How to Recover Data from Dead Laptop

Laptops can fail unexpectedly, and when this happens, the data stored on them might seem like it's lost forever. Whether your Windows 11 laptop crashed due to hardware failure, operating system corruption, or a sudden power outage, it’s possible to recover your important files. In this guide, we will walk you through the best methods to recover data from a dead laptop, focusing on Windows OS and providing reliable solutions to save your files.

Understanding Data Recovery from a Dead Laptop

A “dead” laptop typically refers to a device that won’t boot due to hardware failure, software corruption, or physical damage. While the laptop itself may be unresponsive, the data on its internal drive (HDD or SSD) often remains intact unless overwritten. Successfully recovering files hinges on accessing the storage drive externally and using specialized tools or techniques. So, it’s possible to try a systematic approach to recover data from a dead laptop, even if you’re not a tech expert.

Detailed steps on how to recover data from dead laptop

Now, to recover data from dead laptop, we need to take the internal hard disk out from your laptop. Here are details.

Stage 1: Preparing Tools

To begin the recovery process, you need to gather a few essential tools:

▍Data Transfer Cable: A universal cable that allows you to connect the hard drive from your dead laptop to another working computer. It is crucial to have this tool on hand before you face a potential computer crash.

▍Hard Drive Enclosure: This is a device that lets you turn the hard drive from your dead laptop into an external storage device. It’s especially useful if you want to continue using the recovered hard drive as an external backup drive.

Note: You may need to prepare a hard drive enclosure or SSD connector, depending on whether your laptop uses a traditional HDD, SATA SSD, or M.2 NVMe SSD. To determine the drive type, check the laptop specifications or inspect the drive after removal; 2.5-inch drives are likely SATA, while M.2 drives could be SATA or NVMe.

▍Ground Yourself: Touch a metal surface (e.g., laptop frame) to discharge static electricity. Use an anti-static wrist strap if available.

Stage 2: Connecting Cables to Hard Disk

The next step is to connect the dead laptop’s hard drive to a working computer.

Step 1. Locate the hard drive compartment, usually on the bottom of the laptop, marked by a panel. Remove the screws and take off the cover. The exact process varies by model, so consult your laptop’s manual or search online for specific instructions.

Step 2. Unscrew the hard drive from its bracket or caddy and disconnect it from the connector. For 2.5-inch drives, this is typically straightforward; for M.2 drives, ensure you handle the small form factor carefully.

Step 3. Connect the drive to the USB to SATA cable or insert it into the hard drive enclosure, following the manufacturer’s instructions. This step turns the internal drive into an external one, ready for connection to a working computer.

Stage 3: Connect to a Working Computer

Once the drive is connected to the adapter, plug the USB end into a working computer. This should detect the drive as an external storage device, accessible via File Explorer in Windows. Ensure the working computer is running a compatible Windows OS, such as Windows 10 or 11, to ensure smooth operation. If the drive doesn’t appear, check connections or try another USB port, as sometimes port issues can prevent detection

Stage 4: Gaining Permissions (Optional)

In some cases, especially if the drive had Windows installed with user accounts, you might face permission issues when accessing files on the working computer. This is optional but common, particularly with system drives. Here’s how to address it:

Step 1. Right-click the drive or folder in File Explorer and select "Properties."

Step 2. Go to the "Security" tab, click "Advanced," and then click "Change" next to the owner.

Step 3. Enter your username, click "Check Names" to verify, and click "OK." Check "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" to apply to all contents, then click "Apply" and "OK."

Step 4. To grant full control, go back to the Security tab, click "Edit," select your username, check "Full control" under Allow, and click "Apply" and "OK."

Stage 5: Transferring Data to Another Disk

Now that your hard drive is connected and accessible, you can begin transferring your data. This is the most critical step, as it involves copying your important files to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage.

For a more reliable and efficient method of transferring data, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an excellent tool which offers a data cloning function, which ensures a seamless transfer of data from the old hard drive to a new one.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is designed to clone entire partitions or disks, ensuring that no data is lost during the transfer process. Unlike manually copying files, cloning ensures that all files, including hidden and system files, are recovered.

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Step 1. Click "Clone" in the main interface, and select "Clone Disk".

Step 2. Choose the hard disk to clone as the source disk and click "Next".

Step 3. Select another drive as the destination disk, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to "Sector to Sector clone", and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.

Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to improve the reading and writing speed of the SSD if the target drive is SSD.

Step 5. After returning to the main interface, check the pending operation and click "Apply" and "Proceed" to commit the operation.

Stage 6: Finishing Up

After successfully transferring your data, it’s time to finish up. Disconnect your external drive, and ensure that your files are safely stored. If you intend to continue using the recovered hard drive, you can format it as an external backup device.

Note: If your laptop’s operating system is still salvageable, you can try reinstalling Windows or repairing the OS using a bootable USB drive. However, if the hardware is beyond repair, you may need to consider replacing the laptop.

Ending

In conclusion, recovering data from a dead laptop involves removing the hard drive, connecting it to a working computer, and transferring data manually or via cloning with tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. This process, detailed in stages, ensures you can access your files even if the laptop won’t boot. Beyond cloning, this tool offers other handy functions, such as partition management (create, resize, merge), OS migration to SSD, and disk conversion between MBR and GPT, making it a versatile tool for disk management.