Whether you delete a file by accident or on purpose, the result is the same: your data is gone. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to accept your loss. There are a number of ways to recover your data from a hard drive when you’ve accidentally deleted it.
Recovering data from a hard drive really depends on the circumstances. In some cases, you can recover the data quickly and easily. However, in other cases, you may need to make some more drastic measures to retrieve your files. Here are 5 ways to recover your data when you’ve accidentally deleted it.
Format the Drive
Formatting the drive will wipe it clean of all data. If you are unable to recover your data, you may need to format the hard drive. However, formatting the drive is not recommended as it can damage or corrupt the information on your hard drive.
Reinstall the Operating System
If you delete a file on your hard drive and that file is essential to the running of your computer, then reinstalling the operating system will be your best bet. When you reinstall the operating system, all of the data on your hard drive will be erased. However, if you want to recover a single file or two, this may not be an issue.
When you reinstall the operating system, it will overwrite any data on your hard drive with a fresh blank slate. The sooner you do this, the more likely it will work. If you wait too long after deleting a file, then there’s no guarantee that it will work because other files have been saved in the time since.
Rebuild the File Structure
One of the easiest ways to recover your data is by rebuilding the file structure. You can do this by using a program like FRS data recovery or Disk Drill. This method isn’t as effective in some instances though, because it relies on the computer being able to find and locate the files you want to restore.
Reopen and Manage the Files
If you deleted a file from your computer, it might still be in the system. You can go back to the previous version of the file by using recycle bin or the “File>Undo” function.
Change to a New Drive and Format It
If you’ve formatted your hard drive, you may be able to change the partition and recover the data. The first step is to change your drive to a new one and then format it. This will allow you to access the unallocated space on your hard drive. You can then use a recovery program like Recuva or Data Recovery Professional
Conclusion
Data is not a replaceable commodity. This is especially true when it comes to the data we store on our computers, phones and tablets. When you delete data from these devices, it’s gone for good unless you take the proper steps to recover it.