Share this article
Improve this guide
How to recover data from a Hard Drive
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Hard drives are a core component of any PC and laptop, since that’s where everything is stored, both system-relateddataand personaldata, and they are becoming bigger and bigger with each year.
Of course, hard drivers don’t just get bigger, they also become safer and harder to corrupt, hence our tendency to store more and moredataon them without thinking of backups.
Unfortunately,safer and harder to corruptare not the same thing as incorruptible, and hard drives can become damaged and unreadable, either because of hardware or software errors.
The biggest issue is when there’s plenty ofdataon those hard drives,datathat, as we’ve mentioned earlier, you may not have thought about backing up somewhere else either, so recovering thatdatabecomes your priority.
Today we will be looking over several methods through which you can recover yourdatafrom your hard drives, providing you with step-by-step solutions and pictures so you can see exactly what needs to be done.
How can I recover data from a Hard Drive?
1. Boot in Safe Mode
This process differs based on what version ofWindowsyou are using, as follows:
Once the transfer is done, clean your PC with a third-party PC optimizer and cleaner, or an antivirus, or simply give it a complete reset so whatever caused the initial problem will be fixed.
2. Try recovering your data manually
As mentioned in the previous solution, there are ways of recoveringdatafrom a corrupted hard drive without the use of dedicated third-party software, and we’re going to cover that in the steps below:
Here’s how to recoverdatafrom a password-protectedHDD:
3. Use a third-party data recovery tool
The fastest and most efficient way to recoverdatafrom anHDDor SSD, regardless of why it got corrupted in the first place, is to use dedicated third-partydata recovery software.
Besides, regular methods ofdata recovery, such as the ones described after this solution, require a certain degree of experience using a PC, so beginners pretty much lack an alternative.
Nonetheless,StellarData RecoveryFree Editionis a completely freedata recoverytool that will return all of thedatato you, even if theHDDwent through a complete PC reset.
4. Use the help of your local PC repair centers
This is probably the most costly of all of the solutions mentioned above, but since we’re talking about handing over yourHDDto a third-party PC repair establishment, at least you know that your hardware will be handled by experts.
So, simply take your desktop or your laptop to the local repair service, tell them what you want to recover, and wait for them to contact you again.
By following these steps, you should be able to efficiently recover thedatafrom your hard drive. However, keep in mind that if the hard drive is severely damaged physically, chances are there are very few things that can be done, even if you take it to a PC repair shop.
Know of another way you can recoverdatafrom a hard drive? Let us know about it by leaving your suggestions in the comments section below.
More about the topics:backup,data recovery,hard drive
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Teodor Nechita
