Have you accidentally deleted files from your external hard drive? Data loss is not very uncommon and can happen to anyone. So, in case you have lost or deleted files from your hard drive, no need to panic.
We have brought the best methods for you to recover deleted files from external hard drives.
4 Best Methods to Recover Deleted Files from External Hard Drive
In case the file deletion is caused due to a logical error in the computer rather than a hardware issue the deleted or lost files can be recovered using some fixes.
However, do note that these methods are not as accurate and successful as data recovery software and can sometimes prove to be hard and time-consuming for the users. Here are some of these fixes you can try in case of file deletion from an external hard drive.
Method 1: Recover Hidden Files from an External Hard Drive
Sometimes the files are not in fact deleted but just hidden so the first thing you should do in case of data loss is unhide all the hidden files on your drive.
Follow the steps given below to do so.
- Open the external hard drive in File Explorer.
- Click on the View tab.
- Check the box Hidden items in the Show/Hide option.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Files from External Hard Drive by Previous Version
In case your file is deleted, you still have the option of recovering the file using the file history option. Follow the steps given below.
- Open the File Explorer.
- Right-click on the Hard drive in question.
- Select the option Properties.
- Go to the Previous Version tab.
- Select the version you wish to restore your file from and click on Restore.
Method 3: Recover Deleted Files From External Hard Disk using Windows File Recovery
For Windows 10 and 11 users, there is an option of using an inbuilt utility tool for file recovery called Windows File Recovery. It is pre-installed in newer PCs and can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft App Store for other computers.
Given below are simple steps to use this tool.
- Press the Windows key and type Windows File Recovery. Select the option Run as Administrator.
- In the Command Prompt Window type the command winfr E: C:\Users /mode /switches Replace E with the source drive and C:\Users with the destination folder path. There are two modes regular and extensive. Switches are different filters to make data recovery easier. It can also be removed if you are unsure of which filter should be used.
- When prompted for confirmation press Y to start the scanning and recovery process.
Method 4: Use Data Recovery Software to Recover Deleted Files from External Hard Drive
Although the above-mentioned methods are some of the best ways to recover deleted files from external HDD. They are not 100% effective. There may be cases where these methods are not working or you encounter unexpected errors.
In such cases opting to use professional Data Recovery Software is the safest and most effective option. Out of all the options available there, we would recommend using Remo Recover software as it has a user-friendly interface, an exceptionally successful recovery rate, and is safe to use.
Steps to Recover Deleted Files from External Hard Drive by Remo Recover
- Download and install Remo Recover.
- Select the external drive from where you want to recover files.
- Now initiate the scanning process by pressing the Scan option.
Note: Once the Quick Scan is completed it automatically starts Deep Scan. Now you can navigate to the Lost and Found Files folder to select the recovered files. This tool offers a free Preview feature to verify the recovery results.
- Select the files you want to save and click on the Recover button.
Physical Data Recovery
Modern-day hard drives are very sturdy, but not indestructible. They can still suffer from physical damage which can stop the drive from working and cause file deletion.
In some cases like when the hard disk is making clicking or beeping noises as the rear/write head gets stuck on the platter scratching it violently. Scratching platter causes permanent, irrecoverable file deletion.
In such cases, physical data recovery services are required where the professionals will disassemble your hard drive and attempt data recovery from its components in a sterile environment.
Although, much more expensive and time-consuming than logical data recovery software, physical data recovery can be useful in cases where logical recovery is not possible.
Bonus Tips in case you are facing Drive errors
In case you are facing drive errors, it may make your drive inaccessible or undetectable. In such cases although your files are not deleted, an illusion of data loss is created. To resolve this issue you can follow the methods described below.
Method 1: Scan the HDD for Bad Sectors
Sometimes the presence of bad sectors on a drive can make the files stored inside invisible and inaccessible. To recover data from such a drive, you can scan the drive and fix any system errors found.
Described below is the easiest method to achieve this.
- Open the File Explorer.
- Right-click on the hard drive in question.
- Select the option Properties.
- Navigate to the Tools tab.
- Under the Error-checking option click on the Check button.
Method 2: Update the Disk Driver
Disk driver issues can make the disk drive inaccessible or undetectable. In such cases, updating the driver will resolve the issue. To update the Disk Driver follow the steps below.
- Press the Windows key and search for Device Manager.
- In the new pop-up window, click on the roll-down key left to the Disk Drives option.
- Right-click on the Driver for the external hard drive.
- Click on Update driver.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed various solutions for when a file gets deleted from an external hard drive.
I hope this article has helped you in recovering your deleted files. If you found this article helpful, please share your experience with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Files Deleted from an External hard drive appear in the Recycle bin?
No. Files deleted from an external hard drive will not appear on the Windows Recycle Bin. External hard drives have their own recycle bin but it is usually hidden.
2. Can I recover files deleted from an external hard drive more than 2 years ago?
Yes. It is possible to recover files that were deleted more than 2 years ago, but the success of the recovery will depend on several factors such as how the file was deleted, and whether the storage space has been overwritten with new data
3. Does Ctrl + Z work to recover deleted files from an external hard drive?
Yes. If you accidentally deleted a file from your external hard drive, pressing Ctrl + Z will instantly recover the file. This, however, will not work if you use Shift + Delete to delete the file.
