How to Retrieve Data from Hard Drive?

Your Windows PC uses a hard drive to store and retrieve data. A hard drive is an electro-mechanical storage device that stores data in sectors and blocks on a rotating platter surfaced with magnetic material, and the data is retrieved randomly through a read-write magnetic head.

When you delete a file on your computer, the Windows operating system doesn't remove the file from the hard drive by writing random 0s and 1s on the storage sector or block. Instead, to speed up computing, the OS simply updates the hard drive's file system and marks the pointer to the storage area containing the file as free. Any new file can overwrite the free storage area. So, after data loss, you must stop using the drive immediately to avoid any overwriting on the deallocated storage space. You may resume hard drive usage after performing data recovery.

The next sections describe how data loss can happen on a hard drive and what all you can do to retrieve your lost data from the hard drive.

Common Data Loss Scenarios on Hard Drive

• Deletionis the most common scenario for data loss on a hard drive. You usually delete your file (document, photo, video, email message, audio, or archive file) by pressing the Delete key, then later empty your Recycle Bin without peeking into its stored content, or use Shift + Delete key combination to remove a file from your PC. Later, you realize, you need those deleted files back and suffer from data loss.
• Formattingis another likely scenario for data loss on a hard drive. Usually when you format your PC at the time of installing Windows or format a non-boot volume or external hard drive, you back up its stored content beforehand. Data loss occurs when you don't have a backup and the hard drive is formatted either accidentally or purposefully.
• Corruptionof hard drive is yet another data loss scenario. When an internal hard drive turns corrupt, your PC won't boot due to damage in master boot record or boot configuration data. For the external hard drive, corruption in the file system makes it inaccessible but is visible in Disk Management as RAW. If partition data turns corrupt, one or more drive partitions are lost. Reasons for corruption can be a power outage, virus, bad sectors, improper ejection of external hard drive, incomplete data saving on the hard drive, etc.
• Crashingis also another common data loss scenario on a hard drive. When system software crashes, Windows throws blue screen of death (BSOD) and the internal hard drive data turns inaccessible. Also, when any application software freezes or stops responding, ending the task by using Task Manager won't save the app's unsaved data, thus results in data loss.
• Failureis an inevitable data loss scenario on a hard drive. Hard drive fails automatically after its lifespan. But it can also fail earlier due to mishandling, electric surge, fire, or water that creates bad sectors, damages its internal components, or makes the drive dead. Data loss from a physical failure of a hard drive can't be stopped but the drive's back up can be a savior.

When data loss occurs on your internal or external hard drive due to any of the above reasons or otherwise, don't panic. Implement the following methods to retrieve your data from a hard drive.

Methods to Retrieve Data from Hard Drive

1. Use Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin stores the records of yourdeletedfiles temporarily. So, when you delete a file on your PC by using the Delete key, you can immediately pressControl + Zkey combination to undo the operation. If you've deleted your file earlier, then you can't undo. In such a case, open Recycle Bin to look for your deleted file. When you find your file, right-click on it, and select Restore to return the file to its original location.

This method won't work in case you've usedShift + Deletekey combination, emptied your Recycle Bin, or deleted a file from an external hard drive, as the file's record is not saved in Recycle Bin and is removed immediately. Then a backup or a data recovery software can help retrieve your deleted data from a hard drive.

2. Use App's Inbuilt Recovery Feature

应用,如微软Outlook stores deleted emails on your hard drive in theDeleted Itemsfolder. If you've deleted an email message accidentally on Outlook, immediately pressControl + Zkeys to undo the deletion. Or else, go to theDeleted Itemsfolder from the left pane of Outlook and drag and drop the message to the Inbox folder.

If the message is also deleted from the Deleted Items folder, then open the Deleted Items folder, and in the Home tab, clickRecover Deleted Items from Server. Select the required email message and click OK to get back the deleted message on the Deleted Items folder.

3. Use File History Backup Drive

When you have backed up your PC hard drive before data loss by using File History, you can use the File History backup drive to restore your deleted files. For an external hard drive, File History won't work. In such a case, a clone of the external hard drive, backup of important files to yet another external hard drive, or a data recovery software can help retrieve your lost data from the external hard drive.

4. Use OneDrive

If you have synced your important folders on your PC hard drive to OneDrive, the proprietary cloud storage drive from Microsoft, you can use your OneDrive account to access your synced data from anywhere, anytime by using the Internet.

5. Use Windows Data Recovery Software

A Windows data recovery software can help you to retrieve data from your internal or external hard drive that is subjected to deletion, formatting, corruption, or software failure. Steps are as follows:

• Download and install the *trial versionStellar Data Recovery Standard for Windowson your PC.
• Run the software. On theSelect What To Recoverscreen, toggle on the required types of data, then clickNext.
• On theRecover Fromscreen, select the hard drive, toggle onDeep Scan,and then clickScan.
• Once the scan is over, preview the scanned files, select all those that are required, and then clickRecover.
• On the dialog box, clickBrowseto specify a distinct save location preferably an external hard drive, then clickSave.
• Once data recovery is over, verify the recovered data from the saved location.

*The trial version of Stellar Data Recovery Standard for Windows allows unlimited free drive scan and file preview. But to save your recoverable files, you need to activate the software. The best part is the software offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so activate it with full confidence.

To retrieve data from the hard drive of a dead computer, extract the storage device then connect it to another working computer as an external drive. If the data is accessible, copy all your files to another external storage medium. If the drive is inaccessible, use the recommended software to scan and recover your data.

6. Use Data Recovery Service

Data recovery service is useful in case of failure of a hard drive due to any physical data loss situations. If your hard drive has undergone physical damage, then don't try any unreliable data recovery method. Instead, go for the best data recovery service with the following attributes:

• Has ISO certified service center
• Uses Class 100 clean room
• Guarantees data recovery after analysis
• Provides secure & reliable service
• Provides complete data confidentiality
• 没有恢复免费政策
• Provides free shipping of hard drive

Conclusion

检索从硬dri你的丢失或删除数据ve (internal or external) on your Windows 10 computer by looking for your deleted files in Recycle Bin, application's built-in recovery feature, File History backup, or OneDrive, whatever is applicable in your case.

If none of the above methods work, useStellar Data Recovery Standard for Windowsto retrieve data from your PC or external hard drive. The DIY software is compatible with Windows 10 and supports NTFS, exFAT, and FAT file systems. For physical data loss situations, use a trustworthy data recovery service.