How to recover data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11

Copper Contributor

Recently, my external hard drive, which contains a lot of important data, seems to have become corrupted. This has left me in a state of panic, as I desperately need to retrieve the files stored on it. I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community in the hopes that some of you might have experience or insights into how to recover data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11. I've done some research online, but the abundance of information and varying solutions has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure of where to start.

 

If any of you have successfully tackled a similar situation before, I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips, or step-by-step guides you could provide. I understand that the process might involve using specialized software or even seeking professional assistance, but I'm open to exploring all options at this point. 

 

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[Update]: I used Aisesoft Data Recovery (https://www.pcworldz.com/recover-lost-data), it's super easy to use, I quickly recovered important files, I recommend it to people who have the same problem! 

8 Replies

@Benwallizen 

Recovering data from a corrupted hard drive can be a tricky process, but there are options available that you can try. Here are some steps to help you recover data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11:

 

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

 

The first step is to determine if the hard drive is physically damaged or if it is just a software issue. You can try connecting the hard drive to another computer or a different USB port to see if it can be recognized there. If it can't be detected, it may be a sign of physical damage and you may need to consult a professional data recovery service.

 

Step 2: Use CHKDSK

 

CHKDSK is a built-in Windows tool that can help repair corrupted hard drives. Open Command Prompt and type "chkdsk /f X:" (replace X with the drive letter of the corrupted hard drive) and press Enter. CHKDSK will scan and attempt to fix any errors it finds on the drive.

 

Step 3: Use a Data Recovery Software

 

If CHKDSK doesn't work, you can try using a data recovery software. Follow the instructions provided by the third-party software to scan the hard drive and recover data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11. The process can take some time, so be patient and don't interrupt the scan.

 

Step 4: Restore from Backup

 

If you have a backup of your data, you can restore your files from there. This should be your first option, but if you don't have a backup, you may need to rely on data recovery software.

 

About how to recover data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11, remember to avoid using the corrupted hard drive as much as possible during the recovery process to avoid further damage. Good luck!

Thanks! Do you have any data recovery software you recommend?
When it comes to recovering data from a corrupted hard drive, you need to use the right tool for the job. Avoid using third-party software that may not be compatible with your Windows 11 system or may even cause further damage.

As i know. Microsoft's own built-in tool, chkdsk (Check Disk), can help you identify and fix errors on your hard drive. Run the command chkdsk C: (replace C with the drive letter of your corrupted hard drive) in the Command Prompt with elevated privileges.

@Benwallizen Recovering data from a corrupted hard drive on Windows 11 can be a challenging process, but with the right tools and steps, you can often retrieve your important files. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:

 

Check the Drive: First, determine whether the hard drive is physically damaged or if the corruption is logical (file system errors, etc.). Connect the drive to your computer and see if it's recognized by Windows 11. If the drive is making unusual noises, like clicking or grinding, it could be a sign of physical damage, and you should avoid further use to prevent additional damage.

 

Scan Disk with chkdsk:  This command will check the drive for errors and attempt to fix them. It can also try to recover data from bad sectors.

 

P.S. If the data is extremely important and you cannot recover it using software, consider seeking help from a professional data recovery service. They have the tools and expertise to recover data from physically damaged drives or severely corrupted file systems, though this can be costly.

@Benwallizen 

One time my external hard drive suddenly stopped working and showed a file system error. At that time, I used the chkdsk command, which worked quite well. This command can check the disk and fix some file system errors, and sometimes recover some files that were inaccessible due to errors.

 

How to use the chkdsk command to repair a hard drive:

  1. Open the Command Prompt: Type "Command Prompt" in the Windows search box, right-click it, and select "Run as Administrator".
  2. Type the chkdsk command: Type chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with the letter of your hard drive) in the command line. Here /f means repair disk errors, and /r means recover information about bad sectors.
  3. Run and wait: After pressing Enter, chkdsk will start running, checking the disk and trying to fix errors. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the hard drive and the number of errors.
  4. Check the results: After the command is completed, it will report whether any errors were fixed. If any files were recovered, you should be able to access them again.

While it may not always be possible to magically recover data from a corrupted hard drive trying chkdsk is a harmless and potentially helpful option when faced with file system errors. Hopefully, this will help you resolve the issue!

@Benwallizen 

When your hard drive is severely damaged and all the methods you try on your own cannot recover the data, turning to professional data recovery services is a very reliable option. These services are usually provided by professional data recovery companies, who have advanced technology and equipment to handle various complex data damage situations.

 

Or you can try using some professional data recovery software, which are designed to recover deleted or damaged files and are relatively simple to operate. You just need to download the software, choose to scan the damaged hard drive, and the software will automatically help you recover the lost data. Remember to save the recovered data on another drive to avoid overwriting the original data.

To recover data from a corrupted external hard drive on Windows 11 First, check all connections and try Windows' built-in Error Checking and CHKDSK tools. If these fail, use data recovery software. Select your drive in the software, run a scan, choose files to recover, and save them to a different drive. Don't use the corrupted drive further to avoid overwriting recoverable data. If software methods don't work and the data is vital, consider professional data recovery services. My suggestion would be to act quickly but carefully for the best chance of successful recovery.
For corrupted hard drive recovery, users first try free solutions like - CMD prompt, file history or error-checking tools. These options first check users hard drive issues. Recover corrupted hard drive data by using the hard drive recovery software like BLR Tools. Here go with this: https://blr-data-recovery-tool-new-software.en.softonic.com/. Start by using the free version of the software and then use the preview feature to check if you can recover the lost data.