longer access it, making all the data stored on it inaccessible. This could be due to improper shutdown, bad sectors, or a malware infection. Logical damage/failure can often be repaired using data recovery software. Physical damage, however, requires the expertise of a professional data recovery service. You'll need to seek assistance from experts for the recovery of data from a damaged hard drive.

Recover Files from a Damaged Hard Drive

Software Bugs

Software errors can also lead to data loss from hard drives. These can occur due to damaged firmware on the hard drive or the accidental deletion of critical system files. Software errors can be fixed by reinstalling the operating system or the application.

Methods for Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Data Recovery

Data loss from an HDD can have severe consequences, whether due to hardware failure or a simple accidental deletion. Fortunately, HDD recovery is often possible. In many instances, specialized hard drive data recovery software can retrieve files from the hard disk. However, if the HDD is damaged or has crashed, it's advisable to opt for a professional hard drive recovery service. With their expertise and experience, they can quickly and safely restore your lost files.

Hard Drive (HDD) Data Recovery Services

Hard drive data recovery services are typically performed by a team of data recovery experts who physically open your hard disk drive in a dust-free environment and attempt to repair any damage that may have occurred. This is usually the most expensive option but also has the highest success rate. You might need hard drive data recovery services if any of the following apply to you:

    • Repair damaged RAID drives and recover data from NAS.
    • Repair corrupted virtual disk files (such as .vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx, etc.).
    • Undelete formatted hard drives.
    • Repair unbootable Windows operating systems, including Windows 10/8/7.
    • Repair corrupted RAW drives that need formatting (also supports BitLocker encrypted drives).
    • Recover/repair lost partitions and repartitioned drives (when software recovery is not an option).

In other words, data recovery services are the process of salvaging data from failed, damaged, or corrupted storage devices. When using a hard drive data recovery service, you will need to send your drive to the facility, where they will use specialized equipment in a clean room environment to recover it. There are currently five best HDD recovery services that can help with your hard drive data loss issues. These include Ontrack HDD Recovery, Secure Data Recovery Services, SALVAGEDATA Data Recovery Services, Stellar Data Recovery Lab-Services, and Manual Data Recovery with Data Recovery Wizard Pro.

Hard Drive Recovery Software

On the other hand, Data Recovery Wizard is a do-it-yourself solution that uses specialized software to scan your hard drive for recoverable data. This option is usually much cheaper than a hard drive data recovery service but has a lower success rate. If you have some technical knowledge, you can attempt to recover your data using data recovery software.

    • Recover lost files after deletion or emptying the Recycle Bin.
    • Data loss due to accidental formatting of the hard drive.
    • The hard drive turns into "RAW" format or encounters some software errors.
    • Run GPT partition recovery or MBR partition recovery with just a few clicks.

Comparison between Hard Drive Recovery Software and HDD Data Recovery Services

Hard drive data recovery services and hard drive recovery software are two common methods used for retrieving lost data. But what's the difference between them, and which one is best suited for you? Check out the comparison table below for more information.

Comparison Items Hard Drive Recovery Software Hard Drive Recovery Service
Cost of Hard Drive Recovery Cheap Expensive
Recovery Guarantee None Yes
Executor Yourself Experts
Process Time-consuming Simple
Supported Devices Internal/External HDD, Portable HDD, SSD, USB, etc. Almost all
Supported Brands Western Digital, Seagate, Sony, Toshiba, SanDisk, etc. Almost all
Supported File Systems FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, etc. Almost all

If you have invaluable data that can't be lost, a hard drive data recovery service might be your best bet. However, if you're trying to recover less important data or are on a tight budget, a hard drive recovery software is worth a shot.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Hard Drive in Windows 10

So, what do you do when all your files go missing from your hard drive? Well, if you're using Windows 10, there are a few different ways you can recover files from a hard drive.

Method 1: Recover HDD Data from Recycling Bin

Firstly, you should try checking the Recycle Bin. Normally, deleted files go to the Recycle Bin in Windows 10. You can directly perform a Recycle Bin recovery to get back the removed items.

Step 1: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Step 2: Find and select the deleted file or folder you wish to recover.

Step 3. Right-click the selection, and choose Restore.

Restore Hard Drive Data from Windows 10 Recycle Bin

Method 2: Recover HDD Data with Hard Drive Recovery Software

Another option is to use a third-party data recovery software. There are many such tools available, which often can recover files that Windows built-in utilities can't. For instance, the Data Recovery Wizard stands out for its features and advantages. It allows you to recover hard drive data in just three steps and supports over 1000 file types.

Step 1: Select the hard drive where you lost data and click on “Scan”.

Step 2. After the scan is complete, use the "Filter" or "Search" option to locate the lost files.

Step 3. Select all the HDD files you want to restore and click on “Recover.” Browse and choose another safe location to save them.

Recover Data from Hard Drive

Method 3: Restore Hard Drive Files from Backup

Lastly, you can try using the built-in File History tool. It automatically backs up your files on a regular basis, so you might find a copy of your missing file here. If that doesn't work, or if you didn't have File History enabled previously, you can try using System Restore. This will revert your system to a previous state, which may include a healthy copy of your lost file.

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Complete Guide

Read this guide to successfully recover deleted files from hard drive in Windows 10. If you're a Mac user, refer to Mac Hard Drive Recovery.

In short

Depending on your system, you can employ several methods for hard drive recovery. For Windows 11/10/8/7, you can check the Recycle Bin, use the File History feature, or run a Data Recovery Wizard tool. If you're using a Mac, you can turn to Time Machine or utilize Mac hard drive recovery software to restore lost files from your disk.

You can also use effective solutions to fix a damaged hard drive. In short, hard drive recovery is possible in both Windows 10 and macOS. With the right tools, you can easily restore your hard drive to its original state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hard Drive Recovery

If you're still having issues with your hard drive, you're not alone. Here, we'll answer some common questions about hard drive recovery. Read on for more help.

1. How can I recover my hard drive for free?

You can use the free data recovery software to recover up to 2 GB of data for free:

  • Download, install, and launch the hard drive recovery software.
  • Select the disk or partition that contained the lost files.
  • Click on "Scan" to start searching for missing files.
  • Select the deleted files you want to recover and preview them.
  • Click "Recover" to restore your hard drive files for free.

2. Can I recover files from a failed hard drive?

Yes, you can recover files from a failed hard drive – you just need a reliable hard drive recovery tool. If you can boot your system, run the utility Data Recovery Wizard. If you can't access the failed drive, see Recover Data from a Damaged Hard Drive.

3. How much does data recovery cost?

How much does hard drive data recovery cost? It depends on a few factors:

  • Amount of data lost
  • Circumstances of the data loss
  • How long the hard drive has been used

How to fix a corrupted or damaged hard drive on Windows 10/11?

When it comes to hard drive repair, things can be different. Your computer may start behaving abnormally, and you may not be able to access your files. In some cases, you might not even be able to boot up your computer. How to fix a corrupted/broken hard drive without formatting? Don't worry. Try the two methods below to fix a damaged hard drive without formatting and data loss.

Note: If you didn't back up your data previously, you can use a data recovery tool to retrieve it.

1. Repair the hard drive using CMD

CHKDSK can scan for and mark bad sectors, as well as fix corrupted file system errors to prevent data loss. Run CHKDSK on the damaged hard drive without formatting it by following these steps:

    Click the Search bar and type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt, then click "Run as administrator." Type chkdsk E: /f /r /x into the Command Prompt window, then press ↵ Enter. Replace E with the letter of your damaged drive. Wait for the process to finish, then check if your hard drive is working correctly.

2 - Repair Damaged Hard Drive Using File Manager

Windows has a built-in tool for checking and fixing hard drive errors, which you can run manually.

    1. Click on "This PC" or "My Computer." 2. Select the damaged hard drive, right-click on it, and choose "Properties." 3. Click on the "Tools" tab, then under "Error Checking," click "Check." The hard drive will be scanned and any existing errors will be repaired.

5. How to recover data from an unbootable hard drive?

Recovering Data from an Unbootable Hard Drive:

  • Create a bootable disk with Data Recovery Wizard WinPE version.
  • Boot from the bootable disk and launch Data Recovery Wizard.
  • Recover files/data from the unbootable desktop/laptop hard drive.

6. How do I fix hard drive problems?

Fixing Hard Drive Issues:

    1. Clean out your computer's vents.
    2. Check the power and data cables.
    3. Check the BIOS…