How Can You Recover from an Unexpected Data Loss [4 Ways]

Common causes of unexpected data loss

Data loss can be a nightmare, especially when it occurs unexpectedly. Understanding its root causes can help you take preventive measures. Below are some of the most common reasons behind unexpected data loss.

1. Hardware failures

Hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and other storage devices are not immune to failure. Physical damage, wear and tear, or manufacturing defects can lead to sudden data loss. SSDs, while faster, have limited write cycles, and their failure can also result in inaccessible data.

2. Accidental deletion

Human error is one of the leading causes of data loss. Mistakenly deleting files or formatting the wrong drive can wipe out critical information in seconds.

3. Malware attacks

Malicious software, such as viruses, spyware, or ransomware, can corrupt, encrypt, or erase your data. Ransomware attacks, in particular, can hold your files hostage until a ransom is paid.

5. Software crashes

Bugs, glitches, or compatibility issues in operating systems or applications can cause files to become corrupt or inaccessible.

6. File system corruption

Corruption of the file system, often caused by improper shutdowns, bad sectors, or software errors, can render stored files unreadable.

How can you recover from an unexpected data loss

Here are four effective methods to help you recover your data and minimize the damage.

Method 1. Check the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is the first place to look for accidentally deleted files. Windows temporarily stores deleted files here until the bin is emptied. Follow these steps to recover files from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Step 2. Browse through the list to find your missing files.

Step 3. Right-click the file or folder you want to recover and choose Restore. The file will return to its original location.

Method 2. Try professional data recovery software

Data loss can strike unexpectedly, leaving you in a state of panic and frustration. Whether it's a system crash, accidental deletion, or corrupted files, retrieving your valuable data becomes a top priority. This is where AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, a professional data recovery software, steps in to save the day.

AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is designed to handle a wide range of data loss scenarios with precision and efficiency. Its advanced recovery algorithms can retrieve deleted, formatted, or inaccessible files from various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and even external storage devices.

Here’s why AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is a must-have:

♦ Comprehensive recovery capabilities: AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery supports the recovery of files, folders, and entire partitions lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, or unexpected system errors.
♦ Wide compatibility: It works seamlessly across multiple file systems (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, etc.) and storage devices.
♦ User-friendly interface: The intuitive design ensures even non-technical users can navigate the recovery process with ease.
♦ Quick and deep scan options: Choose between a fast scan for recently deleted files or a deep scan for locating deeply buried data.
♦ Preview before recovery: View files before recovery to ensure you're retrieving the right data.

When faced with the stress of unexpected data loss, trust AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to restore your files swiftly and securely. With this software, recovering your precious data is no longer a daunting challenge.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, Recycle Bin and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering to end.

Method 3. Recover data from Backups

Backing up your data beforehand ensures a straightforward recovery process if data loss occurs. Although numerous third-party tools provide specialized methods for recovering data from wiped hard drives, this guide focuses on using Backup and Restore—a built-in, cost-free utility in Windows—to simplify the entire recovery procedure.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files > Select photos you want > Next.

Step 4. Specify the destination to save your recovered photos and click Restore.

Method 4. Restore from the Previous Versions

The "Previous Version" feature in Windows is a valuable tool for recovering files accidentally deleted during your work. It allows you to swiftly restore an earlier saved version of the file with ease.

These previous versions are automatically saved when Windows creates restore points. Recovering permanently deleted files on a Windows 10 PC is straightforward and can be done by following the steps outlined below.

Step 1. Go to File Explorer and find the folder that contains the files you have deleted.

Step 2. Right-click the folder > Properties > Previous Versions > choose the latest version > Restore.

Conclusion

Unexpected data loss can happen at any time, caused by hardware failures, human error, malware, or file corruption. When data loss occurs, act quickly.

Start by checking the Recycle Bin or using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, a powerful tool for retrieving lost files from various storage devices. If you have backups, use them to restore your data, or utilize Windows’ "Previous Versions" feature for quick file recovery.