Losing data stored on an external hard drive can be devastating. Important files like family photos, videos, work documents, and other irreplaceable data may disappear in an instant. Before you panic, know that you have options for recovering that data using free software tools.
In most cases, the files are not truly lost forever – they just can’t be accessed through normal means. By using data recovery software, you can often get those files back. The key is to act quickly, avoid anything that might overwrite the data, and use the right recovery tools for the job.
How data loss happens on external hard drives
There are a few common ways files can become inaccessible on an external drive:
Accidental deletion – Files may be deleted accidentally while trying to free up space or organize the drive. Once deleted, the data still exists on the drive until new data overwrites it, but the links to access it are removed.
Corruption – If the file system or directory structures on the drive become corrupted, access to files may be blocked. This can happen due to sudden removal of the drive, power outages, viruses, and more.
Formatting – Formatting or repartitioning an external hard drive erases all data, making it seem like everything is gone. However, formatting does not overwrite the actual contents.
Physical damage – Dropping or otherwise damaging the physical drive can lead to lost access to data. However, as long as the platters inside are undamaged, recovery is often possible.
The key takeaway is that even though the files seem to disappear from your external drive, the data itself often still exists until it gets overwritten by new information. By avoiding further writes and using the right recovery tools, you have an excellent chance of getting that data back.
How to maximize chances of successful recovery
Once you realize important files are no longer accessible on your external hard drive, follow these steps to maximize the chances of successful recovery:
1. Stop using the drive immediately
As soon as you notice files missing from your external drive, unplug it from your computer. Every new write you make to the drive could overwrite your lost data and make it unrecoverable.
2. Avoid recovery software mistakes
Well-meaning attempts to recover data can make matters worse if you use the wrong recovery tools. More on this later.
3. Let a data recovery pro handle physical issues
If there are any signs of physical damage or mechanical failure, consider sending it to a professional recovery service for best results.
4. Connect the drive to a different computer
To avoid driver conflicts, connect the problematic external drive to a different computer for the data recovery attempt.
5. Make a clone or image of the drive before recovering data
Before running any recovery software, create a sector-by-sector clone or image file. This preserves the drive state without risk.
Following those basic precautions will avoid the common mistakes that make data recovery much more difficult or impossible. Next, let’s look at software solutions for accessing your lost files.
Software options for recovering lost data from external drives
Many free options exist for recovering lost or deleted files from external drives. However, not all recovery software works the same. Here are some options, from the simple to more advanced:
File recovery from the Recycle Bin
Any files you accidentally deleted from the external drive should be in the Recycle Bin on that computer. Simply restore them from there if they’ve not been permanently deleted. This is the fastest and easiest way if applicable.
Previous file versions
Microsoft Windows has a feature that can revert selected files to previous versions. Right click a file, go to Properties > Previous Versions and choose a time before the file was lost.
System Restore
Windows users can try using System Restore to roll back the system’s state to before the data was lost. System Restore does not affect user files, but it can help with corrupted system files causing issues.
Recovery software
More advanced file recovery software scans the external drive and attempts to reconstruct lost files. Popular free options include Recuva, MiniTool Power Data Recovery Free, TestDisk and PhotoRec, and EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free. They vary in capabilities and features.
Data recovery specialists
For extremely complex cases with mechanical failures, specialized data recovery companies use techniques like repairing drive components, chip swaps, forensic recovery methods, and clean room facilities to access unreadable drives. This costs hundreds to thousands of dollars but offers the best chance of recovering data in extreme situations.
The recovery software solutions provide an excellent starting point when files have been accidentally deleted or become inaccessible on an external drive due to software issues. Let’s go over some best practices when using these tools.
Best practices when using file recovery software
Data recovery software enables you to restore lost files, but there are some important rules to follow for the best results:
– As mentioned, you should always work on a clone or image of the external drive rather than running recovery software directly on the drive. This protects the actual external drive from further modification.
– Carefully read through all program options and instructions before starting a scan or recovery. Once a scan starts, avoid interrupting it.
– Choose a recovery location on a different drive than the problem external drive. This avoids overwriting the lost files you want to recover.
– Many tools offer both a “quick” and “full” scan option. Try quick first, but switch to full if needed to find more lost data.
– Setup options allow choosing which file types to scan for. Uncheck unimportant types to avoid clutter.
– Avoid saving the recovered files back to the problem external drive. Create a new folder for them on another drive.
– When saving recovered files, give them new file names to avoid overwriting originals.
– Expect many recovered files to be corrupted and unusable. Focus on recovering important documents, photos, and other irreplaceable data.
– Be cautious of any software needing to overwrite data or rebuild the external drive’s file system. This may destroy files.
Following those tips will help you successfully restore your lost files with free recovery software. Next, let’s go over some specific tool recommendations.
Recuva
Recuva (available at https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva) is a popular free file recovery program from Piriform, the makers of CCleaner. It’s easy to use yet provides advanced features both in the free and premium paid versions.
Recuva’s wizard-style interface makes it straightforward to scan a drive and view recovered files. Filters allow searching for specific file types. Files can be previewed directly in the app and recovered with one click.
Behind the simple interface, Recuva uses advanced techniques to recover lost data. It can retrieve files from healthy drives, newly formatted drives, corrupt or damaged media, and even from some SSDs.
Additional benefits of Recuva:
– Optimized scan for quick initial results or deep scan for more complete searches
– Can recover files from many devices including memory cards and MP3 players
– Secure overwrite option to completely remove confidential files
– Ability to search results by file name or type
– Filters like date deleted and size to pinpoint files
– Preview photos, documents, and some video/audio files
– Recovered files can be saved directly to an external drive
For convenience and ease of use, Recuva is a reliable choice for recovering lost data from external hard drives and other media.
TestDisk and PhotoRec
TestDisk and PhotoRec are a powerful pair of recovery apps bundled together for both file recovery and fixing complex drive issues. They’re included in many Linux distros and can be downloaded for Windows at https://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk.
TestDisk focuses mainly onpartition and boot recovery. It can:
– Fix corrupted partition tables and rebuild damaged or deleted partitions
– Recover deleted partition boot sectors and bootable OS images
– Repair FAT, NTFS, and other filesystem types
– Recover lost partitions when data is still present
– Fix MBR and rebuild damaged partition tables
So in addition to files, TestDisk can make non-booting drives usable again.
PhotoRec is the file recovery side. It bypasses the filesystem and scans the raw drive recovering media files based on headers, footers, and data structures. It can recover:
– Lost photos, video, audio, and documents
– Archives, executable files, and emails
– Files from deleted or lost partitions and unbootable media
PhotoRec has a simple interface and recovers files quickly. It works very well for photo, video, and general file recovery. TestDisk adds capabilities beyond typical recovery software for fixing deeper drive issues. Together they provide a robust recovery option.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (available at https://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/free-data-recovery-software.htm) makes file recovery straightforward for Windows users. It’s popular both for its free and premium versions.
The software’s highlights include:
– Quick and deep scanning to find deleted files and lost partitions
– Filtering by file type, location, size, date, and other criteria
– Preview photos, office documents, video, and more before recovering
– Cloning drives for recovery without risk of overwriting
– Recover lost or inaccessible data from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, SD cards, etc.
– 100% safe read-only operations protect data
This tool makes it easy for anyone to recover files. Its simplified workflows guide users through drive scanning, file filtering, previewing, and recovery. Custom scan settings, search tools, and cloning features provide advanced capabilities beyond basic wizard-driven recovery.
Overall, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard delivers reliable, complete file recovery in a straightforward package. Combined with disk imaging for safety, it provides an intuitive solution for home users while still offering features needed in a professional setting.
Comparison chart
| Software | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Recuva | – Wizard interface for easy use – Optimized/deep scanning options – Previews many file types – Secure overwrite feature |
Free or $19.95 (premium version) |
| TestDisk & PhotoRec | – Advanced repair of partitions & boot sectors – Recovers from unbootable drives – Scans raw drive for lost media files |
Free open source |
| EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | – Simple guided recovery workflow – Cloning drives before recovery – Filter and search tools – Previews photos, video, docs |
Free or $69.95 (pro version) |
This table summarizes the key strengths and costs of top recommended recovery tools. The free versions provide robust file recovery capabilities, while paid upgrades add features for IT professionals.
Conclusion
Recovering lost data from external hard drives is often possible using free recovery software. By avoiding common mistakes, maximizing the chances of recovery, and using the right tools for the job, you can restore your lost photos, documents, music, video, and other important files.
The key is acting quickly to stop further data loss, creating a backup image of the external drive, and letting advanced utility software do the heavy lifting to bring your files back. Just stay calm, avoid any rash actions that could make matters worse, and your data will likely be rescued and restored with the help of powerful yet easy to use free recovery tools. Be sure to follow best practices and give one of these top recommended utilities a try.