[Full Guidance] How to Recover Data from HDD

The need to recover data from HDD

In the realm of computing, situations may arise where it becomes necessary to make HDD data recovery. This need may stem from various factors, such as hardware malfunctions, accidental file deletions, or system failures. The most common factor can be the HDD failure.

HDD failure can occur due to various reasons, including physical damage, logical errors, firmware issues, and human errors. Physical damage can be caused by dropping the HDD, exposing it to extreme temperatures, or power surges. Logical errors may arise from file system corruption, malware infections, or accidental deletion. Understanding the cause of failure is crucial in determining the appropriate data recovery method.  

When users lose the stored data on the HDD, they may be eager to finding out the proper methods to recover them. In the following content, we’ll show you how to recover data from HDD.

How to recover data from an HDD

When confronted with an HDD, the task of data recovery becomes paramount for computer enthusiasts and professionals alike. If you lose the stored data, you can try these basic methods to recover it.

★ Method 1. Utilizing the Recycle Bin for HDD data recovery

When files are accidentally deleted by pressing the "Delete" key, the process of recovering data from a hard drive becomes relatively straightforward. In such cases, the deleted data is temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin.

To initiate hard drive data recovery, you can either use the "Ctrl+Z" keyboard shortcut to undo the deletion. Besides, you can also locate the desired data within the Recycle Bin and click the "Restore" button to retrieve it.

Tips: However, it's essential to be aware of certain precautions before employing this method:
✍ Avoid emptying the Recycle Bin prematurely.
✍ Avoid using the "Shift+Delete" command, as it permanently deletes data without storing it in the Recycle Bin.
✍ Avoid deleting files and folders from an external hard drive, as deleted data from external drives does not get transferred to the Recycle Bin.

★ Method 2. Recovery HDD data with Windows File Recovery

How to recover data from HDD which is not detecting? Windows File Recovery is a command-line utility designed to retrieve deleted data from external hard drives. This tool, available in the Microsoft Store, requires Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update) or higher, as well as Windows 11. With Windows File Recovery, users can recover various file types, including pictures, documents, videos, and more, from mechanical hard drives.

Notes:
✦ Before utilizing this tool, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the specific file names, paths, keywords, or extensions involved in your data recovery process.
✦ Be aware that Windows File Recovery supports file formats such as JPEG, PDF, PNG, MPEG, Office files, MP3, MP4, and ZIP.
✦ The command formula to recover the file is “winfr source- drive:destination–drive: [/mode] [/switches]”.
✦ Before the data recovery task, you’ll be asked to choose one mode to scan the files according to your condition: Default or Extensive. “Extensive” mode includes Signature and Segment. The first one (Signature) allows you to recover all lost files with the file headers. And the second mode can  recover the lost files via file records in the NTFS file system.

Step 1. Verify your Windows version by navigating to "Settings > System > About". Check the Version Number, ensuring it is 2004 or higher.

Step 2. Access the Microsoft Store and search for "Windows File Recovery". Download the tool by selecting "Get".

Step 3. Launch the tool, and a Command Prompt window will appear. Select the default mode and input the winfr source-drive:destination-drive:[/mode][/switches] command, then press “Enter”.

A better alternative to recover data from HDD

How to recover data from HDD? For successful retrieval of data from HDD, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional emerges as an exceptional software. This remarkable tool combines robust functionality with a user-friendly interface, offering an efficient means of recovering lost files.

Here are the key features that set this software apart in the realm of HDD file recovery: 

➹ Advanced data recovery capabilities: Equipped with advanced technology, it can locate and recover files from different brands of HDD, even under challenging circumstances such as the HDD is broken. By performing a thorough scan of the HDD, it identifies recoverable data fragments and successfully reconstructs your data. Easily solve the problem on how to recover data from a broken HDD.

➹ Data security emphasis: The software prioritizes the safety of your recovered files by operating in a read-only mode. This approach minimizes the risk of further data loss or corruption during the recovery process. It ensures the integrity of your HDD and guarantees that no modifications are made.

➹ Additional features: Apart from data recovery, this versatile tool offers a comprehensive suite of disk management functionalities. These include the ability to move applications to another drive, erase SSD, extend C drive, convert to GPT or MBR, etc. With its wide array of features, the software caters to all your disk management needs.

Let’s see how to recover data from dead HDD.

Step 1. Download and instal the data recovery software. Look for the options labeled "Recover" and "Recover Data" and click on them in turn.

Step 2. Identify the partition where the lost files were originally stored. Initiate the scanning process by clicking on "Start Scan".

Step 3. A comprehensive list of deleted files will be presented. Choose the specific files you wish to recover and click on the "Recover" button.

Step 4. Select a destination folder path to save the recovered files. Proceed by clicking on "Select Folder".

Step 5. Upon encountering the window below, it signifies that the lost files have been successfully recovered. Simply click "OK" to complete the task.

Last line

If you want to know how to recover data from HDD, you can find the solutions here. In this article, we have discussed the methods involved in recovering data from the HDD, even when it has been damaged. If you want to perform the data recovery task on Windows Server services with the mentioned AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can turn to the Server Version for help.