Khaberni - The moment you realize that important files have been deleted is among the most stressful situations in the digital era. However, data does not disappear forever just by pressing the delete button. Instead, it remains recoverable unless new information is written over it, which opens the door of hope for recovering what was lost through deliberate and simplified technical steps. In this topic, we will mention a set of tips, akin to a guide, for recovering files across different operating systems for personal computers, mobile phones, portable storage units, and various cloud storage services.
Why does your data remain after deletion?
Initially, it should be understood that the process of file recovery relies on the fact that the operating system does not delete the file from the hard disk, but rather removes the file’s address from a dedicated index, leading the system to believe that that part of the hard disk is empty. The index can be rebuilt after scanning the hard disk again, but this process may not succeed if the system has written any new file (or part of a new file) over the same location as the old file. This applies to hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), portable memory cards (SD Card), and external storage units (USB).
It is crucial not to save any new file on the hard disk from which the file was deleted, even if it is a hard disk for the operating system, nor to install any new programs or updates. Immediately after deleting a file, the hard disk should be removed and connected to another computer as an external storage unit, then scan it using specialized file recovery software. When you wish to start the recovery process, it is highly recommended that the recovered file be saved on a different hard disk or a distinct portable storage unit from that which the file was deleted from, to prevent writing information over other areas of the hard disk or portable storage unit and losing the ability to recover more deleted files.
Free solutions: Recover data via system tools
We mention a collection of tools present in various operating systems and cloud storage services that aid in recovering deleted files:
• «Windows»: Basic steps in the «Windows» environment begin by checking the «Recycle Bin» first. If your deleted files aren’t there, you must immediately move to the «File History» feature. This step requires accessing the «Control Panel» (the classic version, not the modern one) and selecting «System and Security» (this option can be searched in the modern control panel to be opened in the classic panel), and then clicking on «Restore your files with File History». This option allows you to browse folders by date and select the version that precedes the deletion, then pressing the green button to restore it to its original place. You can also right-click on the folder from which the files were deleted, then select «Properties», and then «Previous Versions», select the earlier date when the file existed there, and finally click on the «Restore» button.
• «Mac OS»: For Mac OS users, the first step depends on the «Time Machine» feature. To recover data, connect the backup disk to the device, then open the folder that contained the missing file and run «Time Machine» from the menu bar. Here, the user can use the timeline on the side of the screen to navigate through time, and once the desired file is identified, press on the «Restore» option to bring back the deleted file.
• «Android»: In Android phones, the recovery process for photos and captured videos usually relies on the «Google Photos» app or the «Files by Google» app. The process begins by launching the app and then moving to «Library», then to «Trash». If the data is stored on a portable memory card, it is preferable to remove it from the phone, attach it to a computer, and use specialized software to recover deleted files, as the «Android» system imposes strict restrictions on accessing internal system files.
• «iOS»: If the deleted file is a photo in the «iOS» system, the first step involves checking the «Deleted Recently» album in the Photos app. If the file is missing there, the user should head to the «iCloud» website through a web browser, go to «Account Settings» and then click on «Restore Files» at the bottom of the page. This step searches the records of deleted files in the cloud service, allowing the recovery of contacts or files that were deleted manually.
• Cloud storage services: For cloud storage services like «Google Drive» and «OneDrive» among others, recovery is done through straightforward steps via the browser. Head to the «Trash» folder in the sidebar, where these services keep the files for up to 30 days. In «OneDrive» particularly, subscribers can recover all files to an earlier point in time within the last 30 days, which protects against ransomware attacks that encrypt files. You can also recover various app conversations, such as «WhatsApp» and «Telegram», by going to each app’s settings menu and selecting «Restore» from within the app itself.
Use professional software and maintenance experts
In case the tools integrated into the operating system itself fail, the need arises to use professional software for data recovery. The steps begin by downloading reliable software onto a storage unit different from that from which the data was lost to avoid overwriting it. After launching the software, the user selects the type of files they wish to recover (such as photos, documents, or videos, for example), identifies the target storage unit, and then starts a «Deep Scan» that searches for remains of the deleted data. Some tools allow previewing the deleted files before recovering them to ensure they are the desired files.
If the operating system does not recognize the personal computer’s hard drive or portable storage unit at all, it is advisable to check the quality of the cable that connects the unit to the computer, and that it is fully tightened from both ends. It may also be worth trying a new cable to ensure there are no internal damages in the old one. After that, run «Windows», press the «Windows» button, then press X on the keyboard simultaneously, and select «Disk Management». You can view the status of the existing hard drives in the computer through the new window. If information about the hard drive appears on the screen (even if its state is «Raw»), this means that the system can see it but is unable to interact with it. If the disk doesn't appear at all, this indicates a more significant problem, and it may require taking the hard drive to a company specialized in hard drive repair.
If the hard drive appears in the «Disk Management» program, it may be possible to fix the problem using specialized programs, but under the supervision of technical experts to avoid losing your data forever. It is also advisable to consult specialized companies if your computer has been damaged by liquids, fire, or significant impacts, as the damage is physical and not software-based, requiring different procedures to cleanse the hard drive from the damage before starting the data wiping and recovery process.
When the problem is mechanical (such as hearing a strange recurring noise from the disk), you should stop working on it immediately and take it to a company specialized in data recovery, as the magnetic head of the hard drive that reads the data may have been damaged, and it must be replaced with another of the same model. It is strongly discouraged to open the hard drive at home or office and perform this operation, as dust particles in the air may cause damage to the entire hard drive.
Digital prevention: Protecting files from deletion disaster
Here, we offer a set of tips to protect yourself from losing your important files proactively, making the data recovery process a simple procedure rather than an irreversible disaster. It is advised to set your system settings to automatically backup your important files and folders every 24 hours to an external disk or a cloud storage service.
• «3 2 1» Rule: You should save 3 copies of your important files in two different types of storage units (internal hard disk and another external disk, or a portable storage unit and a cloud storage service, for example), and an additional copy in a different geographical location to avoid risks such as floods, fires, or theft.
• Save cloud copies: It is important to keep a full copy of your important files via cloud storage services as previously mentioned, as these services duplicate files across various geographical locations to protect them from damage.
• Labeling external storage units: It is advisable to put labels on external storage units (hard disk or «USB») and write information related to their content (like personal photos and videos, work presentations, or audio recordings for a project, for example), so the user does not accidentally delete all information (Format) from that unit, especially if they are similar in shape or external design to other units.
• Prepare in advance: It is advised to install file recovery software in advance, so you can handle the matter without negatively affecting the likelihood of recovering deleted files if they are on the main hard disk of the operating system.
. It is also advised to set up a portable storage unit (USB) containing the operating system (Bootable USB), so that the computer is run through it instead of the built-in hard disk, thus avoiding writing any information in the place of the deleted file on the hard disk. It is also advised to install file recovery software on that unit as well.
Specialized tools for recovering deleted data
We present a collection of the most prominent software that can help you recover deleted files across different operating systems, which turns the data recovery process into simple steps that give you the opportunity to preserve your important files. These tools vary in their technical capabilities, but they all share being the last lifeline for recovering what was lost, and you do not need to be a technical expert to use them.
• «Windows»:
-EaseUS Data Recover Wizard
-Stellar Data Recovery
-Recuva
-Disk Drill Recovery
-TestDisk
• «Mac OS»:
-EaseUS Data Recover Wizard
-PhotoRec
-TestDisk
-Data Rescue 6
-DMDE
• «Android» (software operating on a personal computer after being connected to the phone):
-Dr. Fone – Data Recovery
-Disk Drill Recovery
-FonePaw Android data Recovery
-iToolab RecoverGo
-Jihosoft Android Phone Recovery
• «iOS» (software operating on a personal computer after being connected to the phone):
-PhoneRescue
-Tenorshare UltData iPhone Data Recovery
-iMyFone D-Back
-AnyFix
-EaseUs MobiSaver
