Accidental damage to hardware or deletion of data can lead to many challenges like productivity disruption, loss of confidential information, damage to reputation, and others. However, the good news is that you can recover the information from a damaged disk. There are different methods you can use to get back deleted files for each system. Read on to learn everything you want to know about how to effectively recover your lost data.
Ways to Recover Lost Data
Switch the Computer off
The time you realize that you have experienced a data loss scenario, stop using the affected device. You can restore the data before it is overwritten. You also need to stop using the equipment until a professional technician declares it safe. After serious damage, you must not attempt a DIY job since this can cause more harm to your device. Turn off your internet connection to prevent automatic updates that can hamper you from recovering the information. When you switch off the internet connection, you also prevent hackers from accessing your data.
Hire a Professional Company
Attempting to recover lost files from your computer can cause more harm than good if you do not have the expertise. It is a good idea to enlist the services of a quality data recovery company, preventing the risk of permanently losing the information. Some things are better left to professionals with the skills, experience, and knowledge to properly handle the task. Finding an efficient, affordable, and reliable data recovery provider can be challenging, but you should get one. You can utilize customer reviews to get insight into the appropriate data specialists to help you get your critical information.
The data recovery process can take months to perform, so you need to be patient rather than risk losing your information. When you hire professionals, they will first diagnose the cause to recommend the appropriate course of action. When you engage the services of experienced professionals, the chances of retrieving your information will be high. The consequences of failing to recover confidential information can be dire for your business. Most small businesses are at risk since they lack backup resources, unlike large corporations.
Create Backup
You may never know what can happen with your computer or smartphone. Therefore, backing up is essential if you want to keep your data in a safe place. The simplest way of backing your data is to make copies of the files you want and store them on external media. Storing files in the cloud is the safest method you can use to protect your data. You should constantly update your information, so you can easily recover it when it is damaged. If you don’t update your content regularly, you may not be able to recover everything in the event of accidental computer crashes.
Recycle Bin Option
Recovering data from the recycle bin is the easiest option you can use. If you accidentally delete a file, the first step is to check the recycle bin. Windows will simply move the file to the recycle bin where you can easily recover and restore it to its original location. If the recycle bin does not appear on the desktop, search for it and create a shortcut. However, the recycle bin cannot be a safety net to over-rely on since it has limitations. After a certain period, all files in the recycle bin are permanently deleted. If you use the shift + delete option, unfortunately, you cannot use this recycle bin function to recover your data. If your files were on external media, there is no recycle bin function.
Use Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software can also help you get back lost files. You can get free software online or choose to go for a paid version. Download and install the software to a different hard drive from the one containing the files that have been deleted. Select the media or disk with the files you want to recover and let the tool scan for all the missing files. Once you recover them, choose a location to save the information, and it should be different from the original location.
Data recovery software is not limited to computers. There are options available for smartphones too. If you accidentally delete the files, you can use the software to recover and restore them. However, you must check the effectiveness of the program first. Not all programs are as good, so it is not always obvious that you will get back your lost files. You may also need to consult a technician before you choose this option.
Remove the Hard Drive
Try to remove the hard drive and put it on another functioning computer. This option is easy if you have an external hard drive. When you put the hardware into another machine, it can read the files if they are not damaged. When you manage to read some of the files, copy them. However, you need to establish the cause of hardware failure. When you successfully recover your files, you may need to get new hardware to prevent the occurrence of the same thing.
Use Restore Point
Another option you can use to recover data is to restore your computer to an earlier date. If the files are not overwritten, they will still be there on your computer. This method is ideal to recover information following the corruption of your machine by virus or malware. Therefore, you can recover them when you restore your computer to a date when it was not affected by the virus.
Losing data can be devastating, but the good news is that it is possible to recover your files. If you accidentally lose your information, there are different options you can consider to get it back. As mentioned above, backing up your files is one of the safest methods to protect your file. There are also other tools you can use to get back lost files. If the hardware is physically damaged, you can enlist the services of a professional data recovery specialist.