Accidentally deleting important files can be a frustrating experience, especially when they are stored on an external SSD drive. However, there is no need to panic! In this article, we will guide you through the process of recovering accidentally deleted files on an SSD external drive in Windows 10 Home.
Step 1: Stop Using the SSD Drive
The first and most important step is to stop using the SSD drive immediately after realizing that files have been accidentally deleted. This is because any further use of the drive may overwrite the deleted files, making them unrecoverable. By avoiding any write operations to the drive, you increase the chances of successful recovery.
Step 2: Check the Recycle Bin
Before diving into complex recovery methods, it is worth checking the Recycle Bin on your Windows 10 Home system. The Recycle Bin acts as a temporary storage location for deleted files, allowing you to restore them easily. To check the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:
- Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon located on the desktop.
- Search for the deleted files by scrolling through the list or using the search bar at the top-right corner of the window.
- If you find the deleted files, right-click on them and select "Restore" to recover them to their original location.
Step 3: Use File History
If the deleted files are not found in the Recycle Bin, you can try using the File History feature in Windows 10 Home. File History creates regular backups of your files, allowing you to restore previous versions. To use File History, follow these steps:
- Connect the SSD external drive to your Windows 10 Home system.
- Open the "File History" settings by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
- Click on "Restore your files with File History."
- Locate and select the deleted files you want to recover.
- Click on the "Restore" button to recover the selected files to a new location on your system.
Step 4: Utilize Data Recovery Software
If the above steps did not help in recovering the accidentally deleted files, you can turn to data recovery software. There are various third-party software options available that specialize in recovering lost or deleted files from SSD drives. Here are a few popular choices:
- Recuva: A user-friendly software with a simple interface that can recover files from SSD drives.
- MiniTool Power Data Recovery: This software offers a free version with basic recovery features.
- Stellar Data Recovery: A comprehensive data recovery software that supports SSD drives.
When using data recovery software, it is important to install and run it on a different drive than the one you want to recover files from. This prevents any potential overwriting of the deleted files.
Step 5: Contact Professional Data Recovery Services
If all else fails, and the deleted files are of critical importance, it may be necessary to seek professional help from data recovery services. These services have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from SSD drives, even in the most challenging situations. However, it's important to note that professional data recovery services can be costly.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. To avoid accidental file deletions in the future, make sure to regularly back up your important files to multiple locations and exercise caution when handling files on your SSD external drive.
References
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Support | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-recovery-4d6d10bd-6c0f-4d54-af27-aea3e7e8d8cc |
| Recuva | https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva |
| MiniTool Power Data Recovery | https://www.minitool.com/data-recovery-software/free-for-windows.html |
| Stellar Data Recovery | https://www.stellarinfo.com/data-recovery-software.php |