Overview: This blog will give you a detailed description of how to recover files that disappeared from my external hard drive. We will provide complete pictorial guidance to resolve this query. 

Due to various threats and errors, the data become inaccessible to users. When the user can’t reach the data, a question arise that how to retrieve missing data from external hard disk.

This blog will provide a direct and authentic solution to resolve this issue in an effortless manner. If you have left hope of recovering hidden files from your desktop, this utility is your saviour. Before explaining the steps and instructions in detail, let's understand the user scenario

How to Recover Files that Disappeared from My External Hard Drive? Query

“I store my important files and documents on an external hard drive that makes it feasible to carry it anywhere with me. But tomorrow,, when I was looking or searching for my normal files, they were missing. I am sure that I haven’t deleted it. I tried everything but nothing was fruitful. Please let me know if there is any solution to recover deleted or lost data from an external hard drive.

Reasons Why You Disappeared Files on your External Hard Drive

Before discussing recovery methods, let's first briefly discuss the causes of file loss.

• Files and Folders are Hidden. If your files are on your computer but you can't access them, they may be hidden.
• Accidental Deletion or Formatting: Human error, such as accidentally deleting or formatting an external hard drive.
• Infection with a Virus or Malware: Dangerous malware, such as viruses and Trojans, can cause files to suddenly get deleted or disappear.
• File System Corruption: Damage to the partition table and files can result in lost or deleted files.
• Physical Damage: Mechanical damage from blunt objects, damage to hard drive heads and platters, moisture, power outages, etc.

Method to Recover Files that Disappeared from My External Hard Drive

Here's how to view files using Windows Explorer:

1. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Click Drive > View > View > Hide Items.
3. Or tap the three dots and select Settings > Display > Show hidden files, folders, or drives > Apply > OK.

Use Registry Editor

1. Pick Windows + R tab to open the Run window. Type "regedit" and press Enter.
2. Move to the next path. "HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Explorer -> Advanced.".
3. To make files and folders visible, right-click the Hidden property, select Edit, and change the value from 2 to 1. Then click OK.
4. Finally, change "ShowSuperHidden" to "1" to show protected operating system files.

With Attrib Command

You can use the attrib command to change the attributes of files on your storage device. Here's how to view lost files and folders:

1. Load an elevated command prompt (her CMD with administrator privileges). Here are the shortcuts: Press Windows Key + R to open Run. Type or write CMD and click CTRL + SHIFT + Enter.
2. Type the command attrib -h -r -s /s /d F:*.* and press Enter cmd command

An Automatic Solution to Recover Files That Disappeared from My External Hard Drive?

SysToolsHard Disk Recovery Wizard is recommended by millions of users around the world. You don't have to worry about losing files due to incompatibility. Moreover, this software provides secure data recovery services and can recover lost files from various devices, such as external hard drives.

This software has the ability to restore items from deleted/permanently deleted videos on hard drives, which are usually of unlimited size. The program will automatically detect free partitions after scanning the disk.

Steps to Retrieve Missing Data from External Hard Disk

1. Download and run the Data Recovery Utility on your system. Attach the external hard drive. Hit Refresh View option to make it visible on the home page.
2. Select the drive from which you want to recover lost data from an hard drive. Click on the Scan tab, and it will scan the data throughout the drive. The formatted scan option must be used only in the case of recovering formatted files from the computer.
3. Once the data is loaded in the program, you will see the files that were missing on the external drive. Select the files using a checkbox or select the root folder and click on the Save button. All the infected and deleted files will be shown in red for easy identification.
4. These processes will retrieve the files after formatting your hard drive and will display a pop-up confirmation message after the export is complete.

These above steps will resolve the query of how to retrieve missing data from an external hard disk in a convenient manner within a few mouse clicks. 

Also Read: Know How to Check Hard Disk Health in Windows?

Distinguished Features of Hard Disk Recovery Application

Here are some honorable features of this utility

• Easy-to-use, self-explanatory steps for recovery of files
• Great ability to restore permanently deleted files and folders
• Recover corrupted, damaged,  inaccessible, and missing out data from hard drive
• Works on both internal and external hard drive
• Ability to recover lost or deleted data files on any HP computer or laptop of any size
• It supports recovering deleted excel files from recycle bin on any versions of Windows
• Works on Desktop PC, computers, and laptop machines.
• Keep your data secure and accessible from external sources

Conclusion

Users store important information on the external hard drive. The situation becomes serious when that data is found to be missing. We demonstrated the practical steps that will retrieve missing data from the external hard disk. We expect that now you have an authentic solution for how to recover files that disappeared from my external hard drive. It has numerous features that directly benefit the users and provide smooth functioning for recovery.