WD Elements Data Recovery Free Solutions for Windows

Can I Recover Files from WD Elements External Hard Drive?

WD Elements external hard drives are widely used for personal backups, file transfers, and long-term storage due to their large capacity and plug-and-play convenience. However, like all storage devices, they are not immune to data loss. Accidental deletion, drive corruption, formatting errors, file system damage, or even improper ejection can all lead to missing or inaccessible files.

When you’re facing this situation, you may wonder: can I recover files from WD Elements external hard drive? The reassuring fact is that WD Elements data recovery is possible through reliable methods. Next, we’ll walk you through several effective solutions, from free tools to professional WD Elements data recovery services if the drive is severely damaged.

How to Recover Data from WD Elements External Hard Drive

Before diving into technical solutions, it’s important to stay calm and avoid writing new files to your WD Elements drive. Overwriting data will reduce the chance of recovery. Now, let’s explore the options one by one.

Free Command-Line WD Elements Data Recovery Software—Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery is a free command-line utility provided by Microsoft to help you recover deleted files from local storage devices, like SD cards, HDDs, USB drives, and more. It requires familiarity with basic Windows File Recovery command and only compatible with Windows 10 and later versions.

Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery on your computer from Microsoft official website. Connect the WD Elements hard drive to your computer.

Step 2. Open Windows File Recovery and run it as administrator.

Step 3. Type the following command "Winfr F: E: /regular" and press "Enter" to start the recovery process. Replace the drive letters "F" and "E" with your actual drive letters.

★Tips:

F: the source drive letter (your WD Elements drive letter).

E: the destination drive letter.

Regular: perform a quick scan. You can switch to "extensive" mode to run a comprehensive scan for more lost files.

By adding filter commands after the basic command, you can recover specific files, including those of a specific type, files in a specific location, or entire folders using the command line. For example: to recover lost images from the hard drive, you can enter "Winfr H: D: /extensive /n *.jpg /n *.png".

Wait for the recovery process to finish, then you can press "y" to check the output folder for restored files.

Free GUI Data Recovery Software for WD Elements—MyRecover

While Windows File Recovery is a powerful feature, it’s really hard for beginners to master. That’s because even a small mistake, such as a spelling error, incorrect punctuation, a missing space, or using an inappropriate scan mode can cause WD Elements data recovery to fail.

In that case, if you want a more user-friendly and powerful option for WD Elements data recovery, MyRecover is a good option. It can scan the entire drive quickly and deeply and restore lost files, even after formatting or corruption. It features a simple and intuitive interface design, requiring no professional technical skills.

Why Choose MyRecover?

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Data from WD Elements External Hard Drive

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from a secure channel. Connect the WD Elements external hard drive to your computer with a correct cable.

Step 2. Run it and select the WD Elements external hard drive to scan for lost files, then click "Scan". Once the quick scan is finished, you can click "Deep Scan" to find more lost files if needed.

Step 3. Choose the files you intend to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover". You can use the "Filter" function in the upper right corner to quickly locate the files you want.

Step 4. Select a safe location (not the WD elements hard drive) to save the recovered files.

When the process is completed, the message indicating successful recovery will pop up. You can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or the "Browse" button.

Professional Data Recovery Service

If your WD Elements hard drive has suffered severe physical damage, professional data recovery software may not work. In that case, professional data recovery services would be the best option. Before that, please properly protect your hard drive to avoid secondary damage. When choosing a reliable data recovery service, opting for providers that partner with WD may offer greater assurance.

FAQs:

Q1: Is there a way to recover data from an external hard drive?

Yes, depending on the situation. For lost or deleted files, software like MyRecover and Windows File Recovery works well. For hardware failures, professional repair services are required.

Q2: Does WD Elements have backup software?

Yes, WD has partnered with Acronis to offer a free backup software, Acronis True Image for Western Digital, exclusively to owners of WD drives, including WD Elements, My Passport, My Book, and other WD storage products. It allows you to recover data from backups when needed.

Q3: Can I recover data from a hard disk which is not detecting?

If the drive is not recognized in Windows, first try connecting it to another port or computer. If it still doesn’t appear, you may can try updating drivers, using CHKDSK command to check for logic error.

Summary

Losing files from a WD Elements external hard drive can be stressful, but recovery is often possible. Using free solutions like Windows File Recovery or MyRecover, your files can be recovered effortless. If the drive is physically damaged, seeking professional services is a better choice.

For users who want a reliable long-term solution, MyRecover is a worthwhile investment which handle more data loss scenarios. MyRecover also provides the Professional edition, it offers unlimited recovery, file previews, and even the ability to restore files from unbootable systems. This makes it one of the best options for WD Elements data recovery.