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A hard disk stores important user data such as business documents, project files, personal photos, etc. The system programs and the operating system are also stored on the hard disk. Sometimes users accidentally delete important files or lose access to files due to a corrupt hard disk or virus attacks. When the data is deleted, the space is marked as free and ready to store new data. Until new data is stored, there is always a chance to recover data. This article explains the most common causes of data loss, with methods to recover deleted hard drive data efficiently.
Most Common Causes of Data Loss in Hard Drives
Before diving into data recovery methods to recover deleted hard drive data, it’s important to understand the common reasons behind the Hard Drive data loss:
- Accidental Deletion: Users permanently remove their files intentionally or by carelessly pressing the Shift+Delete key and/or emptying the Recycle Bin.
- Formatting Hard Drive: Drives are either formatted intentionally or by mistake, erasing all data within them entirely.
- Hard Disk Partition Loss: Formatting or erasing one or more partitions of the hard disk drive.
- Virus Attacks: Viruses, worms, and Trojans can corrupt data, even delete it from the Hard Drive without the user’s knowledge.
- Hardware Failure: This could make some of the data stored on the hard drive inaccessible due to an impact on the hard drive.
- Software Malfunctions: Transmitted data may be lost due to such occurrences as hardware or software failure, for instance, as a result of an operating system breakdown or a glitch.
Methods to Recover Deleted Hard Drive Data
First of all, you must stop using the hard drive from which you want to recover deleted files. Data lost can be recovered until another piece of data overwrites them on disk sectors. Do not store new documents, applications, or programs on that drive, such as saving new files, running new applications, or installing new software.
Here are the methods to recover deleted hard drive data.
Method 1: Restore from the Recycle Bin
When a file is deleted, it is moved to the Recycle Bin unless you have used the Shift+Del key to permanently delete it. You can restore it by right-clicking and choosing the option “Restore” in the Recycle Bin folder.
Method 2: Use Built-In Windows Recovery Tools
Today, there are options in modern operating systems for recovering lost files. For example, Windows provides File History or Restore Previous Versions options to recover lost files.
Recover Files Using Restore Previous Versions
- Locate the folder where the file was stored before deletion.
- Right-click on the folder.
- Select Restore Previous Versions.
- Choose from the various backup versions available and click Restore.
Method 3: Recover Deleted Hard Drive Data with a Professional Tool
To restore files from your hard disk, you can take the help of the professional Data Recovery Toolkit from BLR Tools or take your hard disk to a manual data recovery center. However, the cost of recovering files from a hard drive is relatively high, which is why you are advised to try the recommended software, as it is cheaper and faster than the manual recovery services.
Conclusion
Losing important data can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you have permanently lost the data. The data is safe in the hard disk until new data is not overwritten. It allows users to perform data recovery methods to recover deleted data from a hard drive before it’s too late. One can search lost data in the Recycle Bin, restore previous versions of folders, or use a professional tool to recover lost files instantly.
