Forum Discussion
Possible to recover deleted files from external hard drive on Windows 11 PC?
I recently deleted a few important files from my external hard drive while connecting to my Windows 11 PC. These files are crucial for my work, and I need to recover them as soon as possible. I've heard there are various methods to recover deleted files, but I'm not sure which one would be the best and most reliable for my situation.
I've tried checking the Recycle Bin, but the files are not there. I'm considering using software like the built in Windows File Recovery but I would love to hear from those who have successfully recovered deleted files from external hard drive on Windows 11. Any step-by-step instructions or tips would be greatly appreciated.
I have accidentally deleted files on an external hard drive before, which was really frustrating. Later, I used Aiesesoft Data Recovery to recover the files. The effect was good and it was also quite simple. Just scan and recover, and the files are back. I hope you can also recover them successfully!
I followed this guide: (worked for me)
https://www.engadgot.com/recover-deleted-file-from-hard-drive
I have accidentally deleted files on an external hard drive before, which was really frustrating. Later, I used Aiesesoft Data Recovery to recover the files. The effect was good and it was also quite simple. Just scan and recover, and the files are back. I hope you can also recover them successfully!
I followed this guide: (worked for me)
https://www.engadgot.com/recover-deleted-file-from-hard-drive
JBarrol Windows 11 has a built-in command line to help you recover deleted files from external hard drives. It is free but the process is a bit complictated.
Step 1: Run chkdsk to check and repair the external HDDr.
chkdsk E: /f
Step 2: Use attrib to unhide files from external hard drive.
attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.*
Step 3: Recover deleted files with the recover command.
recover E:\filename
Replace E: with the drive letter of your external hard drive and filename with the name of the file you want to recover. Note that recover works on a per-file basis and may not recover all files successfully.
- First things first, stop using your external hard drive immediately. When you delete files, Windows just marks that space as available for new data, but until it gets overwritten, there's a chance to recover deleted files from external hard drive. So, don't save anything else on that drive!
JBarrol Windows File Recovery is a command-line app provided by Microsoft, designed to help users recover lost files that have been accidentally deleted from local storage devices including internal and external hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It is particularly useful for situations where files have been removed from the Recycle Bin or deleted using the Shift+Delete command.
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n26s50ln705?hl=en-US&gl=US
The app supports various file systems such as NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and ReFS. By leveraging sophisticated recovery algorithms, Windows File Recovery can retrieve a wide range of file types, including photos, documents, videos, and more. It is a very helpful app for recovering deleted files from external HDD on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
The app offers different modes tailored to specific recovery needs. The Default mode is optimized for recent file deletions, while the Segment and Signature modes are more advanced.
- To increase the success rate of data recovery after deleteing files from external hard drive, it is crucial to stop using the drive immediately to avoid overwriting the deleted files. Avoid saving new data, running defragmentation, or performing any operations that could modify the disk.
Additionally, use data recovery software as soon as possible, as the chances of successful recovery decrease over time and with increased disk activity. Ensuring the drive remains in its current state maximizes the likelihood of retrieving the deleted files intact. - Stop using your external hard drive immediately. When you delete files, Windows just marks that space as available for new data, but until it gets overwritten, there's a chance to recover them. So, don't save anything else on that drive!
JBarrol Stop using your external hard drive immediately. When you delete files, Windows just marks that space as available for new data, but until it gets overwritten, there's a chance to recover deleted files from external hard drive on Windows 11 PC. So, don't save anything else on that drive!
- Using the built-in command line to recover deleted files on Windows 11 is not the most user-friendly method. You've got to remember a bunch of commands, which can be daunting if you're not super tech-savvy. If you mess up a command, you might end up causing more issues than fixing anything.
- Once you've realized you've deleted important files, stop using the external hard drive right away. The more you use it, the higher the chance that the deleted files will get overwritten, and that's a nightmare. Recovering deleted files from external hard drive can take some time, especially if you have a lot of data on the drive. Don’t rush it
Let's be real. Windows File Recovery can be a handy tool, it's definitely not without its quirks and drawbacks. If you're not savvy with command-line interfaces, this can be a major hurdle. The whole typing commands thing can feel a bit intimidating, especially if you're used to the more visual, user-friendly apps. If you make a typo or use the wrong command, you might end up with nothing, which could leave you feeling extra frustrated.
Even though the app claims to be able to recovered deleted files from external hard drive on Windows 11, it doesn’t work every time. There are situations where files might be too damaged or overwritten, and no amount of command-lining will save them. I’ve had times when I thought I was doing everything right, only to end up with a hollow victory.
