Folder Disappeared from External Hard Drive in Windows 10, 11? Easily Recover

Why Would Files Disappear from an External Hard Drive?

External hard drives are widely used for storing backups, transferring large files, and expanding storage capacity. However, it's not uncommon for users to encounter a troubling situation: folders or files suddenly go missing without any obvious reason. This can lead to panic, especially when the data is important or irreplaceable.

Whether you're using Windows 10 or another version, understanding why folder disappeared from an external hard drive is necessary to figure out the right recovery method and prevent future data loss.

• Accidental Deletion: one of most common and easily overlooked causes! You or someone else may have unintentionally deleted the files or foldersduring a bulk operation.
• Hidden Files or Folders: Files might still be there but are marked as "hidden"by the system. This often happens after connecting the drive to different devices or due to incorrect folder settings.
• File System Errors or Corruption: A corrupted file system (e.g., due to improper ejection or power failure) can make files inaccessible or cause them to vanish from view.
• Virus or Malware Infection: Malicious software can hide or delete files, or even damage the drive’s file structure.
• Drive Not Properly Recognized by the OS: Sometimes Windows may fail to mount or recognize the external drive correctly, leading to missing or unreadable files.
• Bad Sectors or Physical Damage: If the external hard drive has developed "bad sectors", it may prevent certain files from being read or displayed.

How to Find and Recover Missing Folders from External Hard Drive?

If your files or folders have suddenly disappearedfrom external hard drive, don't panic. There are several effective methods to help you get them back, depending on the above different possible causes:

🏷️If your external hard drive has suffered physical damage, it’s best to consult a professional data recovery service for assistance.

Method 1: Check Windows Recycle Bin

If files were mistakenly deleted,before trying advanced recovery steps, you should first check the Recycle Bin, especially if the files were deleted while the external hard drive was connected to your computer.

1. Open the Recycle Bin from your desktop.

2. Look for your missing files or folders. You can sort by "Date Deleted" or use the search bar.

3. If you find them, right-click the files and select "Restore".

4. The files will be restored to their original location on the external hard drive (if it’s still connected), or to the last accessible folder path.

Method 2. Check for Hidden Files

Sometimes the files are still there but just hidden. Follow the steps to check whether they are hidden and unhide them.

1. Connect your external hard drive to your PC.

2. Open "File Explorer"and go to the drive.

3. Click the "View"tab (or "View > Show"in Windows 11).

4. Check "Hidden items" to see if the missing files appear.

Method 3: Use Command Prompt to Check for File System Errors

If files or folder disappeared from external hard drive due to file system corruption or disk errors, using Command Prompt is an effective way to detect and repair issues. This method can help recover files that have become inaccessible because the drive's structure is damaged.

1. Press "Win + X", select "Command Prompt (Admin)" torun this tool as administrator.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk g: /f /r (Replace "g: "with your external hard drive’s letter.)

• /f fixes errors on the disk.
• /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable data.

Depending on the size and condition of your drive, this may take a while. Once completed, CHKDSK will report any errors it found and fixed.

Method 4: Check Previous Versions

Windows includes a useful feature called Previous Versions, which allows you to restore files or folders to an earlier state, assuming that System Protection or File History was enabled beforehand. If your external hard drive was previously connected when restore points or backups were created, you might be able to recover your missing files using this method.

1. Right-click the external drive folder (or the root drive letter).

2. Click "Properties"> "Previous Versions"tab.

3. If available, select a version before the files disappeared and click "Restore".

Method 5: Remove Malware and Unhide Hidden Files

Malicious software can hide, delete, or corrupt files on your external hard drive. To recover files or folders disappeared from external hard drive safely, follow these steps:

1. Scan and Remove Malware

Use a reliable antivirus or anti-malware program (e.g., Windows Defender, Malwarebytes) to perform a full scan of your external hard drive. Quarantine or remove any detected threats to prevent further damage.

2. Unhide Hidden Files

Viruses often hide files by changing their attributes. To unhide them, connect the external drive to your PC, run CMD as administrator, type the following command in Command Prompt window and press Enter:

attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.* (Replace "E:"with your drive letter.)*

This command removes Hidden, Read-only, and System attributes recursively, making files visible again.

MyRecover: All-in-One Solution for Most External Disk Data Loss Scenarios

When facing disappeared files or folders on an external hard drive, the root causes can vary widely and each scenario may require a different recovery approach, which can quickly become confusing and time-consuming. This is where MyRecover stands out as the ideal all-in-one solution.

It effectively covers all the common causes we discussed above and offers a streamlined recovery process that anyone can use. Whether your files are accidentally deleted, hidden due to system settings or malware, lost because of disk errors, or corrupted by viruses, MyRecover can scan deeply, locate your missing data, and restore it safely.

Recovering disappeared filesfrom external hard drive with MyRecover is simple and straightforward. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect the External Hard Drive

Make sure your external hard drive is properly connected to your computer and recognized by the system.

Step 2: Launch MyRecoverand Select the Target External Hard Drive

Download and install MyRecover if you haven't already. Open the program and you'll see all available drives listed, including your external one.Click on the external drive where your files disappeared. Then click "Scan" to proceed.

Step 3: Scan the External Hard Drive

MyRecover will automatically perform a quick scan if files are deleted, ora deep scanif the drive is corrupted or formatted to ensure maximum file recovery. You can also manually choose "Deep Scan" if necesary.

Step 4: Preview and Recover

Browse through the scanned results. You can use the search bar or filter by file type to locate specific files or folders. Select the items you want to recover and click "Recover".

Step 5: Save Recovered Files

Choose a different drive or location to save the recovered files. Do not save them back to the same external drive to avoid overwriting data.

Final Thoughts

When files or folders disappearedfrom external hard drive, recovering them can feel overwhelming due to the variety of possible causes. Whether it’s accidental deletion, hidden files, file system corruption, malware infection, or physical issues, MyRecover offers a comprehensive and user-friendly solution designed to handle them all.

It is not only excellent at recovering data from external hard drive, but also perfect for restoring files from internal one, like recovering C drive files. Even if you cannot boot into Windows successfully, you can use MyRecover to create a bootable rescue media and recover files in WinPE mode.