Windows 10 Data Recovery Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Losing important data on your Windows 10 computer can be a
stressful experience. Whether it's due to accidental deletion, system crashes,
or malware attacks, the good news is that data recovery is often possible. This
guide provides a step-by-step approach for beginners to recover lost data on
Windows 10, making the process straightforward and manageable.
Understanding Data Loss
Before diving into the recovery process, it's essential to understand common causes of data loss, which can help prevent future incidents:
- Accidental Deletion: Files mistakenly deleted and removed from the Recycle Bin.
- System Crashes: Operating system failures causing data corruption.
- Malware and Viruses: Malicious software corrupting or deleting files.
- Hardware Failures: Issues with hard drives or other storage devices.
- Software Conflicts: Applications interfering with each other, leading to data loss.
Immediate Actions After Data Loss
When you realize you've lost data, quick action can increase
the chances of recovery:
Stop Using the Affected Device: Avoid writing new data to
the drive to prevent overwriting the lost files.
Check the Recycle Bin: Often, deleted files can be restored
directly from the Recycle Bin.
Disconnect External Drives: If the lost data was on an external
drive, safely disconnect it to avoid further damage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Data Recovery
Step 1: Use Windows File History
Windows 10 has a built-in feature called File History that
can help recover previous versions of files.
Open File Explorer.
- Select the folder containing the lost file(s) with a right-click.
- Select "Restore previous versions."
- After choosing the version you want to restore, click "Restore."
Step 2: Check System Restore Points
- System Restore can sometimes recover lost files if they were part of the system state.
- Click "System Restore."
- To return your system to a previous state, simply follow the instructions.
Step 3: Use Windows Backup and Restore
- If you’ve used Windows Backup, you can restore files from a backup.
- In Windows 10, navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.
- Click "Restore my files" and follow the wizard's instructions to recover your files.
Info Computer Data Storage
Computer data recovery is the process of retrieving lost, deleted, or unreadable data from computer storage media. Hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and external drives are examples of this. USB flash drives, memory cards, and other storage media. The goal of data recovery is to retrieve valuable information that has been accidentally deleted, lost due to hardware failure, or became inaccessible due to various issues.
Data Loss Common Causes :
- Accidental Deletion: when directories or files are unintentionally erased.
- Hardware Failure: Malfunctions in hard drives, SSDs, or other storage devices.
- Formatted Drives: Accidental or intentional formatting of a storage device.
- File System Corruption: Data inaccessible due to file system structural damage
- Partition Loss: Missing or deleted partitions on the storage device.
- Virus or Malware Attacks: Malicious software that can delete or corrupt files.
Tips Data Storage:
File System Issues. Fixed Tips:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator. In your computer
To verify and fix disk issues, use the command CHKDSK/f Is Your or Recover drive letter (e.g., CHKDSK /f C:).
Corrupted Drive/System Files Repaired {SFC}:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Use the command SFC
Although this mostly deals with problems with system files,
it may also indirectly increase system stability. Partitions Info:
Open Command Prompt.
Type disk part and press Enter.
Use commands like list disk>select disk X (X disk is error disk), and list partition to get information about your disks and partitions.
Recopy Tips:
robocopy is a powerful file copying tool available in
Command Prompt.
Open Command Prompt.
Type robocopy and press Enter.
Use commands like robo copy source destination /MIR to mirror the source directory to the destination directory. This is helpful when transferring files from a possibly damaged source to a
new location.
Data Recovery
Commands:
CMD doesn’t have specific command for data recover but
third-party utilities available
- test disk
- Photo Rec
While CMD itself doesn't have specific commands for data
recovery, you can use third-party utilities that are executed through the
command line. For more complex recovery efforts, you might utilize a program
like Test Disk or Photo Rec.
1. Recover desktop file in windows /mac
Windows:
Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
Look for the deleted file.
Right-click on the file and select "Restore" to
move it back to its original location.
Mac:
Open the Trash from the Dock.
Locate the deleted file.
To return the file to its original location, perform a
right-click on it and choose "Put Back".
2. Check Cloud Backup (If Applicable)
If you use cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, check the online storage for the deleted file. Data Recovery from Hard Disk Files that are removed from these services may be retrievable from the trash or recycle bin on cloud storage.
3. File Previous Versions (Windows)
If you have File History enabled on Windows, you might be
able to recover an earlier version of the file:
To access the file, right-click on the folder containing it.
- Select "Restore previous versions."
- Search for a version of the folder containing the desired file.
- Select the version and click "Restore."
