Efficient Strategies to Retrieve Deleted Files from Your External Hard Drive

How to recover deleted files from an external hard disk can be a daunting task, especially if you have lost important data. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can easily restore your deleted files and get back to your work or personal files. In this article, we will guide you through the process of recovering deleted files from an external hard disk step by step.

Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that the process of file deletion on an external hard disk is not permanent. When you delete a file, it is simply marked as deleted and the space it occupied is marked as available for new data. This means that until the space is overwritten by new data, the deleted files can still be recovered.

Here are the steps to recover deleted files from an external hard disk:

1.

Stop using the external hard disk immediately after you realize that files are deleted. Continuing to use the disk can overwrite the deleted files, making them unrecoverable.

2.

Connect the external hard disk to a computer. Make sure the computer recognizes the drive and it appears in the file explorer.

3.

Download and install a reliable file recovery software. There are many free and paid options available online. Some popular ones include Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, and Disk Drill.

4.

Run the file recovery software and select the external hard disk as the location to scan for deleted files. Choose a deep scan if you have not used the disk after deleting the files, as it will search for more deleted files.

5.

Wait for the scanning process to complete. The time it takes depends on the size of the external hard disk and the amount of data it contains.

6.

Once the scan is finished, review the list of deleted files. You can preview the files to ensure they are the ones you want to recover.

7.

Select the files you want to recover and choose a location on your computer to save them. Avoid saving the recovered files back to the original external hard disk to prevent overwriting the deleted files.

8.

Click the “Recover” button to start the recovery process. The software will save the selected files to the specified location.

It’s important to note that the success rate of file recovery depends on various factors, such as the time elapsed since the deletion, the condition of the external hard disk, and the effectiveness of the recovery software. In some cases, the deleted files may be irrecoverable.

Preventing future data loss is also essential. Regularly backup your important files to an external hard disk or cloud storage. Additionally, use a file recovery software to scan for deleted files periodically, just in case you accidentally delete important data.

In conclusion, recovering deleted files from an external hard disk is possible with the right tools and techniques. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of successfully restoring your lost data.