Hard Drive Recovery| Recover Files from a Hard Disk

PAGE CONTENT:

Part 1. Common Reasons for Hard Drive Data Loss
Part 2. Hard Drive Data Recovery Methods
Part 3. How to Recover Files from Hard Drive
Part 4. Hard Drive Recovery FAQs

Losing important data can be a frustrating experience, whether due to accidental deletion or a hard drive failure. Fortunately, hard drive recovery is often possible, allowing you to recover files from a hard drive with or without software, depending on the cause of the data loss.

4 Most Common Reasons for Hard Drive Data Loss

Hard drive data loss can occur due to various reasons, including physical damage, logical damage, software errors, or malware. This can happen when a hard drive is physically damaged, such as being dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures, or when it suffers from logical damage, like a corrupted file system or bad sectors. Additionally, software errors or malware can also cause data loss on a hard drive.

Hard Drive Formatting

Hard drive data can be lost through formatting, erasing all data on the drive, which can be difficult to recover from.

recover files from a formatted hard drive

Accidental Deleting

Hard drive data can be lost through deletion, where users accidentally delete files or folders, but the data remains until overwritten, allowing recovery with special software.

Hard Drive Crash/Damage

A hard drive crash can cause data loss due to improper shutdown, bad sectors, or malware, but logical damage can be repaired with data recovery software, while physical damage requires a professional service.

recover files from a corrupted hard drive

Software Errors

Software errors can cause hard drive data loss by corrupting the firmware or deleting critical system files, but can be resolved by reinstalling the operating system or applications.

Hard Drive (HDD) Data Recovery Methods

Hard drive data loss can have serious consequences, whether due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or other issues. Fortunately, data recovery is often possible, and specialized software can help recover files from a hard drive. However, if the hard disk is damaged or crashed, it's best to seek the expertise of a professional hard drive recovery service, which can quickly and safely recover lost files.

Hard Drive (HDD) Data Recovery Service

Hard drive data recovery service is typically performed by a team of data recovery experts who physically open up your hard drive in a clean room environment to repair any damage, usually the most expensive option but with the highest success rate, and is necessary if you're faced with damage, corruption, or failure.

Repair corrupted RAID drive and recover data from NAS.
Repair corrupted virtual disk file (.vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx, etc.).
Unformat a hard drive that was formatted by mistake.
Repair unbootable Windows operating system, including Windows 10/8/7.
To fix a damaged RAW drive that needs to be reformatted, you can use a data recovery software to recover any important data from the drive, then use a disk formatting tool to reformat the drive. If the drive is Bitlocker encrypted, you can use a Bitlocker recovery key to unlock the drive before reformatting.
Recovering a lost partition or repartitioned drive that cannot be recovered by software requires a more manual and technical approach. This typically involves using specialized tools and techniques, such as using a Linux-based live CD or a hardware-based solution like a data recovery device, to access and recover data from the affected drive.

A data recovery service salvages data from failed, damaged, or corrupted storage devices, such as hard drives. When using a hard drive data recovery service, the drive is sent to a service center where experts perform the recovery in a clean environment using dedicated equipment. There are five top HDD recovery services available, including Ontrack HDD Recovery, Secure Data Recovery Service, SALVAGEDATA Data Recovery Service, Stellar Data Recovery Lab-services, and Qiling Manual Data Recovery Service.

Hard Drive Recovery Software

Hard drive recovery software is a self-service solution that uses specialized software to scan your hard drive for recoverable data, offering a cheaper alternative to data recovery services, but with a lower success rate. It may be suitable for those with some technical know-how.

Retrieve lost files after deletion or emptying the recycle bin.
Accidentally formatted a hard drive and caused data loss.
The hard drive becomes "RAW" or some software error happens.
Use a partition recovery software like GPT partition recovery or MBR partition recovery to recover lost partitions with ease. Simply download and install the software, select the drive you want to recover, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process.

Hard Drive Recovery Software VS Hard Drive (HDD) Data Recovery Service

Hard drive data recovery services and software are two common methods used to recover lost data. While both options can be effective, they differ in approach and suitability. A comparison table can provide more information on the differences between the two, helping individuals determine the best option for their specific needs.

Comparison	Hard Drive Recovery Software	Hard Drive Recovery Service
Hard Drive Recovery Cost	Cheap	Expensive
Recovery Guarantee	No	Yes
Executor	You	Experts
Process	Time-consuming	Easy
Supported Devices	Internal/External Hard Drive, SSD, USB, etc	Almost All
Supported Brands	Western Digital, Seagate, Sony, Toshiba, SanDisk, etc.	Almost All
Supported File Systems	FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, etc.	Almost All

Hard drive data recovery services and software can help you recover valuable data from a malfunctioning hard drive, but the choice between them depends on the severity of the data loss and your budget. If you have critical data, a professional service is likely the best option, while less important data or a tight budget may make software a viable alternative.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Hard Drive in Windows 10

If you're running Windows 10, you can try using the built-in File Recovery tool, which can scan your hard drive for recoverable files. You can also try using third-party file recovery software, such as Recuva or Deep Data Recovery Wizard, which can scan your hard drive and recover deleted files. Additionally, if your hard drive is still functioning, you can try using a data recovery service or taking it to a professional data recovery company to have them recover your files.

Method 1. Recover HDD Data from Recycle Bin

If you're missing a deleted file, try checking the Recycle Bin first. In Windows 10, deleted files are usually sent to the Recycle Bin, where you can recover them directly. This simple step can help you retrieve the file you need.

Step 1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop.

Step 2. To recover a deleted file or folder, you need to select the item that was deleted. This can usually be done by navigating through the recycle bin or trash on your computer, or by using a file recovery software if the item has been permanently deleted.

Step 3. Right-click the selected item and choose "Restore".

recover hard drive data from Recycle Bin in Windows 10

Method 2. Recover HDD Data with Hard Drive Recovery Software

Another option is to use third-Qiling hard disk data recovery software is a standout tool among many available options, capable of recovering files that the Windows built-in tool can't. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to restore hard drive data in just 3 steps, and supports over 1000 types of file types, making it a highly effective solution for data recovery needs.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Launch Deep Data Recovery. Select file types and click "Next" to start the recovery process.

Select file types that you want to recover

Step 2. Scan the hard drive where you lost your data to recover it. To do this, select the hard drive from the list and click the "Scan" button.

Step 3. Once the scan is complete, you can use the "Filter" or "Search" feature to locate the missing files. This allows you to quickly and easily find the files that were not found during the initial scan.

Step 4. Select the desired HDD files, click "Recover", and save them to a different secure location.

Method 3. Restore Hard Drive Files from a Backup

To recover lost files, try using the built-in File History tool, which automatically backs up files regularly, or System Restore, which takes your system back to a previous point in time, potentially including a working copy of the lost files.

Full Guide

If you've deleted files from your Windows 10 hard drive, you can recover them by following this guide. If you're a Mac user, you can refer to the Mac hard drive recovery guide instead.

To Sum Up

For hard drive recovery, you can use various methods depending on your system. In Windows 11/10/8/7, check the Recycle Bin, use File History, or run Qiling data recovery software. If you're using a Mac, try Time Machine or Mac hard drive recovery software to restore lost files.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Hard drive recovery is possible in both Windows 10 and macOS, and with the right tools, you can easily restore your hard drive to its original state.

Hard Drive Recovery FAQs

Users often face issues with their hard drive, and it's not uncommon to encounter problems. If you're experiencing difficulties with your hard drive, you can find answers to frequently asked questions about hard drive recovery in this section. We'll provide further assistance to help you resolve the issue.

1. How can I recover my hard drive for free?

You can recover up to 2GB of data for free using Qiling free data recovery software.

Download, install and launch Qiling hard drive recovery software.
Select the disk or partition that contained the lost files.
Click the "Scan" button to start scanning for lost files.
Choose the deleted files you want and preview these files.
To recover hard drive files for free, click the "Recover" button.

2. Can a file be recovered from a failed hard drive?

Files can be recovered from a failed hard drive using a reliable recovery program, such as Deep Data Recovery, if the system can still be booted, or by following steps for recovering data from a dead hard drive if access is lost.

3. How much does it cost to recover a hard drive?

The cost to recover data from a hard drive can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the recovery, the type of data being recovered, and the company or individual providing the service. Factors such as the amount of data to be recovered, the level of damage to the drive, and the availability of the data can all impact the cost. In general, the cost can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, with prices often being higher for more complex recoveries.

The size of the lost data
The data loss scenarios
The time spent on the hard drive

4. How to repair corrupted or damaged hard drives on Windows 10/11?

When dealing with a damaged hard disk, your computer may behave erratically, and you may be unable to access your files. In some cases, you may even be unable to boot up your computer at all. To repair the corrupted hard disk without formatting and data loss, you can try two methods: one involves using built-in tools like Check Disk (chkdsk) or built-in disk checkers in your operating system, and the other involves using third-party software like recovery tools or disk repair utilities that can scan and fix disk errors. These tools can help identify and repair corrupted files and disk structures, potentially resolving the issue without losing your data.

Note: If you haven't previously backed up your data, use data recovery software to retrieve it before proceeding.

1- Repair Hard Drive Using CMD

CHKDSK can scan and mark bad sectors, as well as fix corrupted file system errors, to prevent data loss. To run CHKDSK and fix damaged hard disks without formatting, follow these instructions.

Click the Search box and type cmd.
Right-Right-click on the Start button, click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator" from the search results.
To run a diagnostic test on a corrupted drive, open the Command Prompt, type `chkdsk E: /f /r /x`, and press Enter. Replace `E` with the actual letter of the drive that's experiencing issues. This command will initiate the check, fix any errors, and recover any readable information, while also attempting to recover data from the drive.
Wait for the process to finish. Then, check if the hard drive works properly.

2 - Fix Corrupted Hard Drive with File Manager

Windows has a built-in tool called "Check Disk" (chkdsk) that allows users to manually check and repair corrupted hard drives.

Click This PC or My Computer.
Select the damaged hard drive, right-click it, and choose "Properties".
To run a hard drive check, select the "Tools" option and click on "Check" under the "Error-checking" section. This will initiate a scan to identify and potentially correct any errors on the hard drive.

5. How can I recover data from a hard drive that won't boot?

To recover data from a hard drive that won't boot:

Create a bootable disk with Deep Data Recovery WinPE Edition.
Boot from the bootable disk to open Deep Data Recovery.
Recover files/data from a PC/laptop hard drive that won't boot.

6. How do you fix a hard drive failure?

To fix hard drive failure:

Clean out the computer vents.
Check the power and data cables.
Check the BIOS...