Jamie“Once, I switched computers to install and format the disk, transfer data to a new computer, and remove the laptop’s hard drive. In order to transfer some data, I now need to erase the hard drive once more. However, I noticed that the document I had saved in the F drive was missing. How might I recuperate these records?”
You can still, of course, perform disk recovery if are in the above misfortune scenario, or a similar one, and there are different methods to recover data from a hard drive in the following.
Free methods to recover data from Hard Drive
Hard drives are the basic device for putting away PC records and assume a significant part in PC use. However, file loss on the hard drive may result from human errors like accidental deletion or formatting. This page explains how to recover data from a Windows 10/11 hard drive in four different ways.
1st Method:Recover hidden files
sometimes files on your hard drive have been hidden rather than lost. You can use the command line to locate these hidden files.
- Enter “cmd” into the search bar at start and press the Enter key.
- Select “Run as Administrator” from the CMD menu.
- Entering “attrib -h -r -s /d F:*.*” will reveal hidden files. Press the Enter key and replace F with the drive letter where the file is located.
2nd Method: Use CHKDSK
The Check Disk (CHKDSK) tool can be used to view the status of your disk and recover lost files if files on your hard drive are missing.
- Enter “CMD” in the hunt bar.
- Select Run as administrator after clicking the instructions.
- Enter “chkdsk” with the drive letter: /f /r /x
3rd Method: Use Windows File Recovery
In 2020, Microsoft released Windows File Recovery, a CMD tool, lets users recover data from hard drives. However, due to its lack of a user-friendly interface, using it can be a little challenging.
You should be familiar with the following parameters before using Windows File Recovery:
- Source drive: The drive where the missing records were found.
- Destination drive: The location where you intend to save the recovered files.
- Mode: Regular mode and Extensive mode are your options.
- Switch: Narrow down the scanning range.
- File system: Your operating system’s file storage system.
After understanding these parameters, you can start to recover data from hard drive using Windows File Recovery.
- Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.
- Search in the pursuit box and select Run as administrator.
- Enter the commands based on its syntax and press the Enter key. If you want to retrieve a PDF file from drive C:, for instance: to drive E:, type as follows:
winfr C: E: /regular mode/n *.pdf.
4th Method: Try GUI data recovery software
MyRecover, free data recovery software, is recommended over the previous method for recovering data from hard drive. The interface of MyRecover is simpler than that of Windows File Recovery, and its success rate is higher.
Feature highlights of MyRecover:
- In Windows, support SSD/HDD as well as multiple file systems (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS).
- User Interface in Graphics: The process of recovering data can be walked through by users using visual elements.
- Recover multiple files types: documents, images, videos, audio, ZIP files, and other types of files can all be recovered, up to 200+ file formats.
- Compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server.
Please follow the steps below to use MyRecover:
Step 1. To begin the survey, open MyRecover on your computer, hover your mouse over the drive where the deleted files are stored, and then select “Scan.”
Step 2. Utilize Quick Scan and Deep Scan to find out all the recoverable data. They will list in the following window once found.
Step 3. You can also choose to filter and preview files during the scanning process. You are allowed to recover them without waiting for final scan.
Step 4. Select the files you want to recover and click the Recover button.
Step 5. Please select a new location to save the recovered files and prevent data coverage.
Conclusion
You can easily perform disk recovery and ensure all the data are safe. Try to check if your files are hidden with 1st method and then try other methods. Among them, simple & easy to use file recovery software – MyRecover is recommended.
