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Free Image Format ConversionAn external hard drive, also known as an external HDD, is a large storage device used by Windows and Mac users to transfer files, store vast amounts of data, or back up precious personal information. Like other types of storage devices, it's quite susceptible to data loss due to various reasons.
On this page, we will introduce you to 4 reliable external hard drive recovery solutions and guide you to choose the right method to recover data from an external hard drive in different situations.
Using the navigation pane on the left, let's start by restoring files from an external hard drive:
It also works for recovering data from USB flash drives, SD cards, cameras, media players, drones, and other devices connected to your Windows computer.
If you're a Mac user, you might be interested in how to recover data from an external hard drive on Mac.
External Hard Drive Recovery Overview
To find the right external hard drive recovery solution, it's crucial to understand the reason behind the loss of files from your device. In this section, you'll learn about:
- 1. What are the reasons for data loss from an external hard drive?
2. What should you do when you lose data from an external hard drive?
What are the reasons for external hard drive data loss?
Here's a list of reasons why you may be losing data while using an external hard drive in your day-to-day:
- • Accidentally deleted or formatted files • Missing or corrupted essential file system structures • System unexpected shutdown or application crash • Corrupted or lost partition structure • Damage caused by power failure or surge • Virus attack or other unknown reasons
What to Do When You Lose Files from External Hard Drive
If you've lost data due to any of these reasons, don't worry. Check out the two tips below and learn how to recover files from an external hard drive right now:
1. Stop using the external hard drive immediately
- Important
- Stop using the external drive immediately if you notice data loss. New data might overwrite the lost data and make it irrecoverable.
#2. Seek Help from a Reliable Data Recovery Solution
Most of the time, when you lose files from an external hard drive or any other type of storage device, using a tool like the Data Recovery Wizard is the smartest way to go about it.
In the next section, you'll learn how to choose the right solution and immediately recover lost files from an external hard drive.
How to Recover Data from an External Hard Drive
Here, we have compiled 4 reliable methods that can effectively help you retrieve data from external hard drive under different circumstances:
Important: The methods are listed in order of effectiveness, with the first being the most helpful. Try Method 1 for the best file recovery solution. Use Method 2 if you need to recover a lost partition. Follow Method 3 if you hid the files on your device. Attempt Method 4 to restore files deleted or hidden by a virus.
Method 1: Recover External Hard Drive Data with Data Recovery Software
Applies to: Scans and recovers data from external hard drive lost due to deletion, formatting, RAW, OS crash, power failure, lost partitions, hidden files, etc.
When you lose files from an external hard drive, the easiest way to recover data from external hard drive is to turn to the best Windows data recovery software. Professional hard drive recovery software – tools Data Recovery Wizard can help.
It supports data recovery from external hard drives of all brands like Buffalo, WD, Seagate, Toshiba, Samsung, Lacie, Silicon, ADATA, etc., that might have been lost due to accidental formatting, deletion of files, virus attacks, and more. Watch the video guide on how to recover data from external hard drive.
Please follow the below-given 3-step tutorial to recover data from external hard drive immediately:
Method 2: Recover Lost External Hard Drive Partition and Data
Applies To: Restores lost external hard drive volumes and data from unallocated space.
If you accidentally deleted partitions on an external hard drive or, for some reason, the disk management shows the external hard drive as unallocated, as shown below:
You need to do two things: 1. Recover the lost partition from unallocated space; 2. Scan and recover files from the external hard drive. For your convenience, we recommend that you try using a third-party Partition Recovery tool for assistance.
The “Partition Recovery” tool can come to the rescue. It combines partition recovery and data recovery into one process. In other words, you can restore both partitions and data on an external hard drive at the same time. Here's how:
Please connect the external hard drive, USB flash drive or SD card with the lost partition to your computer.
Step 1: Run the partition recovery tool on your computer.
Select the external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card with the lost partition and click “Scan” to continue.
Step 2: Wait until the scanning process is completed.
Have the program scan the selected device and find the lost partitions.
Step 3: Preview and recover the lost partitions
Please double-click on the partition that is labeled as "Lost" and has a "Good" recoverability status.
Preview the lost partition content. Click “OK,” and then click “Proceed” to start the lost partition recovery.
Click “Finish” to complete the partition recovery process.
Note: If the utility detects any conflicts, back up the listed partition that contains important data to another secure location on your computer. Then proceed with the final step to recover the lost partition.
Method 3: Show Hidden Files on an External Hard Drive
Applies to: Restoring hidden files from an external hard drive.
Sometimes, you might choose to hide certain items on your device to protect confidential data. If this applies to you, follow these steps to unhide them:
Step 1: In Windows 10/8/7, press Windows+E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 2: Open the Folder Options or File Explorer Options window, and click on the “View” tab.
Step 3. Under the Hidden files and folders section, click the radio button next to Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
Step 4: Click “Apply,” and then “OK.”
Your “lost” files should now appear on the external hard drive.
Method 4: Recover Files from External Hard Drive Using CMD
Applies To: Using CMD commands to recover lost files that were deleted or hidden by viruses from an external hard drive.
Sometimes, viruses or malware might delete or hide files on a storage device. You can resolve this issue by recovering files from an external hard drive using CMD. Make sure to enter the command lines correctly each time, as any incorrect operations can lead to severe problems.
- Warning
- Running chkdsk might fix file system errors, but it can also cause data loss. Therefore, do a data recovery first, and then proceed with the CMD method.
You can use the following CMD commands to recover data from an external hard drive: 1. 首先，确保外部硬盘已正确连接到计算机。 2. 打开命令提示符（CMD）作为管理员。右键点击“开始”按钮，然后选择“命令提示符（管理员）”。 3. 输入以下命令以运行chkdsk（磁盘检查）工具，这将帮助修复可能的文件系统错误： ``` chkdsk /f /r X: ``` 在这里，`X:` 是你的外部硬盘驱动器的字母。请将其替换为实际的驱动器字母。 4. 按 Enter 键。如果系统提示你该卷正在使用中，输入 `Y` 并按 Enter 以计划在下次重新启动时运行 chkdsk。 5. 重启电脑，系统将自动运行 chkdsk。 6. 完成后，你可以尝试使用 `dir` 命令查看硬盘上的文件： ``` dir X: ``` 如果能列出文件，说明硬盘可读，你可以尝试复制文件到安全的位置。 7. 如果以上方法无效，可以尝试使用数据恢复软件，如Recuva或tools Data Recovery Wizard，它们通常能提供更全面的数据恢复解决方案。 请注意，这些步骤并不能保证100%恢复所有数据，尤其是当硬盘有物理损坏时。在处理重要数据时，始终建议定期备份。
Step 1: Press "Win + R," type in cmd, and hit "Enter" to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 2. Type each of the following commands on a new line and press Enter after each one:
- chkdsk F: /f (Replace F with the drive letter of your external hard drive.)
- Y
- F
- F:\>attrib -h -r -s /s /d *.*
Step 3: Wait for the process to complete, then type exit to close the window.
After that, restart your computer and reconnect the external hard drive. You should be able to see and access all the data on it. If the Command Prompt is not working on your computer, try Method 1 to use data recovery software for assistance.
If you're having other issues with your external hard drive, you might be interested in:
Additional Tip: How to Protect External Hard Drive Data and Prevent Data Loss
After trying the solutions above, you should be able to view and access your external hard drive data again. To protect your external hard drive data and prevent further data loss, we've gathered some tips for you.
#1. Format an External Hard Drive for Reuse
It is very important to make sure that the external hard drive is ready and safe to store data. So, format it before saving the recovered files to the device.
Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer and open File Explorer.
Step 2. Right-click the external hard drive and select "Format."
Step 3. In the Format window, choose the NTFS format and check the "Quick format" option. Then click "Start."
Then save the file back to your external drive.
#2. Create additional backups of external hard drive data
Backing up external hard drive files to another location, such as a cloud drive, is also a wise choice. For backing up an external hard drive, the most popular choice is free backup software – Todo Backup.
With it, you can create an image of the contents of a storage device and restore it quickly when needed. Backing up provides a second line of defense for the safety of your critical data.
#3. Run antivirus software regularly and scan all devices
If you have antivirus software installed on your computer, it's a good idea to run a scan on all your devices as well. This will help protect your devices and data from viruses and malware in a timely manner.
In short
On this page, we explain what an external hard drive is, the common reasons for file loss errors on external hard drives, and gather 4 reliable solutions to help you recover data from an external hard drive easily and effectively.
Aside from the two methods above, we also offer 3 tips to help you safely secure your disk files. Also, don't forget to seek the assistance of the Data Recovery Wizard tool when you lose files from external hard drive, internal HDD/SSD, USB, and the like.
Equipping yourself with such a powerful tool for your computer is a wise choice that will help you recover your lost data as soon as possible and minimize your losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About External Hard Drive Recovery
Fortunately, common data loss scenarios are relatively easy to deal with – disk recovery software can help you recover 99% of deleted and lost data from an external hard drive. However, there may be some issues that this article hasn't covered.
1. How much does it cost to recover data from an external hard drive?
The cost of such a recovery usually ranges from $500 to $1,000. If there is no physical damage to the hard drive but rather logical issues, you might be able to recover the data yourself with software like Data Recovery Wizard. Using a tool like that to recover data from an external hard drive is much cheaper than a manual data recovery service.
For more information, please read our article on hard drive recovery costs.
2. How to recover data from an unrecognized external hard drive?
First, connect the external hard drive to another computer to check if it's a USB port issue. If it works on the other computer, you should fix the USB port. Otherwise, check the connection of the external hard drive in Disk Management and use a Data Recovery Wizard tool to recover data from an unrecognized external hard drive.
3. Can you recover data from a damaged external hard drive?
Yes, you can easily recover data from an external hard drive using bootable data recovery software. By creating a bootable USB or CD/DVD, you can start your computer normally and complete the entire data recovery process in three steps.
Complete guide: How to recover data from a dead hard drive (in English).