Hard Drive Recovery

Recover Data From Any Type of Hard Drive With Ease

Did you accidentally delete essential data from your hard drive? Wondershare Recoverit is a reliable hard drive recovery software that allows you to recover data from Windows/Mac/Linux internal drives, NAS hard drives, and external hard drives in just a few clicks. Key features that make Recoverit the best option for hard drive data recovery include:

  • √ Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • √ Advanced scanning algorithm with patented technology
  • √ Extensive support for various storage devices and file types
  • √ No purchase necessary if your files are not found
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For macOS X 10.10 or later
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Unlock Your Lost Data:
Seamlessly Recover From Any Hard Drive

Wondershare Recoverit excels at data recovery on all types and brands of hard drives. Whether it's a standard hard drive disk (HDD) or an advanced solid-state drive (SSD), this professional hard drive recovery software restores your lost files with just a few clicks. Explore the various hard drives compatible with Recoverit for seamless recovery.

Types of Hard Drives
recover data from internal hard drive
Internal Hard Drives
PATA (IDE, EIDE), SATA, PCle, M.2, U.2,
mSATA, SATA Express, SCSI, SAS, NVMe,
Fiber Channel
recover data from external hard drive
External Hard Drives
USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C, eSATA,
FireWire, Thunderbolt
recover data from nas hard drive
NAS Hard Drives
USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C, eSATA,
FireWire, Thunderbolt
Hard Drive Brands
Western Digital
Seagate
Toshiba
Samsung
Dell
Fujitsu
HP
Synology
QNAP
Lacie
etc.
recover data from encrypted hard drive
Recoverit takes data recovery to the next level by supporting encrypted hard drives, including those secured with Windows BitLocker or Apple T2, M1, and M2 encryption. This advanced feature ensures that you can recover your lost or deleted files even from the most secure storage devices. With Recoverit, you can confidently recove data from encrypted HDDs/SSDs without compromising the security of your valuable information.

Rescue Your Data, Defy Data Loss:
Recover From Hard Drives in Any Situation

Data loss can occur for a variety of reasons. Recoverit is designed to help you retrieve lost and deleted files from more than 500 data loss scenarios. Whether you're facing accidental deletion, system crashes, or corrupted drives, Recoverit is at your service to help you regain access to your valuable data.

hard drive deleted file recovery
Accidental Deletions
We create, update, save, and delete files in our daily work life. It’s no wonder that sometimes, you delete or overwrite files by accident. Recoverit will restore data from a hard drive even if it was deleted using Shift+Delete or you emptied the Recycle Bin.
formatted hard drive recovery
Hard Drive Formatting
Accidentally formatting the wrong hard drive or partition is quite common, and sometimes formatting is necessary to repair a corrupted drive. This hard drive recovery tool can efficiently recover data from a formatted hard drive or partition.
failed hard drive data recovery
Hard Drive Failure
A failing hard drive can lead to file disappearing, data corruption, or bad sectors on disk. Recoverit proficiently recovers data in most logical and mechanical hard disk failures, but for severe mechanical cases, you will need a professional data recovery service.
virus infected hard disk recovery
Computer Virus and
Malware Infections
A B2B international survey revealed that 35% of IT specialists experienced data loss due to malware infections. Computer viruses are a genuine threat. Luckily, Recoverit can quickly get your lost files back no matter the type of malware deleted.
damaged hard drive recovery
Liquid Damage
Electronics and liquids are a dangerous combination. Spilling coffee or water on your PC risks short-circuiting the device, rendering data inaccessible. This hard drive recovery software can scan the affected disk and safely retrieve your valuable data.
crashed computer recovery
OS Crash
Having problems with the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), Black Screen of Death, or MacBook stuck on the Apple logo? Worry not. With Recoverit, you can create a bootable USB and copy files from the crashed computer to a secure location, saving you from significant data loss.
data recovery from raw drive
RAW File System
Internal or external hard drives may display as a RAW file system due to format failure, power outages, etc., rendering the device unusable and files inaccessible. This hard drive recovery software is able to scan and recover data from RAW hard drives.
hdd partition recovery
Partition Loss
Accidentally deleting a partition from the hard disk, hardware issues, and many other things can cause a hard drive partition to become unreadable. Wondershare Recoverit can efficiently restore lost partitions and recover the valuable data stored within.

Restore Your Precious Files:
Effortlessly Retrieve Any File Types From Your Hard Drive

Supporting over 1000 distinct file signatures during a deep scan, Wondershare Recoverit guarantees comprehensive recovery of your documents, photos, videos, and other vital data on your HDD or SSD, ensuring no essential files are left behind.

recover images from hard drive
Images
JPEG, JPG, PNG, PSD, RAW, RGB,3FR, ABM, AFX, ANI, ARW, BIZ, BLD, BLEND, BMP, CAD, etc.
recover videos from hard drive
Videos
MP4, MOV, AVI, FLV, M4V, WMV, MXF, AVI, MKV, MPEG, MPEG4, MPG, MTS, AVCHD, BRAW, R3D, etc.
recover audio files from hard drive
Audios
MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV, WMA, AA3, AAC, AC3, ACC, AFC, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AM, AMR, APE, etc.
recover office files from hard drive
Office Files
DOC, DOCX, RTF, DOT, DOTX, DOTM, ODT, WordML, XLS, XLSX, XLTX, PPT, PPTX, PPSX, PDF, PDF/A, etc.
recover archive files from hard drive
Outlook & Archives
EDB, EML, EMLX, MAIL, MBX, MSG, OEB, PAB, PST, WAB, 7Z, BZ, BZIP, CAB, JAR, WAR, ZIP, ZIPX, etc.
file recovery from hard drive
Other Files
BQY, BTR, CAP, HTM, HTML, ASPX, ACM, ACP, ADT, AFM, API, ARX, MHT, MHTML, PHP, etc.
Can't see your files listed? Don't worry, Recoverit can retrieve virtually any file type stored on your hard drive. Check full techspecs>>.

How To Recover Deleted or Lost Files From Hard Drives

To recover lost or deleted files from a hard disk, follow the steps below. First, ensure you have downloaded and installed the hard drive recovery software on your Windows PC or Mac. Recoverit allows you to scan and preview files at no cost.

  • Recovering data from internal and external hard drives on Windows and Mac is the most straightforward task when using Recoverit.
    • Step 1
      Choose the Hard Drive
      Launch the program and select the drive or partition where your files were lost. To recover data from an external hard drive, connect it to the computer prior to this step.
    • Step 2
      Scan for Lost Data
      Recoverit initiates scanning for lost files, performing both quick and deep scans simultaneously. As files appear on-screen, users can stop scanning once the desired files are found and use filtering methods for faster location.
    • Step 3
      Preview and Recover
      You can preview the scanned files to ensure they are recoverable. If a file is damaged, Recoverit can repair broken documents and images during the preview process. Finally, select the files you want to recover and click Recover to restore them from the chosen HDD/SDD.
  • Data recovery from Linux and NAS devices operates through remote connection, eliminating the need to disassemble your device and remove the hard drives.
    • Step 1
      Choose Linux/NAS Recovery
      Choose the NAS and Linux option in the main interface of Recoverit. Then click on the Linux Recovery or NAS Recovery button according to your needs. Here we choose NAS Recovery as an example.
    • Step 2
      Connect to Your Device Remotely
      The program will automatically search and display all available NAS devices. Select the one from which you wish to recover data and enter the IP, Port, User Account, and Password to create a remote connection between the hard drive recovery software and the chosen NAS device.
    • Step 3
      Scan for Lost Data
      After successfully connecting, Recoverit will begin scanning the NAS hard drive for deleted or lost files. Similar to Windows and Mac drive recovery, you can stop the scan at any time, search and filter for specific files, and preview the files before recovery.
    • Step 4
      Recover and Save Files
      Select the files you want to recover, and then click Recover. Recoverit will prompt you to choose a save path. It is recommended not to save the files to their original location.
  • To rescue data from a computer experiencing the blue screen of death (BSOD) or a MacBook stuck on the Apple logo, you need another functional PC and a blank USB drive to create a bootable USB for the affected computer.
    • Step 1
      Create a Bootable USB
      Download and install Recoverit on a working computer. Then, launch it and in the Crashed Computer Recovery interface, click Start. Follow the step-by-step instructions to create a bootable USB drive.
    • Step 2
      Boot the Crashed Computer With the Created USB
      Connect the bootable USB drive created in Step 1 to the crashed computer. Restart it, press the BIOS entry key when the first screen appears to configure the BIOS to boot from the USB drive. See the detailed guide on how to set the computer to boot from a USB.
    • Step 3
      Copy Files to a Safe Storage
      Upon completing the above steps, the crashed computer should be bootable. You can then connect a functional hard drive to the computer and transfer crucial files from the crashed system to the new hard drive.
Avoid downloading and installing Wondershare Recoverit on the disk that experienced data loss to prevent overwriting the files you want to store. If your main hard drive has lost data, use a USB drive for downloading and installing the software.

Chances of Successful Hard Drive Data Recovery

Two primary factors influence the success rate of hard drive data recovery: file overwriting and the extent of sector damage. When a file is deleted from a disk, it disappears from the hard drive, and the sectors holding its data become free space. However, the file remains recoverable until you overwrite the sectors containing the file's contents with new data. If a disk suffers physical damage, reconstruction is possible, provided the damage isn't excessive.

hard drive data recovery high success
High
File Deletion
When a file or folder is deleted from a hard disk, it only removes the information pointing to its location on the disk. The actual file remains intact until overwritten with new data. Therefore, even if you have emptied the Recycle Bin, still highly possible to recover your deleted files and folders.
hard drive data recovery high success
High
Formatting or Partitioning Errors
The most frequently used formatting technique, known as Quick format in Windows, simply reconstructs the file system structure without overwriting the existing data. So, data recovery is possible from a hard drive that has undergone this type of formatting. Conversely, more secure formatting methods, such as the Full format in Windows, make data recovery difficult.
hard drive data recovery high success
High
File System Corruption
Issues such as operating system errors, improper shutdowns, or malware can cause the file system to become unreadable. In many cases, it’s possible to recover data from corrupted hard drive using data recovery software since the actual files are still intact on the disk.
hard drive data recovery moderate to high success
Moderate to High
Firmware or System Area Corruption
A hard disk is composed of sectors that are organized into blocks. These blocks are utilized by the hard disk's firmware for wear-leveling purposes. When an excessive number of blocks fail or become corrupted, the hard disk might become inoperable. Despite this, the data stored on it should still be repairable and recoverable using the techniques outlined on this page.
hard drive data recovery moderate success
Moderate
Mechanical Failure
(Head Crash, Motor)
The mechanical failures typically affect the hard drive's ability to access and read the data, rather than causing direct harm to the data itself. In such cases, the data remains intact on the disk platters, allowing for potential recovery. The possibility of data recovery depends on the severity of the damage and the affected components.
hard drive data recovery moderate success
Moderate
Electronic component failure
Data loss caused by damage to electronic components of a disk, such as PCB or power supply, can be recoverable if the damage isn't too severe and doesn't directly affect the data on the disk. Electronic component failures typically impact the drive's functionality rather than the stored data, which usually remains intact despite malfunctioning components, allowing for potential recovery.
hard drive data recovery low success
Low
Severe physical damage
A hard drive with extreme physical damage, such as exposure to fire or crushing force, rendering it unrecognizable by any device, might not be recoverable using only hard drive recovery software. Although the best hard drive recovery services can sometimes extract data from physically damaged hard disks, successful recovery is not guaranteed in such cases.

Tips to Maximize Your Success in Hard Drive Data Recovery

We mentioned the two major factors that can impact the success rate of disk data recovery. Based on these factors, the following tips can help improve the success rate of recovery:

  • Tip 1: Stop Using the Hard Drive Immediately

    As soon as you notice data loss or drive issues, stop using the hard drive to prevent further damage or data overwriting.
  • Tip 2: Take Notice of Unusual Noises

    If you notice unusual noises emanating from your drive, it is a strong indicator that you might be facing an imminent hard drive crash. In such cases, it is crucial to transfer your data to a secure location promptly.
  • Tip 3: Install the Recovery Software in a Safe Location

    If the lost files are located on the main hard drive, it's recommended to download, install, and execute hard disk recovery software from a USB drive. This approach helps prevent any inadvertent overwriting of the deleted data.
  • Tip 4: Use Reliable Data Recovery Software

    If the hard disk is still functional and the data loss is due to logical issues, use a reputable and reliable data recovery software like Wondershare Recoverit to attempt data retrieval.
  • Tip 5: Recover Files to a New Location

    Avoid attempting to recover your data onto the same disk where it was initially stored. Doing so may result in overwriting or corrupting files during the recovery process, causing them to become irretrievably lost.

Comparison Chart of the Best Hard Drive Recovery Software

With numerous software applications claiming expertise in data recovery from hard drives, it can be overwhelming to identify the optimal solution for your specific requirements. To simplify your decision-making process, we have meticulously assembled a detailed comparison of five highly regarded hard drive recovery tools for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

wondershare recoverit
Wondershare
Recoverit
disk drill
Disk Drill
minitool power data recovery
MiniTool Power
Data Recovery
easeus hard drive data recovery
EaseUS Data
Recovery Wizard
recuva free hard drive recovery software
Recuva
OS Support Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac Windows Windows, Mac Windows
Supported Hard Drive File Systems exFAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, ReFS, HFS+, Encrypted HFS, HFSX, APFS, BTRFS, XFS, BFS, EXT4 exFAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, APFS, EXT2/3/4 FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, VFAT, NTFS, NTFS5 FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, HFS+, ReFS, EXT2/3 exFAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, EXT2/3/4
Supported File Types 1000+ 400+ 100+ 1000+ 50+
IDE/SCSI/PATA/SATA/USB/PCIe Connection Support Partial Support
BitLocker/T2/M1/M2 Encrypted Drive Recovery Partial Support Partial Support
External Hard Drive Recovery
NAS Hard Drive Recovery
Disk Image Recovery
Lost Partition Recovery
Unbootable Hard Drive Recovery
Bad Sectors Recovery Partial Support
Document/Photo/Video Repair Partial Support
Quick and Deep Scan
Resume Scanning Process
File Preview Partial Support Partial Support
Price Starts at $59.99 $89 Starts at $69 Starts at $69.95 Starts at $24.95
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In Cases Where Software Recovery Falls Short

As previously mentioned, software-based solutions often cannot recover severely damaged hard drives alone. The best course of action is often to seek professional data recovery services. These experts possess the knowledge, tools, and cleanroom facilities required to handle such complex cases. Here are the general steps involved in recovering data from a severely physically damaged hard drive through a hard drive recovery service.

Step 1
Search Google for a Recovery Center Near You
Look for a well-established and experienced data recovery service provider with a track record of successfully recovering data from physically damaged drives.
Step 2
Contact the Hard Drive Recovery Service Provider
Reach out to the chosen service provider and explain the situation, providing details about the physical damage sustained by the hard drive.
Step 3
Assessment and Evaluation
The hard drive recovery service will perform an initial assessment of the damaged hard drive to determine the extent of the damage and the potential for data recovery. They may provide you with an evaluation report and a quote for the recovery process.
Step 4
Ship the Drive to the Service Provider
If you agree to proceed with the data recovery service, you will need to provide authorization and sign any necessary agreements or consent forms. Then, ship your hard disk to the service provider.
Step 5
Recovery Process
The data recovery experts will carefully disassemble the damaged hard disk in a cleanroom environment to protect the internal components from further harm. They will employ specialized techniques and tools to extract and recover data from the damaged drive.
Step 6
Data Extraction and Restoration
Once the data is successfully extracted from the damaged drive, the data recovery service will transfer it to a new storage device or medium. They will work to restore the recovered data to its original, usable state.
Step 7
Delivery of Recovered Data
The hard drive recovery service will provide you with the recovered data on a suitable storage device or through a secure file transfer method, depending on your preferences.
Comparison Chart of Hard Drive Recovery Software and Service
Hard Drive Recovery Software Hard Drive Recovery Service
Operation Type DIY Professional Lab
Speed Several minutes to hours 24 hours or more
Reliability Moderate to high High
Cost Under $100 Over $100
Privacy High Low
It's important to note that the success of data recovery from severely physically damaged hard drives can vary depending on the extent of the damage and other factors. Additionally, the cost of professional hard drive recovery services can be relatively high. However, in critical situations where valuable data is at stake, professional data recovery services offer the best chance of recovering the lost information.

How To Repair Logical Disk Failure and Retrieve Data Without
a Data Recovery Software

When encountering a logical disk failure, you can attempt to repair the issue and retrieve data without relying on hard disk recovery tools by applying the fixes below:

Please note that these methods may not guarantee complete data recovery, especially if the drive has severe logical issues or physical damage. In such cases, consult a professional hard drive recovery service.

Preventive Actions to Avoid Hard Disk Data Loss

Hard drive corruption is a common occurrence, and unfortunately, data loss can sometimes be unavoidable. However, you can minimize the risk of potential failure and take better care of your hard drive by following these tips:

  • Tip 1: Regular backups

    Schedule regular backups of your important data to an external storage device or cloud service. This ensures you have a copy of your data in case of hard disk failure.

  • Tip 1: Regular backups

    Schedule regular backups of your important data to an external storage device or cloud service. This ensures you have a copy of your data in case of hard disk failure.

  • Tip 2: Disk health monitoring

    Utilize hard disk monitoring tools to keep an eye on the overall health of your hard drive. These tools can alert you to potential issues before they become critical, allowing you to take preventive action.

  • Tip 3: Defragmentation

    Periodically defragment your hard drive to optimize its performance and reduce the risk of data loss. Defragmentation consolidates fragmented files, making it easier for the hard drive to access and store data.

  • Tip 4: Virus protection

    Install a reputable antivirus program and keep it updated to protect your computer from malware, viruses, and other threats that can lead to data loss or hard drive damage.

  • Tip 5: Safe shutdowns

    Always shut down your computer properly to avoid data corruption or hard disk damage. Avoid forceful shutdowns or unplugging your computer without going through the proper shutdown process.

  • Tip 6: Update your software

    Always shut down your computer properly to avoid data corruption or hard disk damage. Avoid forceful shutdowns or unplugging your computer without going through the proper shutdown process.

FAQs About Hard Drive Data Recovery

  • Yes, it is possible to recover data from a physically damaged hard drive using data recovery software, such as Wondershare Recoverit. These applications are equipped with features specifically designed for recovering data from damaged drives. Alternatively, if the software fails to retrieve the data successfully, your next best option is using a hard drive recovery service with specialized tools and expertise.
  • Yes, there are some DIY methods for hard drive recovery that you can attempt. One popular data recovery software is Wondershare Recoverit. Here are the steps to use Wondershare Recoverit for hard drive recovery:
    1. Download, install, and launch Wondershare Recoverit;
    2. In the Hard Drives and Locations section, select the drive from which you want to recover data;
    3. Click Scan to initiate the search for lost data on the selected drive;
    4. Preview the scanned files and select the desired ones that you wish to recover.;
    5. Click Recover to retrieve the selected files and save them to a safe location.
  • Presented below are some of the top-rated free hard drive recovery software options in 2023:
    1. Recoverit Data Recovery Free (Windows/Mac/Linux/NAS Server)
    2. TestDisk (Windows/Mac/Linux)
    3. Photorec (Windows/Mac/Linux)
    4. Recuva (Windows)
    5. R-Studio (Windows/Mac)
    6. MiniTool Data Recovery Free (Windows)
    7. Wise Data Recovery (Windows)
    8. Data Rescue 5 (Windows/Mac)
    9. Stellar Data Recovery (Windows/Mac)
    10. OnTrack EasyRecovery (Windows/Mac)
  • Yes, it is possible to recover data from a dead hard drive if the drive can be recognized by the operating system and is displaying the correct size. In such cases, you can attempt data recovery using specialized software. However, for instances of severe hardware failure or a truly dead hard drive, professional data recovery services with specialized tools and expertise are typically necessary to retrieve the data successfully.
  • When a hard disk drive (HDD) dies, it means that the drive is no longer functional or operational. Here's what typically happens when an HDD dies:
    1. Inaccessibility: The data stored on the HDD becomes inaccessible. The operating system may not recognize the drive or display error messages when attempting to access it.
    2. Unusual sounds: A dead HDD may emit clicking, grinding, or buzzing sounds. These noises indicate mechanical failures such as a malfunctioning motor or damaged read/write heads.
    3. Failure to spin: The drive may fail to spin up or spin properly. This can be due to motor failure or issues with the internal components.
    4. Data loss: Without a functioning HDD, the data stored on it becomes at risk of being lost. This can include personal files, documents, photos, videos, and other valuable information.
    5. System instability: A dead HDD can cause system instability, leading to frequent crashes, freezes, or slow performance. This occurs when the operating system encounters difficulties accessing or communicating with the drive.
  • If your hard drive won't boot and you need to recover data from it, you can try using Wondershare Recoverit's crashed computer recovery feature. Follow these steps:
    1. Download and install Wondershare Recoverit on a functioning computer;
    2. Launch the software and select the Crashed Computer Recovery mode;
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive;
    4. Insert the bootable USB drive into the non-booting computer;
    5. Restart the computer and access the BIOS or boot menu by pressing the designated key during startup;
    6. Adjust the boot order to prioritize the created bootable media;
    7. Once the computer boots from the bootable media, connect an external storage device, such as an external hard drive, to the computer;
    8. Select the drive that contains the desired data for recovery and designate the external storage device as the destination;
    9. Click Start to begin the recovery process.
  • It is possible to recover data from a formatted hard disk using data recovery software such as Wondershare Recoverit. Here are the steps:
    1. Download, install, and launch Wondershare Recoverit on your computer;
    2. From the Hard Drives and Locations list, select the formatted hard disk;
    3. Click Scan to initiate the search for lost data on the formatted disk;
    4. Preview the found files and select the ones you wish to restore;
    5. Click Recover to save the selected files to a secure location.
  • When a hard disk drive (HDD) is corrupted, it means that the data stored on the drive has become damaged or inaccessible. Here are some common consequences of HDD corruption:
    1. Data loss: Corruption can result in the loss of files, documents, photos, videos, and other data stored on the HDD. The corrupted areas may prevent proper access and retrieval of the information.
    2. System instability: A corrupted HDD can lead to system instability, causing frequent crashes, freezes, or errors during operation. It may affect the overall performance of the computer or cause certain programs to malfunction.
    3. Booting issues: Corruption in critical areas of the HDD can prevent the computer from booting properly. It may result in error messages during startup or an inability to access the operating system.
    4. File system errors: Corruption can affect the file system structure of the HDD, resulting in errors when attempting to read or write data. This can lead to file system inconsistencies and difficulties in accessing files and folders.
    5. Disk failure: In some cases, severe corruption can contribute to a complete HDD failure. The drive may become unresponsive, making it impossible to retrieve data without professional assistance.
  • Yes, it is possible to recover files from a failed hard drive. Professional data recovery services can help retrieve data from severe hardware failures. Software-based solutions can also be attempted, but success depends on the extent of the failure. Regular backups are recommended to prevent data loss.
  • The cost of hard drive recovery can vary depending on several factors. For simple cases where data recovery software tools are sufficient, the cost can be under $100 USD. However, in more complex scenarios with severe data loss or physical damage to the hard drive, professional data recovery services may be required. The cost for such services typically ranges from several hundred dollars to potentially over a thousand dollars, depending on the specific circumstances and the chosen data recovery service provider.
recover data from hard drives
Recover Lost Data From Any Hard Drive
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