Hard Drive Data Recovery: Can You Really Recover Lost Files from Formatted or Dead Hard Drive?

Is it Possible to Recover Data from a Hard Drive?

A hard drive is a primary storage device in computers, storing digital data on spinning disks for long-term retention. Imagine losing important data or files due to sudden data corruption, physical damage, or an accidental deletion. In these heart-stopping moments, hard drive data recovery is necessary. So, is it possible to recover data from a hard drive? Yes. It is possible!

However, before delving into how to recover lost data from hard drive, it is essential to understand the causes of data loss. This knowledge is beneficial for diagnosing hard drive issues and preventing future data loss. Some common reasons include:

• Accidental Deletion: Unintentionally deleting files, either by emptying the Recycle Bin or through a software error.
• Hard Drive Formatting: Formatting your hard drive, either intentionally or unintentionally, can lead to data loss.
• File System Corruption: Hard drives can develop file system corruption due to power outages, improper shutdowns, or software failures.
• External Factors: Issues with external hard drives, such as being improperly ejected or exposed to static or power surges, can lead to data loss.
• Physical Damage: This can occur due to drops, exposure to heat, or mechanical failure within the drive.

How to Recover Lost Data from Formatted or Corrupted Hard Drive

The solutions of hard drive data recovery are broadly divided into two categories: with backup and without backup. If you have backed up the files on your hard drive before data loss occurs, regardless of what problems the hard drive encounters, you can restore the data from the backup, ensuring data security. However, without a backup, hard drive data recovery becomes much more complicated. You need to select appropriate methods according to the specific condition of the hard drive.

With Backup

If you have previously set up a backup in your computer, the recovery process becomes much easier. Backups ensure that even if your hard drive fails, your data remains protected. Here are two common methods for recovering your data using backups.

✅Restore Files with File History

As a built-in backup feature in Windows, File History can automatically backup copies of your personal files to an external hard drive or network location. It allows users to restore previous versions of files when they encounter accidental deletion, formatting or corruption. If you’ve enabled File History in Windows before data loss occurs, you can easily restore lost data.

Step 1. Type "Restore your files with File History" in the Start menu and open it.

Step 2. Go to the folder where you want to recover files from.

Step 3. Select the files or folders and click the green "Restore" button to recover them.

✅Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Backup and Restore is a process of copying data to a safe location and retrieving it when lost due to deletion, corruption, or hardware failure, ensuring data security and recoverability. You can restore your files from the backup you made.

Step 1. Type "backup settings" in the Start menu and open it.

Step 2. Click "Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" and choose "Select another backup to restore your files from".

Step 3. Select a created backup including your lost files and click "Next".

Step 4. Choose the files you want to recover by clicking "Browse for files". You can also choose to recover all of the files in the backup.

Step 5. Select a secure destination to save the recovered files and click "Restore" to start the process.

Step 6. When the process is finished, you can click "View restored files" to check the recovered files in the destination folder.

Notes:✎...

Both "File History" and "Backup and Restore" are efficient methods to recover lost data when you have a backup. It should be emphasized again that these two features can only effectively recover files if they are enabled before the files are lost.

Without Backup

When there is no backup available, you need to select appropriate methods for hard drive data recovery based on your needs. The following six methods are proposed from three aspects: accidental deletion, formatting, and crashing.

✅Check the Recycle Bin (Accidentally Deleted)

If you only accidentally delete (not using Shift + Delete) files from the hard drive, there's a high chance they are moved to the Recycle Bin. They will remain in the Recycle Bin waiting to be restored until you empty the bin or permanently delete them.

Step 1. Double click the "Recycle Bin" icon to open it.

Step 2. Browse and select the files you want to recover, then right click on it and choose "Restore" to recover it to its original location.

✅Recover Using Windows File Recovery (Permanently Deleted or Formatted)

If you permanently delete files by pressing "Shift + Delete" or format the hard drive, these files will bypass the Recycle Bin and disappear directly. Although data recovery becomes more difficult, it is not impossible. Windows File Recovery is specifically designed for such scenarios, allowing you to restore hard drive data via Windows File Recovery command.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery on your computer from the Microsoft official channel.

Step 2. Type "Windows File Recovery" in the Start menu and right-click to run it as as administrator.

Step 3. Enter the command "Winfr D: E: /extensive" and hit "Enter". Replace the drive letters "D" and "E" with your actual drive letters.

Step 4. Press "y" to continue the process.

When the process is completed, you can press "y" to check the recovered files in the destination folder.

★Tips:

D: the source drive letter.

E: the destination drive letter.

Extensive: the search mode.

Windows File Recovery is only compatible with Windows 10 and 11.

✅Run CHKDSK Command (Corrupted)

If the hard drive is inaccessible or prompts that it needs to be formatted, it may be due to a hard drive crash. Running the CHKDSK command can fix file system errors and restore files on the hard drive.

Step 1. Type "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and right click to run it as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the command "chkdsk g: /f /r" and press "Enter" to start the process. Replace the drive letter "G" with your actual drive letter.

✅Use Error Checking (Corrupted)

When facing a hard drive crash, if you are not accustomed to using command-line tools, Windows also provides a graphical interface for problem detection to help you fix hard drive errors.

Step 1. Press "Win + E" to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Select the corrupted drive and right click on it, then choose "Properties" and go to the "Tools" tab.

Step 3. Click "Check" under the "Error checking" and select "Scan the drive" to start error checking.

✅Recover lost files via MyRecover (Cover All Scenarios)

The methods mentioned above can only be used for specific data loss scenarios, but here is a way that covers all the above data loss scenarios - professional data recovery tools. MyRecover is highly recommended. It can not only recover accidentally deleted and permanently deleted data, but also restore data from formatted drive and crashed hard drives. Here are some stunning points of MyRecover.

• No Tech Skills Needed: User-friendly interface designed for beginners and non-tech-savvy users.
• Supports Over 1000 File Types: Recover photos, videos, documents, emails, ZIP files, and more.
• Supports Multiple Storage Devices: Works seamlessly with internal and external HDD, SSD drives, USB flash drives, SD/memory cards, digital cameras, and more.
• Safe & Read-Only Process: Your original data remains untouched during the scan and recovery process.

4 steps to recover lost files from MyRecover:

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer.

Step 2. Launch it and select the drive with lost files to scan, then click " Scan".

Step 3. Choose the files you want to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a different location (not the original drive) to avoid overwriting any uncovered data.

When the message "Files have been recovered successfully" pops up, you can click the path to recovered files to check them.

✅Professional Data Recovery Service (Physical Damage)

If the worst happens and the hard drive suffers physical damage, the likelihood of successful data recovery is significantly reduced. The best approach is to seek help from professional data recovery services. Be sure to store the hard drive in a safe place to avoid causing secondary damage.

Summary

In conclusion, recovering data from a hard drive is achievable, whether it's been formatted or crashed. If you're looking for a simpler and more comprehensive solution, try MyRecover. It features user-friendly operations and covers a wider range of data loss scenarios, making it the ideal choice for data recovery. Additionally, its Professional and Technician editions can meet your more advanced needs. They allow unlimited data recovery and let you preview the file contents before getting them back.