How to Recover Your Lost Data?

SadaNews - The moment of realizing that important files have been deleted is one of the most stressful situations in the digital age. However, data does not disappear entirely once the delete button is pressed; it remains recoverable unless new information is written over it, which opens the door to hope for recovering what is lost through studied and simplified technical steps. In this article, we present a set of tips resembling a guide for recovering files across different operating systems for personal computers, mobile phones, portable storage units, and various cloud storage services.

Why do your data remain available after deletion?

To begin with, it must be understood that the file recovery process relies on the fact that the operating system does not delete the file from the hard drive but removes the file's address from a designated file index, leading the system to believe that that area of the hard drive is empty. The index can be rebuilt after the hard drive has been wiped again, but this process may fail if the system writes any new file (or part of a new file) in 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).

The important point is not to save any new files on the hard drive from which the file was deleted, even if it is the operating system's hard drive, and not to install any new programs or updates. It is necessary to remove the hard drive immediately after deleting the file and connect it to another computer as an external storage unit, then scan it using specialized file recovery software. When wishing to start the recovery process, it is highly recommended that the recovered file be saved to another hard drive or a different portable storage unit than the one from which the file was deleted. This is to avoid writing information over other areas of the hard drive or portable storage unit, which would prevent the ability to recover more deleted files.

Free Solutions: Recovering Data via System Tools

We mention a set of tools available in various operating systems and cloud storage services that help in recovering deleted files:

• "Windows": The basic steps in a "Windows" environment begin by checking the "Recycle Bin" first. If your deleted files are not there, you should immediately proceed to the "File History" feature. This step requires accessing the classic "Control Panel" and selecting "System and Security" (this option can be searched for in the modern control panel to be opened in the classic panel), then clicking on "Restore your files with File History." This option allows you to browse folders by date and select the version that predates the deletion, then press the green button to restore it to its original location. Alternatively, you can right-click on the folder from which the files were deleted, select "Properties," then "Previous Versions," select the previous date when the file was present, and finally click the "Restore" button.

• "Mac OS": For "Mac OS" users, the first step relies on the "Time Machine" feature. To recover data, you must connect the backup drive to the device, then open the folder that contained the missing file and run "Time Machine" from the menu bar. Users can navigate through time using the timeline on the side of the screen, and once the desired file is identified, the "Restore" option is pressed to bring the deleted file back.

• "Android": As for "Android" phones, the recovery process for captured photos and videos often relies on the "Google Photos" app or the "Files by Google" app. The process starts by opening the app and navigating to "Library," then "Trash." If the data is stored on a portable memory card, it is advisable to remove it from the phone and connect 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" operating system, the first step is to check the "Recently Deleted" album in the Photos app. If the file is missing from there, the user goes to the "iCloud" site via an internet browser, goes to "Account Settings," then clicks on "Restore Files" at the bottom of the page. This step searches the logs of deleted files in the cloud service, allowing the restoration of contacts or files that were manually deleted.

• Cloud Storage Services: As for cloud storage services like "Google Drive" and "OneDrive," recovery is done through simple steps via the browser. You need to go to the "Trash" folder in the sidebar menu, as these services retain files for up to 30 days. In "OneDrive," specifically, subscribed users can restore all files to a previous point in time within the last 30 days, protecting against ransomware attacks that encrypt files. Conversations from various apps, such as "WhatsApp" and "Telegram," can also be restored by going to the settings menu of each app and selecting "Restore" from within the app itself.

Using Professional Software and Repair Experts

If the built-in tools in the operating system fail, there is a need to use professional data recovery software. Steps begin by downloading a reliable program to a storage unit different from the one from which the data was lost to avoid overwriting it. After running the software, the user selects the type of files they wish to recover (such as images, documents, or videos, for example), identifies the targeted storage unit, and then begins the "Deep Scan" process that searches for remnants of deleted data. Some tools allow previewing deleted files before restoring them to ensure they are the desired files.

If the operating system on the personal computer does not recognize the hard drive or the portable storage unit at all, it is advisable to ensure the quality of the cable connecting the unit to the computer and that it is fully secured on both ends. It is also recommended to try a new cable to ensure that the internal wires of the old cable are not damaged. After that, "Windows" can be launched, pressing the "Windows" key, followed by pressing the X key on the keyboard simultaneously, and selecting "Disk Management." This allows inspection of the condition of the hard drives present on the computer through the new window. If the hard drive information appears on the screen (even if its status is "Raw"), this indicates that the system can see it but cannot interact with it. If the drive does not appear at all, this indicates a larger issue, and it may be necessary to take the hard drive to a specialized company for hard drive repairs.

If the hard drive appears in the "Disk Management" program, it may be possible to repair the issue through specialized programs, but under the supervision of technical experts to avoid losing your data forever. Specialized companies should be consulted if the computer is damaged by liquids, fire, or severe shocks, as the damage is physical, not software-based, and requires different procedures to clean the hard drive from damage before proceeding with data wiping and recovery.

When the malfunction is mechanical (such as hearing a strange recurring sound coming from the disk), work should be stopped immediately and taken to a company specializing in data recovery, as the magnetic head of the hard drive that reads data may be damaged, requiring it to be replaced with another of the same model. It is strongly advised against opening the hard drive at home or in the office and performing this process because dust particles in the air can cause damage to the entire hard drive.

Digital Prevention: Protecting Files from Deletion Disasters

Here are several tips to proactively protect yourself against losing important files and making the data recovery process a simple procedure instead of an irretrievable catastrophe. It is recommended to set the system settings to create automatic backups of your important files and folders every 24 hours on an external drive, or a cloud storage service.

• The "3 2 1 Rule": You should keep 3 copies of your important files on 2 different types of storage units (an internal hard drive and an external one, or a portable storage unit and a cloud storage service, for example), and an additional copy in a different geographic location to avoid the risk of flooding, fire, or theft.

• Saving Cloud Copies: You should keep a complete copy of important files through cloud storage services as mentioned earlier, as cloud storage services back up files across several geographic locations to protect them from damage.

• Labeling External Storage Units: It is advisable to put labels on external storage units (hard drive or USB unit) and write information related to their contents (such as personal photos and videos, or work presentations, or audio recordings for a project, for example), to prevent the user from accidentally formatting that unit, especially if it resembles the shape or exterior design of other units.

• Prepare Yourself in Advance: It is recommended to install file recovery software in advance so that you can handle the situation without negatively affecting the chances of recovering deleted files if they are on the operating system's main hard drive.

. It is also advisable to prepare a portable storage unit (USB) containing the operating system (Bootable USB) so that the computer runs from it instead of the built-in hard drive, thus avoiding writing any information in the location of the deleted file on the hard drive. It is also recommended to install file recovery programs on that unit as well.

Specialized Tools for Recovering Deleted Data

We present a selection of highlighted software that can help you recover deleted files across different operating systems, turning the data recovery process into simple steps that give you a chance to keep 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 don't 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" (Programs that work on the personal computer when connected to the phone):

- Dr. Fone – Data Recovery

- Disk Drill Recovery

- FonePaw Android Data Recovery

- iToolab RecoverGo

- Jihosoft Android Phone Recovery

• "iOS" (Programs that work on the personal computer when connected to the phone):

- PhoneRescue

- Tenorshare UltData iPhone Data Recovery

- iMyFone D-Back

- AnyFix

- EaseUs MobiSaver