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Losing important data from a crashed hard drive is a nightmare for anyone. Whether it’s your personal photos and videos or critical business documents, it can be devastating to lose everything in just one instant. With the release of Windows 11, many users are wondering how they can recover data from a crashed hard drive on the new operating system. The good news is that it is possible to retrieve your data with the right tools and techniques.
In this guide, we’ll show you 3 methods to recover data from a crashed hard drive on Windows 11. We’ll also discuss the potential issues you may encounter during the data recovery process and provide some recommendations to prevent data loss in the future.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods, you’ll need the following:
1. A working computer: You’ll need a computer running Windows 11 with sufficient storage space to hold the recovered data.
2. External hard drive: You may need an external hard drive to store the recovered data. Make sure it has enough space to contain the data you wish to recover.
3. Data Recovery Software: You’ll need a trustworthy data recovery software to scan and recover lost data from the crashed hard drive.
What requires your focus?
Recovering data from a crashed hard drive can be a delicate and time-consuming process, and it’s essential to take the right steps to ensure success. Here are a few things that require your focus:
1. Stop using the computer: When you suspect that your hard drive has crashed, stop using the computer immediately to prevent further damage to the drive.
2. Do not attempt to repair the hard drive on your own: DIY repair attempts can cause unintentional damage to the hard drive and make data recovery impossible.
3. Use a trusted data recovery software: Choose a software program with excellent reviews and success stories from other users.
3 Methods to Recover Data From Crashed Hard Drive on Windows 11
Here are 3 methods to recover lost data from a crashed hard drive on Windows 11:
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
Using Windows 11’s built-in Command Prompt to recover data from a crashed hard drive is an easy way to retrieve lost files. Follow the steps below:
1. Connect the crashed hard drive to the working computer.
2. Press the Start button and type ‘cmd’ into the search box.
3. Right-click on Command Prompt and select ‘Run as Administrator.’
4. Type ‘chkdsk X: /f’ in the command prompt window (replace X with the drive letter of the crashed hard drive) and press Enter.
5. Wait for the scan to complete and check the recovered files by opening the specific drive.
Pros:
– Built-in tool: Command Prompt is present in all Windows versions, including Windows 11, and doesn’t require third-party software.
– Affordable: You don’t need to pay for anything; it’s a free built-in tool.
Cons:
– Not 100% reliable: A lot of times, Command Prompt fails to recover all data items, and some files will be corrupted or damaged.
Method 2: Connect Crashed Hard Drive to Another Computer
Connecting the crashed hard drive to another computer is a straightforward way to retrieve lost files if you have access to another working PC.
1. Open the working computer and power it up.
2. Use a compatible device to connect the crashed hard drive to the working PC through USB or SATA cables.
3. Once the PC detects the external hard drive, navigate to the broken drive and identify the lost files.
4. Copy and paste the files into the working computer or external storage device.
Pros:
– Affordable: You don’t need data recovery software; connecting the crashed hard drive to another computer is a free option.
– No special knowledge required: Connection of the hard drives to another computer requires you to have minimum technical knowledge of computers.
Cons:
– Physical damage: If your hard drive crashed due to physical damages, connecting the drive to another computer may result in further damage to the hard drive, making data recovery impossible.
Method 3: Use Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software is the most effective method to recover data from damaged or crashed hard drives. It can retrieve files lost due to any reason, be it damaged or deleted. Stellar Data Recovery is one of the best data recovery software in the market. Here are the steps to use this software:
1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery software on your working computer.
2. Connect your crashed hard drive to your computer.
3. Launch Stellar Data Recovery, select ‘Recover Data.’
4. Choose the crashed drive under ‘Connected Drives’ and click on ‘Scan.’
5. Wait for the scan to complete, preview, and recover your lost files.
Pros:
– High recovery success rate: The software can restore all the data lost from your crashed hard drive.
– Wide compatibility: Stellar Data Recovery supports all file types, file systems, and Windows versions, including Windows 11.
Cons:
– Price: Data recovery software may require payment, depending on the type of license you choose.
– Scanning time: Scanning and recovering data can take a lot of time, depending on the size and complexity of the data on the hard drive.
Why Can’t I Recover All the Data From My Crashed Hard Drive?
1. Physical damage: If the hard drive has physical damage, data recovery through software may not be possible.
2. Too late: If you keep using your crashed drive, that may overwrite the lost data, making it impossible to recover.
3. Disk-level damage: Disk-level damages such as bad sectors, blocks, corrupted files, or partitions may result in data loss.
Implications and Recommendations
Data loss is a serious problem, and it can have far-reaching implications. Here are some recommendations to prevent data loss:
1. Back up data: Make sure you always have a backup of your data saved to an external drive or cloud storage.
2. Use reliable hardware: Purchase and use trusted, high-quality storage devices that are less likely to malfunction.
3. Scan for viruses: Ensure regular scanning of your computer for viruses and malware to prevent data loss due to cyber-attacks.
5 FAQs About Recovering Data From Crashed Hard Drive on Windows 11
Q1. Can using recovery software cause further damage to the crashed hard drive?
A1. No, most of the data recovery software doesn’t damage the disk, but overusing the crashed hard drive can cause further damage.
Q2. What is the maximum data recovery capacity of data recovery software?
A2. The maximum data recovery capacity of data recovery software depends on the software’s license type.
Q3. Can I recover data from a crashed hard drive using my Mac?
A3. Yes, but you’ll need to purchase compatible data recovery software that supports the Mac OS.
Q4. Will my warranty cover the data recovery costs?
A4. No, if the data loss is due to physical damage, the problem falls under the company’s warranty policy.
Q5. Can I retrieve lost files that are months old?
A5. Yes, data recovery software can retrieve data that has been lost for months or even years.
In Conclusion
Recovering data from a crashed hard drive Windows 11 is possible through the three methods discussed above. It’s important to carefully read through the pros and cons of each method before deciding on the best option. Lastly, taking preventive measures such as regular backups and scans can help avoid data loss in the future.