Category: Windows

Summary: The factory reset in Windows 11 is a useful tool when you deal with a malware infection or troubleshoot operating system errors or improve performance. But the disadvantage is the data loss that follows the reset. It doesn’t have to be anymore! This article will help you recover data after Windows 11 factory reset.

Content Table:

• How to factory reset Windows 11?
• Is it possible to recover data after Windows 11 reset?
• How do I recover files after factory resetting Windows 11?
  • Restore files after factory reset Windows 11 using backup
  • Recover files from factory reset Windows 11 using data recovery software
    • Steps to use SFWare data recovery software
• Tips to follow before resetting PC

How to Factory Reset Windows 11?

Before we learn how to recover files after factory resetting Windows 11, let us look at how you perform a Windows 11 resetting. You can find the instructions below,

• Select Settings in the start menu of Windows 11.
• In the settings window, click on the System tab.
• Find and click on the Recovery option.
• Click on the Reset PC button.

• In the window that pop-up, click on the Keep my files option.

Note: You can choose the Remove Everything option to start using the system as new.

• Then click on the Local Reinstall option.

Note: If you want to download the latest version of Windows 11 then click on the Cloud download option.

• In the next window, you will be warned about the consequences, click on the Next button.

• Wait for the process to complete.

Is it Possible to Recover Data after Windows 11 Reset?

The question before you reset the Windows 11 is “Can you recover data after factory resetting Windows 11?” and the answer is Yes, you can recover any data from your system if the data is not overwritten.

How Do I Recover Files after Factory Resetting Windows 11?

When you reset Windows 11, if you click on the Keep my files option, then you are safe. But if you accidentally choose the Remove Everything option, your system will be wiped clean. This is where you need to resort to data recovery. You can find two options below.

1.     Restore Files after Factory Reset Windows 11 Using Backup

You might have heard that regularly backing up your data is a best practice to protect your data. If you have the habit, you are in luck. You can restore the files from the backup.

You can create a backup using the following instructions,

• Open the Control Panel from the start menu.
• Find and click on the Backup and Restore option.
• Click on the Set-up backup option.
• Now select the drive to backup and click on Next.
• Now click on Let Me Choose and click on Next.
• Select the files or folders you want to back up and click on Next.
• Review the settings and click on Save settings and run backup button.
• You can schedule the backup regularly.

Below you can find steps to restore files using the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 11,

• Open the Control Panel from the start menu.
• Find and click on the Backup and Restore option.
• Click on Select another backup to restore files from option.
• In the window that opens, choose the latest backup, and click on the Next button.
• Check the Select all files from this backup box.
• Click on the Next button.
• Choose In the original location option and click on the Restore button.

2.     Recover Files from Factory Reset Windows 11 Using Data Recovery Software

Now what if you didn’t have the latest backup or none, you must use a third-party data recovery tool. We recommend you use SFWare Data Recovery software, a user-friendly software that is developed to manage data loss scenarios in multiple storage devices.

Steps to Use SFWare Data Recovery Software

Download and install SFWare Data Recovery software to your system and follow the steps below,

• Launch the software and click on the Recover Drives/Partitions option.

• Now click on the Driver/Partition Recovery option.

• Click on the disk from which you need to recover lost data and click on the Next button.

• Now select the partitions and click on the Next button.

• Wait for the scan to complete.
• Now you will be shown the data in a window with Data View and File Type View options.

• You can preview the quality of recovery by double-clicking on the file.
• If you are satisfied with the result, then save the files.

Tips to Follow Before Resetting PC

You can follow some simple tips to have a relaxing experience after a Windows 11 resetting. Find some of them below,

• Back up your important data.
• List down the applications installed.
• Save the browser data.
• Note the hardware drivers.
• Disable encryptions on drives.
• Deauthorize applications with limited authentication.

Conclusion

Factory resetting in Windows 11 is useful when you need to deal with issues or improve performance. But most of us don’t prefer it, due to the fear of data loss. But now that we learn that it is not the case, you can always recover files after factory resetting Windows 11. You have seen two methods to complete the data recovery.

In the end, we provide some tips to follow to experience a relaxing time after the resetting. Let us know how your experience was resetting your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc. in the comment.

Summary: A disk boot failure is a grave issue that causes the operating system to crash or data loss in your system. Fortunately, you could find some easy methods to fix disk boot failure and recover data even if you lost them from disk boot failure.

Content Table:

• What is a disk boot failure?
  • What causes disk boot failure?
• How to fix disk boot failure?
  • Replace damaged data cable
  • Modify BOIS boot order
  • Run CHKDSK command
  • Repair corrupt operating systems
• Recover data from disk boot failure
  • Steps to restoring data using SFWare data recovery software
• How to prevent data loss from disk boot failure?

What is a Disk Boot Failure?

Disk Boot Failure is an error message that appears on your computer screen when the system fails to start up from the hard drive. When a disk boot failure occurs, the computer may display an error message, such as “Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk, and Press Enter,” or it may simply fail to boot up and display a black screen. It indicates that the computer is unable to find a bootable operating system on the hard drive or there is an issue with the boot sector of the hard drive.

What Causes Disk Boot Failure?

Now that we discuss what is a Disk boot failure, there are many reasons for this to occur. We gave some of them below for you to understand your situation better.

• Incorrect boot order – The computer tries to boot from the wrong device, such as a USB drive or CD, instead of the primary hard drive.
• Damage to data cable – It can cause various issues with the functioning of the hard drive, such as slow performance, data corruption, and failure to boot up.
• Hard drive failures –The hard drive of a computer stops working correctly and fails to store, retrieve, or access data.
• Operation system corruption – The files and settings that make up the operating system become damaged, leading to various issues such as system crashes, error messages, and application failures.

How to Fix Disk Boot Failure?

Disk Boot Failure is a common issue that can cause a lot of frustration for computer users. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to fix this problem. It is important to identify the underlying cause of the issue before attempting any fixes. Once the cause has been identified, you can try to repair the disk boot failure. It is important to back up important data before attempting any method to repair disk boot failure to avoid data loss.

1.     Replace Damaged Data Cable

If the data cable connecting the hard drive to the motherboard is damaged, it can cause Disk Boot Failure. Fix the damaged data cable issue by replacing it with a new one. It is important to ensure that the newly connected data cable is proper and secure to avoid any further issues. After replacing the damaged data cable, restart the computer and check if the Disk Boot Failure issue is resolved.

2.     Modify BOIS Boot Order

When the boot order is incorrect, the computer may try to boot from a non-bootable device such as a USB drive or CD instead of the primary hard drive.

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings.

Note: The key to enter the BIOS may vary depending on your computer brand, but it is usually displayed on the screen during startup.

• Go to the Boot menu using the arrow keys.
• Locate the Hard Drive option and move it to the top of the boot order list by using the arrow keys.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.

Restart your computer and check if the Disk Boot Failure issue is repaired.

Note: Modifying the BIOS boot order is a simple fix that can solve many booting issues, but if the problem persists, it may indicate a more serious hardware or software issue that requires further troubleshooting.

3.     Run CHKDSK Command

Checking the hard drive for issues can help detect any errors or damages that may be causing the boot failure.

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings.
• Go to the Boot menu and select the option to boot from a CD or USB with a bootable operating system.
• Follow the prompts to run the Command Prompt.
• Run a disk check using the command chkdsk /f to scan for any errors on the hard drive.

Wait for the scan to complete, and if any errors are found, follow the prompts to repair them. Restart your computer and check if the Disk Boot Failure issue is fixed.

Note: If the hard drive is severely damaged, it may not be possible to repair it and a replacement may be necessary.

4.     Repair Corrupt Operating Systems

Repairing the corrupt operating system can help fix any issues with the system files that may be causing the boot failure.

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings and select the option to boot from a CD or USB with a bootable operating system.
• Follow the prompts to start the Windows Setup and click Next.
• Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
• Select Troubleshoot and then Advanced options.
• Select Startup Repair and follow the prompts to repair the operating system.

Once the repair process is complete, restart your computer and check if the Disk Boot Failure issue is resolved.

Note: The issue is caused by hardware failure, such as a faulty hard drive, it may not be possible to repair the operating system and reinstallation may needed.

Recover Data from Disk Boot Failure

Disk Boot Failure can sometimes lead to data loss if the hard drive is damaged or corrupted. However, there are several methods to recover data from this hard drive. It is important to note that attempting to recover data from a damaged hard drive can further damage the drive, so we recommended SFWare Data Recovery Software as a powerful tool that can recover data from various storage devices.

Steps to Restoring Data Using SFWare Data Recovery Software

Download and install the SFWare data recovery software on your computer to recover data after disk boot failure repair is done.

• Launch the software and choose Recover Files from the home screen.

• Then choose from the two options on the next screen:
  • Deleted File Recovery
  • Lost File Recovery

• Now, select the drive from which you want to recover data then click Next.

• After the scan is complete, the recoverable files are displayed in a window which a Data view and File type view.

Note: Preview the recoverable files to ensure they are the files you want to recover.

• Select the files you want to restore and choose a location to save the recovered files and click Next.

Note: It is recommended to save the files to a different drive than the one you scanned.

• Click on the Recover button to restore the selected files to the chosen location.

Note: Make sure to activate the software to complete the recovery process successfully.

How to Prevent Data Loss from Disk Boot Failure?

1. Regular backups: Make sure to back up your important data regularly to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or other storage devices. This ensures that you have a copy of your important data even if the hard drive fails.
2. Keep software updated: Keep your operating system and other software updated to avoid any compatibility issues or software-related problems that could cause Disk Boot Failure.
3. Use reliable hardware: Use reliable and high-quality hardware components such as hard drives, data cables, and power supplies to reduce the risk of hardware failure.
4. Use antivirus software: Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect your computer from malware that can cause Disk Boot Failure and data loss.
5. Perform regular maintenance: Perform regular maintenance such as disk cleanup, defragmentation, and disk error checking to ensure the health of the hard drive and avoid Disk Boot Failure.

Conclusion

Disk Boot Failure can be a frustrating and alarming issue that can lead to data loss and other problems. However, with the right approach, it can resolve and prevented from happening in the future. We have given you some methods to fix disk boot failure, and how to recover data lost due to disk boot failure. Let us know what your experience using these methods in the comment box.

Summary: The error code 0x8000ffff appears when you try to update your operating system or install or update software from the Microsoft Store. If you experience the Windows update error 0x8000ffff, this article will help you repair the error.

Content Table:

• What is Windows update error 0x8000ffff?
• Methods to repair Windows update error 0x8000ffff
  • Method 1: Check for virus/malware infection
  • Method 2: Correct your system clock
  • Method 3: Run Windows update troubleshooter
  • Method 4: Run SFC scan
  • Method 5: Load Windows in safe mode with networking
  • Method 6: Reset Windows update components
• How to recover data after error code 0x8000ffff?
  • Steps to use SFWare data recovery software

What is Windows Update Error 0x8000ffff?

Regular updating is a good practice to keep your system safe from vulnerabilities and other issues. But sometimes, when you try to install an update – be it a system update or application update – you may get an update error code 0x8000ffff.

There are multiple reasons why you experience a window update error. Below can see some of the common causes for the error,

• Malware or virus infection.
• The date and time are not set correctly.
• System file corruption.
• Conflict with antivirus or other software.
• Critical services are not running.

Methods to Repair Windows Update Error 0x8000ffff

If you are facing error 0x8000ffff when you update the operating system or applications from the Microsoft store. Below, you can find a curated list of sure-shot and easy-to-execute methods to repair Windows update error 0x8000ffff. Follow the instructions carefully to obtain the best result possible.

Method 1: Check for Virus/Malware Infection

The first reason for the error 0x8000ffff we are discussing is the malware or virus infections. This is a common reason for many of the issues in a system.

You can scan the system for malicious infections using Windows Security or third-party anti-virus software. Below you can find steps to use Windows Security to scan your system,

• In the Search on the taskbar type Windows Security.
• Now click on Open.
• In the window, click on Virus & threat protection from the left side of the screen.
• Now on the right side of the screen click on the Quick Scan button in the Current Threats section.
• Wait for the scan to complete.
• If you didn’t find any issues you can click on Scan options.
• Now select Full Scan and click on Scan Now button.

Method 2: Correct Your System Clock

If the date and time of your system are configured wrong, then you may face a Windows update error. Below you can find the steps to modify the date and time of your system,

• Go to Settings from the start menu.
• Click on Time & Language tab on the window.
• Now click on Date & time option.
• Turn on the Set time automatically.

Method 3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Microsoft has provided built-in troubleshooters to deal with many of the issues that occur in a Windows system. Follow the below instructions to use the Windows Update Troubleshooter,

• From the start menu, go to Settings.
• In the window, find and click on Troubleshoot in System.
• Now click on Other troubleshooters in the following window.
• Now find Windows Update and click on the Run
• If any errors are found it will ask you to fix them, click on Yes to start the repair process.

Method 4: Run SFC Scan

SFC (System File Checker) is a command line tool to scan system files. Corruption in system files is one of the common reasons for the error 0x8000ffff when you try to update in Windows. Follow the instructions below to run the SFC scan,

• Type CMD in the start menu and click on Run as administrator.
• In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Note: This is a time-consuming process, please wait until it completes.

• If the scan does not work, please execute the below commands and press Enter after each.
  • DISM.EXE /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH
  • DISM.exe/ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTH
  • DISM.exe/ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH

• After the process is completed, restart the system, and try to update again.

Method 5: Load Windows in Safe Mode with Networking

The Safe mode is a great way to diagnose the system for any conflicting applications or services. You can load the Windows in Safe mode with Networking to try to update the system without any interference. Follow the instructions to use Safe mode,

• Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialogue box.
• Now type msconfig and press Enter.
• Click on the Boot tab.
• Now check the Safe boot check box and select Network in the Boot options section.
• Now click on Apply and OK.
• Restart your system to enter Safe mode.
• Once the system is loaded you can try to update your system.

Method 6: Reset Windows Update Components

Sometimes a Windows update error 0x8000ffff is occurred due to corrupted Windows update files, Windows update service being stopped, incorrect registry entries, etc. We can reset the Windows update components to solve the issues. Follow the steps below to repair the error,

• Type CMD in the start menu and click on Run as administrator.
• Now type each command below and press Enter after each.
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver

Note: Once the services are disabled, you must rename the files SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2.

• Now type the following in the command prompt and press Enter after each,
  • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old.
  • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old.
• Now type each command below and press Enter after each.
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver
• After completing the process, you can restart the system and try to update again.

How to Recover Data after Error Code 0x8000ffff?

If you are experiencing Windows update error 0x8000ffff and persist longer, then your system may start to crash. These crashes can cause data loss.

In such cases, you can use SFWare Data Recovery Software to recover data after the error 0x8000ffff. This is a user-friendly tool to recover data from many data loss scenarios. You can follow the steps given below.

Steps to Use SFWare Data Recovery Software

Download and install SFWare Data Recovery Software to your system and follow the instructions,

• Open the software and click on the Recover File button.

• In the following window click on Deleted File Recovery button.

• Select the drive from which you are experiencing data loss and click on the Next button.

• Once the scanning is completed, you will see a window displaying your data in Data View or File Type View.

• You can preview the files to verify that result.
• Now select the file you want to recover and click on Next.
• Provide a location to save the file and click on Next.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have gone through the troubleshooting of Window update error 0x8000ffff. We have discussed the reasons and methods to solve the error. Ultimately, we provide you with a data recovery solution if you face data loss from the error. Feel free to let us know your experience with these methods.

Summary: In the article, we delve into the common issue faced by Windows users known as the “Missing Operating System” error. We explore the causes behind this error, which occurs when the computer fails to locate essential files for booting up the operating system. Our objective is to provide readers with insights on effectively addressing this problem. Furthermore, we address the potential data loss that can accompany this error, offering guidance on how to handle such situations. Stay informed and prepared with our comprehensive guide to the missing operating system error in Windows.

Content Table:

• What is Missing Operating System means?
• Causes for Missing Operating System error
• How to Repair Missing Operating System Windows?
  • Method 1: Check boot order in BIOS
  • Method 2: Check if BIOS detect the hard drive
  • Method 3: Diagnose the hard drive
  • Method 4: Reset BIOS to default
  • Method 5: Rebuild master boot record (MBR)
  • Method 6: Active correct Windows partition
  • Method 7: Install a new Windows
• Can You Recover Data from Missing Operating System Error?
  • Steps to recover data using SFWare Data Recovery software
• Precaution to avoid data loss from your system

What is Missing Operating System means?

A missing operating system is an error that occurs when you try to boot a Windows operating system. This indicates that the computer can’t find the required files to boot the operating system. A missing operating system occurs due to several reasons.

Causes for Missing Operating System Error

• System files Corruption: If the files responsible for booting Windows become corrupted, it can prevent the operating system from loading.
• Damage to the hard drive: If the hard drive containing the operating system files gets corrupted, the computer is not able to locate the files to boot.
• Incorrect boot order: If the BIOS settings are configured to boot from an incorrect device, the operating system cannot load.
• Corruption in Master Boot Record (MBR): The MBR is a major part of the boot process that helps the computer find the operating system. If the MBR is corrupted, then the computer cannot locate the files.
• Virus/malware infections: A virus or malware infection can cause damage to the operating system files, which then prevents booting the operating system.
• Accidental system file deletion: Deleting or moving system files can cause considerable damage to the operating system, resulting in the “Missing Operating System” error.

How to Repair Missing Operating System Windows?

Facing missing operating system error on your Windows system is a sad affair when you depend on your computer for work and other important tasks. There are solutions you can try to repair the issue. We will provide some of the simple once you can use to repair the missing operating system error message on a Windows computer.

Method 1: Check boot order in BIOS

Boot order is the order in which computer firmware attempts to boot from different devices. The boot order determines the sequence in which the computer check each device for operating system files. Usually, it set to check the hard drive first, where the operating system normally installed. But it is important to check the boot order to conform that the computer boot from the correct device to avoid missing operating system error message.

• Restart your computer and press the designated key during startup to enter the BIOS

Note: The key to enter BIOS setup may vary depending on manufacturer.

• When you enter the setup, look for the Boot or Boot Order
• Check the boot order to ensure that the hard drive your operating system installed is first in the boot sequence.
• If not, use the arrow keys to select the correct drive and move it to the top of the list.
• Save the changes and exit the setup.

Note: The steps to check the boot order may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer and BIOS/UEFI version.

Method 2: Check if BIOS detect the hard drive

If the boot order is not the issue, then you should check is the hard drive is detected by the BIOS. Follow steps below,

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS
• In the menu find IDE Primary Master, IDE Primary Slave, and IDE Secondary Master.
• Check they detect or not, if no disk or None or Not Detected is shown then the BOIS do not detect the drive.

If the BIOS is not detecting the hard drive, it means an issue with hardware or BIOS settings. Check the hard drive connection to the computer. If the cable shows any damage, then you should change it and that should fix it.

Method 3: Diagnose the hard drive

When the problem stays even after fixing the connection then it could be an issue in the hard drive itself. So, you should diagnose the drive to find and fix the hard drive issues. BIOS utilities come a built-in diagnostics tool to help diagnose the hard drive or other storage devices.

• Restart the system and enter the BIOS
• Look for the Diagnostics or Tools section in the menu.
• Select Hard Drive Self Test and hit Enter to start the scan.

You will get one of the two results,

All tests were successful: The hard drive is not the issue. You can continue to next method.

The test was unsuccessful: It is a hard drive issue. You should replacement it.

Method 4: Reset BIOS to default

Now that we ruled out hard drive issues, resetting the BIOS to default settings is a useful troubleshooting step. This will restore the BIOS to original settings, which resolve any configuration issues that may be causing problem.

• Restart the system and enter the BIOS
• In the BIOS menu active default setup options, which include Load Optimal Defaults, Load Optimized Defaults, Get Default Values, Load Setup Defaults, etc.
• Now press F10 to save changes and exit the menu.

Note: Resetting the BIOS will erase custom settings. You may need to reconfigure the settings.

Method 5: Rebuild master boot record (MBR)

If you try and fail with above methods, then it could be damage to your master boot record (MBR) files. The MBR contains essential information about the disk partition layout and how the disk boots. If damaged, this could cause various issues, including missing operating systems. Rebuilding the MBR may help to resolve the issue. Here are the steps to rebuild the MBR using Windows installation media,

• Insert the Windows installation media (CD/DVD or USB drive) and restart the computer.
• Enter the Boot menu and select Boot from Windows installation media.
• In the Windows Setup screen, select your language preferences, then click on Next.
• Now click on Repair your computer in the bottom left corner.
• Then click on Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.
• Select Command Prompt from the list of advanced options.
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following and press Enter after each command.
  • bootrec/FixMbr
  • bootrec/FixBoot
  • bootrec/ScanOS
  • bootrec/RebuildBcd

When the process completed, remove the Windows installation media, and restart your computer.

Method 6: Active correct Windows partition

The other scenario for the missing operating system is when the partition containing the Windows operating system is not active. This is important when you use Legacy BIOS + MBR mode. We can active the partition using Diskpart utility.

• Insert the Windows installation media (CD/DVD or USB drive) and restart the computer.
• In the Windows Setup go to Repair your computer
• Now click on Troubleshoot and select Advanced options and Command Prompt.
• Type diskpart and press Enter.
• Type list disk and press Enter to display a list of all the partitions on your computer.

Note: Find and note down the number of the disk that contains the Windows operating system. It is usually the disk with the largest capacity.

• Type select disk X (replace X with the above-mentioned number) and press Enter.
• Type list volume and press Enter to display a list of all the partitions on your computer.

Note: Find and note down the number of the partition that contains the Windows operating system. It is usually the partition with the label System.

• Type “select volume X” (replace X with the number of the Windows partition) and press Enter.
• Type “active” and press Enter to activate the Windows partition.
• Type “exit” to close the Command Prompt window.

Method 7: Install a new Windows

Now that we have exhausted all the method to fix the missing operating system, the only way to access your computer is to install a new Windows operating system. You can use the Windows installation media and install new Windows to your system by following the on-screen instructions.

Can You Recover Data from Missing Operating System Error?

When a missing operating system error occurs, there is a chance of loss of data. The data may lose while repairing the error or when installing a new Windows operating system. But, with a right software, you recover lost files and data. One such software is SFWare Data Recovery software, it designed to recover lost, deleted, or formatted data from a wide range of storage devices.

Steps to recover data using SFWare Data Recovery Software

Before starting the recovery process, download and Install SFWare Data Recovery software on your system.

• Launch the tool; on the main screen, click on Recover Drives/Partition.

• Click on Drive/Partition Recovery on the next screen, which will show you storage devices.

• Select the device from which you want to recover and click Next. This will initiate a scan process.

Note: When the scan to complete, you can see all the partitions available.

• Select the partition you want to recover and click Next; this starts scanning the partition for recoverable data.

Note: When the scan is completed, it displays the data in a window with a Data view and File type view.

• You can double-click on the data to preview the data. Saving the data to your desired location if you are satisfied.

Note: Don’t choose the exact location to save, which will corrupt the data.

Precaution to avoid data loss from your system

• Do not turn off or restart your computer during the installation or update.
• Avoid interrupting the boot process.
• Ensure that your computer is not infected with malware or viruses.
• Regularly scan your hard drive for errors and bad sectors.
• Keep your computer’s BIOS up to date and configure the boot order correctly.
• Avoid physically damaging your computer’s hard drive or storage devices.

Conclusion

When faced with a missing operating system error, it looks like a tough situation. But with the simple steps given above, you can easily fix the error and start using your system in no time. Even if you are having a data loss scenario, we even provide a solution. So, if you are facing a situation to fix a missing operating system, try out the solutions and let us know how it helped you.

Summary:

Losing data from hard drive can be very big loss considering the dependability of data on computer. Every important document, photos, videos of fun events are saved in the form of memories. If you happen to lose data from hard drive, no need to panic. This article brings 5 different ways for you to retrieve data from hard disk drives. If you are looking for an instant way to recover data from hard drive, without wasting a single second click on the download button bellow and recover files from hard drive.

What causes data loss from hard drive?

A few reasons that can lead to data loss from hard drive is explained below:

Accidental deletion of files:

There are scenarios when files get deleted accidentally. If you have accidentally deleted files from hard drive, you can always find then on Recycle bin or Trash. However, if you have used Shift + Delete keys to delete files, Recycle Bin recovery or Trash recovery won’t be of help.

Formatting the drive:

Another most common reason for data loss from the hard drive is formatting. While you install new Windows update or format the error causing drive, keeping a backup becomes mandate to avoid data loss situation. However, if you have lost data while formatting the drive, not to worry! With the help of recovery methods given here, you can recover data from formatted hard disk without any hassle.

Corrupt hard drive:

When hard drive becomes corrupt, master boot record or boot configuration data gets damaged causing the PC to not to boot. Corruption in the file system makes files inaccessible and makes drive RAW. Therefore, when hard drive is corrupted, certain methods used to fix the corruption leads to data loss.

System software crash:

When system software crashes, it leads to blue screen of death which makes hard drive inaccessible. The system software freezes or doesn’t respond, in such situations the task manager fails to save any unsaved data and leads to data loss.

Abrupt usage of computer, insufficient power supply or power surge causes too much heat on the hard drive causing hard drive to freeze and becomes inaccessible leading to data loss.

Is it possible to recover hard drive?

Yes absolutely, you can recover hard drive. Be it deleted or formatted or corrupt hard drive you can recover data from it. However, to restore hard drive you need to stop using the drive soon after you realize data is lost. Because, when data is deleted or being lost from the drive, only address to the file or the pointer that holds the information of the file will be removed and the actual files exists on the drive.

With the help of safe and secure professional hard drive recovery software you can recover data from hard disk drives without any hassle. However only logical damage on the hard drive can be fixed and hard drive recovery is performed.

To know whether hard drive can be recovered or not, you need to understand the if the hard has logical issue or physical issue.

Logical damage:

Logical damage on the hard drive can be caused due to file system damage or hard drive corruption. When hard disk is logically damaged, hard drive becomes inaccessible and unbootable. This kind of errors can be repaired. Once the corrupt hard drive is repaired, you can use any recovery methods to retrieve data from corrupt hard drive.

Physical damage:

Hard drive issues caused by any physical damage stops the hard drive from working. Hard drive damage such as torn heads, problem in fan, scratches on platter or any damaged caused to the mechanical parts leads to physical damage. These kinds of damage cannot be fixed manually.

5 Easy Ways to Recover Files from Hard Drive

Here a few proven manual methods to retrieve files from hard drive-

Recycle Bin Recovery
Windows inbuilt recovery feature
Recover using File history or backup recovery
Recover from OneDrive
Professional way to recover data hard disk drive

Recycle Bin Recovery

When files are deleted accidentally or deleted using just Delete key, you can recover deleted files from Recycle Bin.

Note: If you have deled files using SHIFT + Delete keys or permanently deleted files from the computer, the deleted files surpass Recycle Bin.

1. 1. To recover files from Recycle Bin, go to Recycle Bin on desktop
   2. Navigate to the files in the list, select the files you want to restore
   3. Right click on the file and Restore

Windows inbuilt recovery feature (WinRE)

Windows Recovery Environment is the inbuilt feature in the Windows computer to recover deleted files from the hard drive.

Steps to recover files from hard disk:

Restart your PC by pressing the Shift key while you select the Power button> Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Your PC will restart in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) environment.

From the options select Troubleshoot, two option System Restore and Recovery are displayed. If options are not available, this is because your PC is not booting up from the drive.  To fix the issue, check your PC manufacturer’s website for information on how to change your PC’s boot order.

Trouble shoot >> select Advanced Options >> System Restore. This will help you restore your system to the restore point when you had enabled the system restore point.

Recover data using File History or Backup Recovery

Another easy way to recover files from hard drive is from Previous version or File History:

Note: You can recover files from File history only if you have enabled the restore point. If you have not enabled the restore point, this method will not help you in recovering hard drive.

Steps to recover files from restore point: Select the Start button >> go to Settings  >> Update & Security  > Back up .

Go to the backup using File History, select the recent restore point to recover files when restore point is creates.

Recover data from OneDrive

To recover from OneDrive, follow the steps given below:

Select the Start button >> go to Settings >> Update & Security > Back up.

Go to the backup using OneDrive, to recover files from OneDrive, you need to sign in to the drive. Once you are signed in, you can access files from OneDrive.

If none of the above methods helped you in recovering hard drive, this may be due to corruption on the drive. In such situation to recover data from corrupt hard drive, you need a professional data recovery software that scans drive’s each sector to search for the lost files from hard drive.

SFWare hard drive recovery tool is one of the most recommended tools by professionals to recover data from hard disks. The tool is designed in a way that it scans each sector on the drive to perform hard drive recovery without any hassle.

Professional way to recover data hard disk drive

Download and install SFWare Data recovery software on your computer and launch the application. Follow the instruction to start the recovery process.

To recover deleted or lost files from hard drive, from the main screen Select Recover Files >> Deleted File Recovery or Lost File Recovery. Based on the scenario from which you need to recover data from hard drive choose the option.

To recover data from corrupt or formatted hard drive, select Recover Drives from the main screen and based on the scenario choose either Drive/Partitions Recovery or Formatted Recovery

Select the hard disk drive from which you want to recover data from and click on Next

Software initiates the scanning. Once the scan is completed, all the recoverable files will be listed on window screen.

Select the files you want to recover form hard disk drive and save them on different location on the drive. with the help of SFWare, you can also recover data from dead hard drive.

Conclusion:

Here we end our discussion on recovering data from hard drive. where we have explained in detail about 4 DIY solution including recovering files from Recycle Bin, Restoring Files from OneDrive, restoring older versions of the drive using File History and Previous Versions option.

However, if those methods didn’t work out for you, you can make use of SFWare hard drive recovery software.

Frequently Asked Question

How can I recover my hard drive for free?

You can recover hard drive data for free using simple manual methods such as Recycle Bin recovery, Previous version. Previous version helps you recover files from hard drive using a restore point created before data loss. Windows Recovery Environment allows you perform system restore.

How to recover data from crashed hard disk?

If a hard drive crashed or dead due to physical damage, hard drive may never work again. However, if the hard drive is corrupt logically, data can be recovered using data recovery software.

Download SFWare hard drive recovery software on your computer and launch the application. Select Recover drives from the main option. Select corrupt drive recovery and follow the instructions. To recover data from the hard drive. If you are looking for ways to recover data from external hard drive, connect your drive to the computer and follow the instructions given.

Can a shredded hard drive be recovered?

Data can never be recovered from the shredded hard drive. The shredded hard drive refers to the pieces from hundreds of drives placed together and recycled.

Summary:

Losing files from an external hard drive can be expensive leading to loss of important files. If you are looking to recover data from an external hard drive, this article is right for you. Looking for a quick way out? Try SFWare Data Recovery Software to safely recover data from external hard drives. 

Table of contents

Reasons behind data loss from external HDD
Scenarios where external hard drive recovery is important
Is it possible to recover data from external hard drive?
How to recover data from an external hard drive?
How to recover deleted, Lost files from External HDD
How to recover data from unrecognized External hard drive? (undetected)
How to recover files from External corrupt or damaged HDD?
Frequently Asked Question

Reasons behind data loss from external HDD

A few common reasons that cause data loss from external hard drive are:

One of the most common reasons is accidental deletion of files from the external HDD. If files are accidentally deleted, you can always find them in Windows Recycle Bin or Trash in Mac computers.

Reformatting the drive to another file system erases all the data from the external drive. If you are trying to reformat the drive, make sure you have the backup of data and proceed with formatting or reformatting the drive.

Bad sectors on the hard drive makes drive’s sector unreadable therefore the files become inaccessible.

Virus/ malware attack on the drive, corrupted the drive and infects the file existing on the drive. Therefore, make sure to use antivirus software before using the device.

Abrupt handling of device (external hard drive), power failure, sudden power surge can damage the external hard drive and cause data loss.

Indications of external hard drive failure

When the drive starts showing certain indications, external hard drive recovery becomes important. Here are some of the scenarios listed below:

External Drive not detected: External hard drive won’t be recognised by your PC. In such situations, you won’t be able to know if the drive is in working condition or not. You can try some of the fixes to repair the external hard drive.

Drive Corruption: Data becomes inaccessible when the drive gets corrupt. In such a situation, all you need to do is recover your data from a corrupt external drive and repair the drive.

External drive detected but no files on it: This could be a result of severe corruption. If you come across such situation, it is recommended to recover data from external hard drive and fix the issue.

Is it possible to recover data from external hard drive?

Yes, it is possible to recover data from external hard drive. However, it is important to not use your hard drive until external hard drive recovery is performed. When data is lost or deleted from the hard drive, only the address that holds the information about file is deleted and the actual file still exists on the drive. If new data is written to the drive, the chance of over writing increases and external hard drive recovery becomes tough and tedious.

With the help of the safe and secure data recovery tool, you can recover deleted or lost files from external drive. SFWare Data recovery software is one of the most recommended software to recover data from external drive. Be it formatted or corrupt drive, the software scans the drive’s sector to recover all the files.

How to recover data from External hard drive?

If your data is deleted or lost from the external hard drive, here are some of the free methods that can help you recover deleted or lost files from external hard drive.

Recover files from external hard drive using CHKDSK

Recover files from external drive using file history

Recover Files from External hard drive using CHKDSK

To recover files using CHKDSK, connect your external hard drive to your computer.

Type command prompt in the search box >> Run as administrator click OK.

Type the following command in the CMD window and hit enter:

ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D F:*.*

Or First input drive letter F:

ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D :*.*

Replace E with your external hard disk drive letter
-h removes the hidden attribute. Therefore, the items will show up in Explorer.
-r removes the read-only attribute.
-s removes the system attribute. This also allows items to show up in Explorer
/s makes the command look in all subfolders recursively to recover files

Recover files from external hard drive using Previous Version

Previous Version or File History is a Windows inbuilt feature to recover files deleted or lost from the drive. Previous Version allows you to find the files that were existing when File History is enabled.

Note: To recover files from Previous Version you need to enable the File History (Restore Point). If file history is not enabled, you will not be able to recover files using Backup and Restore in previous versions of Windows.

Steps to restore a Previous Version using Windows file history:

1. 1. Go to the folder where your files were stored before deletion.
   2. Right-click inside the folder and select Properties.
   3. Open the Previous Versions tab.
   4. Select which recent dated previous version you want to recover.

As mentioned above, the previous version was not enabled. This method will no help you recover files from external drives. In such a situation, all you need is a professional data recovery software to recover deleted files from the external hard drive.

Recover data from External Hard Drive using SFWare

Download and install the SFWare Hard drive recovery tool on your computer and connect your external drive to your PC.

Step 1: From the main screen, select Recover Files. Next, based on the scenario, choose Deleted file recovery or Lost file recovery

Step 2: Click on the drive from which you need to recover deleted or lost files. Now, scanning process begins. After the completion of scanning, all the recoverable files are listed.

Step 3: Preview the selected files for recovery. If you are satisfied with the results Save them on your computer.

What to do when your drive is corrupted or formatted? When the drive becomes unreadable data will no longer be accessed. To access data from an external drive, you need to repair a corrupt drive and recover data from it.

The best way to fix a corrupt external drive is to format the drive. Do not worry! with the help of SFWare Data recovery software, you can recover files formatted from the external drive as well.

How to recover files from corrupt External HDDs?

To recover data from external drives, download and install the application on your Windows or Mac systems. Connect the external hard drive to your computer and launch SFWare External Hard Drive Recovery tool.

Step 1: Click on the Recover Drive/Partition from the main screen -> Drive/ Partition Recovery or formatted Recovery based the scenario of data loss.

Step 2: Check the disk with suitable file system and select the file types you want to recover form corrupted external hard drive. The software scans for the files to recover.

Step 3: Once the scanning completes, recovered files are listed. Select the files and click on next.

Once the files are recovered, save the them in the desired location.

Now, what if your external drive is not detected or recognized by the computer. There will be scenarios while your external drive is detected for not being accessible or blinking but not detected. In such a situation, you need to fix the external drive and recover data.

How to recover data from unrecognized External hard drive? 

External drives won’t be detected by the computer when the hard drive is not compatible with your motherboard. In such situations, the external hard drive is not being detected or recognized by the computer.

You can click on he below link to try some of the fixes to repair the external hard drive not detected problem-

External drive not recognized on Mac

External drive not recognized on Windows

External drive blinking but not detected

Conclusion

This article will surely help you recover data from external hard drives. However, data loss from external drive is inevitable. To avoid any data loss situations further, make sure you always keep a backup of your external hard drive data. If you have not taken any backup, do not worry! you can always rely on SFWare data recovery software to recover data from external hard drive.

Frequently Asked Question

Can an external hard drive be recovered?

Yes, you can recover the external hard drive using the Previous Version. If you have not enabled the Backup restore point, this method won’t help you. In such a situation, you can recover using a professional hard drive recovery tool.

What do I do if my external hard drive is not showing up?

When External hard drive is not showing up on your PC, try to connect your external drive to another PC and verify if the drive is working or not. Check the external hard drive in Disk Management. If the drive is unavailable in Disk Management, it is recommended to recover the external drive and repair it.  

How do I recover files from my external hard drive that won’t read?

Download and install SFWare Data recovery software. Connect your external hard drive and launch the software.

• • Click on Recover Drives from the main screen and follow the instructions.
  • Select the external drive you want to recover.
  • Once the scan is completed, all the recoverable files will be listed.
  • Select the files and save them on different location on the drive