Recovering deleted files from an external hard drive can be a crucial task when you accidentally lose important data. The recovery process depends on a number of factors, including the type of data loss, whether the files were deleted permanently or simply moved to the Recycle Bin, and the tools or software available for the recovery process.
1. File Deletion on External Hard Drives
Before diving into the recovery process, it’s important to understand what happens when you delete a file from an external hard drive.
When a file is deleted, it’s not immediately erased from the storage device. Instead, the space where the file is stored is marked as available for new data. As long as that space isn’t overwritten, it’s possible to recover the deleted file. However, if new files are saved to the drive after deletion, the chances of recovery decrease, because the deleted file may be overwritten.
2. Things to Consider Before You Begin
Before you start trying to recover your deleted files, there are some key points to consider:
Stop using the external hard drive immediately: Once you realize that files are deleted, stop using the external hard drive. Continuing to use the drive increases the risk of overwriting the deleted files, which can make recovery more difficult or impossible.
Check the Recycle Bin: If the external hard drive is connected to a computer and the files were deleted through Windows or macOS, the files may still be in the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS).
Check for backups: Before proceeding with complex recovery methods, check if you have any backups available. Many people set up automatic backups through software like Windows File History, Time Machine for Mac, or cloud backup services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.
3. Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Deleted Files
Now, let’s go over the steps involved in recovering deleted files from an external hard drive. We will start with the easiest methods and progress to more advanced ones.
Step 1: Check the Recycle Bin (or Trash)
If you accidentally deleted files from the external hard drive while connected to a computer, the first place to check is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS). Files deleted from external drives might be moved to these locations rather than being permanently deleted.
Windows:
Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking the icon on your desktop.
Look for the deleted files.
Right-click on the file and select Restore to recover it to its original location.
macOS:
Open the Trash by clicking its icon in the Dock.
Browse through the deleted files.
Drag the files back to the desired folder, or right-click and select Put Back.
If the files are not found in the Recycle Bin or Trash, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Use File History or Time Machine
If you have set up File History on Windows or Time Machine on macOS, it’s worth checking to see if your deleted files are backed up.
Windows File History:
Open Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
Click on More options under "Back up using File History."
Browse for the files or folders you wish to recover.
Click Restore to restore the file to its original location.
macOS Time Machine:
Connect the external hard drive if it’s not already connected.
Open Time Machine from the Applications folder.
Browse through the backup history to locate the deleted files.
Select the file and click Restore to recover it.
Step 3: Use Data Recovery Software
If the file isn’t in the Recycle Bin, Trash, or backup, the next option is to use data recovery software. There are several options available, but Panda Data Recovery is one of the most reliable programs for retrieving deleted files from external hard drives.
How to Use Panda Data Recovery:
Download and Install:
First, download and install the Panda Data Recovery software on your computer. Ensure you install it on a different drive than the one from which you’re recovering files, to avoid overwriting any recoverable data.
Connect Your External Hard Drive:
Plug the external hard drive into your computer and launch Panda Data Recovery.
Select the External Hard Drive:
In the Panda Data Recovery software, select the external hard drive where the deleted files were stored.
Click Scan to begin the scanning process.
Choose the Files to Recover:
Once the scan is complete, Panda Data Recovery will display a list of recoverable files.
Browse through the recovered files and select the ones you want to restore.
Recover the Files:
After selecting the files, click Recover.
Choose a location on your computer to save the recovered files. It’s important not to save them to the same external drive to avoid overwriting other data.
Other Data Recovery Tools:
While Panda Data Recovery is an excellent choice, there are other tools you can use, including:
Recuva (Windows)
Disk Drill (Windows/macOS)
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows/macOS)
Wondershare Recoverit (Windows/macOS)
Each software tool follows a similar process: install the program, scan the drive, and recover the files.
4. Advanced Recovery: Using Command Prompt or Terminal
In some cases, data may still be recoverable using advanced techniques such as Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS). However, these methods are not as user-friendly as data recovery software, and they require some technical knowledge.
Using Command Prompt on Windows:
Open Command Prompt:
Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
Run CHKDSK Command:
Type the following command and press Enter:
bash
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chkdsk X: /f
(Replace X: with the drive letter of your external hard drive.)
Check the Results:
The CHKDSK command will check the disk for errors and attempt to recover any lost data. If successful, you may be able to access the deleted files through the drive.
Using Terminal on macOS:
Open Terminal:
Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
List Drives:
Type the following command to list all connected drives:
diskutil list
Recover Files:
Depending on the situation, you might use specific commands to attempt file recovery. However, this is generally a more complex process and might not work in all cases.
5. Preventing Future Data Loss
Now that you've successfully recovered your deleted files, it’s a good idea to take steps to avoid future data loss:
Regular Backups: Set up regular backups of your external hard drive. Use software like Windows File History, Time Machine, or cloud-based backup services.
Use Cloud Storage: Store critical files in cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, which offer automatic syncing and versioning.
Enable File Recovery: Some external hard drives offer built-in data recovery features. Consider enabling these features if your device supports them.
Keep Software Updated: Ensure that your operating system and any data recovery software are up to date to maximize recovery chances.
