How long can a hard drive or external hard drive be stored without being used?

The two most common storage devices in use today are the hard disk drive (HDD) and its younger sibling, the solid-state drive (SSD). Both types of storage devices offer reliable and fast data transfer and storage. However, like most computer peripherals, they have a limited lifespan and can only be used for so long. Read on to find out how **long hard drives last**.

How long can data be stored on an unused hard drive?

The direct answer to this question that many customers ask is that they can last for 3 to 5 years. However, keep in mind that this is just an estimate. There are many factors that determine the actual lifespan and mean time before failure of a hard drive.

How long can they be kept if they are not used?

The advantage of a traditional hard-disk drive (HDD) lies in its sophisticated mechanics. Because of the way they operate, electromechanical disks are not particularly prone to wear and tear. HDDs are known to be resilient, thanks to the principle on which they rely: the spinning platters and read head never touch; the head simply skims above the magnetic coating to read the data. As long as this non-contact condition is maintained, the disk works, and, in theory, could go on working forever.

How long do SSDs last?

Under normal use, an SSD should last about 10 years, which is comparable to a traditional hard drive. However, earlier SSD cells had a limited number of write/erase cycles, which wasn't always the case. But thanks to many improvements and advancements in SSD cell construction, that's no longer the issue it once was.

New technologies like wear leveling have improved the lifespan of SSDs, and while they are still limited by a finite number of write cycles, these devices have become so durable that other components in your computer will need to be replaced long before you reach that limit. More important, because SSDs have no moving parts, you don't have to worry about mechanical failures.

In fact, SSDs fail 25% less often than traditional hard drives, meaning your device will last longer. That said, you must keep your drivers updated and perform necessary maintenance to ensure the longevity of an SSD. The lower failure rate is another good reason to choose an SSD over an HDD.

Which lasts longer: a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD)?

Generally, both types of drives can be affected by frequent or infrequent use. The ideal operating conditions you can provide for the drive also matter. Additionally, how well you take care of your device – such as avoiding incompatible drivers, viruses, and malware – can influence its lifespan.

Reliability can be defined as whether data is stored on the drive without corruption as intended. With this in mind, we find that generally, SSDs are more reliable than HDDs. This is because it has no moving parts in its construction. As such, SSDs are not affected by vibrations or heat issues, thus prolonging its lifespan.

So, we can conclude and confidently say that in most cases, your SSD drive will outlive your HDD.

How long do external hard drives last?

External hard drives are typically used for portable data storage, for short-term backups or for emergency transfers and storage of data. These devices are designed to last for three years. Most brands claim that the average lifespan of an external hard drive ranges from 3 to 5 years. However, many factors can influence this, with average lifespans varying depending on the brand, durability, reliability, performance, and how frequently the hard drive is used.

How to Recover Data from a Failed HDD or SSD

Regardless of the type of drive you choose to store your data, keeping your computer clean and optimized is crucial. You want to avoid getting your hard drive infected with viruses and malware. Additionally, power surges and improper handling can cause these devices to fail. In such cases, you risk losing important data – even a lifetime's worth of work. Fortunately, tools like the Data Recovery Wizard can save your data (and your life) when all else fails.

There are many options available. The best way to choose such software is to opt for an application that has a good track record of performance and offers the best features and return on investment.

Data recovery software aids in retrieving valuable and critical data from various damaged drives. It is a powerful and reliable all-in-one software solution that finds and recovers all your lost, accidentally deleted, or corrupted data that is inaccessible.

It offers the best data recovery options and features with an easy-to-understand and user-friendly interface. Its ability to recover deleted files is on par with other leading software in this category.

Available in free and pro versions with different pricing plans, not to mention the company's fast and friendly customer support. Various tech reviewers have called our software “a capable all-around file-recovery tool” that “performed best in our tests for recovering lost and deleted files.”

Follow the steps below to learn how to use this powerful data recovery software to retrieve files from an SSD or HDD.

Step 1: Scan the SSD

Launch the tool Data Recovery Wizard, select the SSD where you lost data, and click the “Scan” button.

Step 2: View the Results

After the scan, check the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders and use the "Filter" and "Search" options to retrieve lost SSD data.

Step 3: Restore Files from SSD

Select the required data and click on the “Recover” button to get back lost SSD files.

Some of the important features of the tool Data Recovery Wizard are:

Deleted File Recovery: This software can quickly recover files even after they have been deleted and the Recycle Bin has been emptied.

Original File Recovery: The Data Recovery Wizard tool also scans and retrieves files from an inaccessible storage device that has become RAW.

Formatted Recovery: Restores files even after the media has been formatted. Works with HDD, SSD, all types of memory cards, and portable storage devices.

Other advantages of Data Recovery Wizard include:

• Performs deep scans on media containing deleted or formatted files.
• Recovers files that other similar products fail to recover during tests.
• Facilitates easy sorting of deleted files and specific file types.
• Delivers reliable and fast performance.

With our software, you get the best-in-class data recovery solution. It features an intuitive interface that makes it extremely easy to use. Your deleted files will be scanned from the media you specify.

What are the best practices for hard drive health?

The lifespan of your hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD) depends largely on how you use them, how often, and whether they're stored and operated under optimal conditions.

There are various precautions you can take and best practices to follow to prolong the life of your drive. Not only will this keep your drive performing well, it will also help prevent unexpected hard drive failure and data loss. Some sensible steps include:

1. Avoid using the hard drive when it's not needed. Frequent and prolonged usage can shorten its lifespan. 2. If used solely for backup, power on the hard drive every 4-5 months to keep it charged, especially for Solid State Drives (SSDs). 3. Protect the hard drive from moisture and overheating. Storing it in an airtight plastic bag or box or using an anti-static device is advisable. 4. Don't store the hard drive in drawers or cabinets that children can access, or in places prone to dust accumulation for extended periods. 5. Shield external hard drives from extreme conditions. Protect them from shocks, knocks, and falls. 6. Use high-quality data cables to connect external hard drives to laptops and desktops. Don't compromise on cable quality, as it could lead to data loss. 7. For mechanical Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), defragment using built-in operating system tools or specialized apps. This reduces wear on the disk platters and minimizes the movement of the read head while seeking data. 8. Don't abruptly pull out the USB cable from the port. Instead, eject or unmount the external HDD or SSD through the system before physically removing it. 9. Backup your data in multiple locations and consider replacing external hard drives every few years if possible.

The most important factor, though, is how much the drive is used during its lifetime – the more it is used, the faster it will reach its data-transfer limit.

If you rely on external hard drives for backups, you should consider investing in new ones every few years and swapping them out to ensure the longevity and safety of your data. Another good practice is to back up your data in the cloud concurrently with using external hard drives and SSDs, which provides an additional layer of security and convenience for accessing your data from multiple locations.

Bottom line

Hard drive lifespan isn't definitive. An HDD is theoretically good for 3-5 years, while an SSD can work for up to 10. However, these numbers depend directly on the drive's build quality, usage time, and operating conditions.

By adopting good habits for backing up your data, you can prolong the life of your hard drive and guard against unexpected failures and data loss. It is advisable to use cloud-backup services, keep backups on an external hard drive, and purchase new ones periodically to ensure the safety and longevity of your data.

If you need to recover data from an HDD, SSD, or external hard drive, you can try using a data recovery tool that boasts a high success rate in retrieving lost files.