How to Recover Backup Files from External Hard Drive Easily?

What Causes External Hard Drive Data Loss?

Before finding the solutions on how to restore backed up files from external hard drives. We must know the common reasons for its loss. These are as follows:

• Physical damage like extreme temperature exposure, spills, or human errors.
• Corruption within the file system due to improper ejection or malware.
• Software and Hardware issues may result in corrupted or damaged files.
• Accidental deletion, disk formatting, and system crashes are other factors.
• Also, interrupted data transfer is one of the major causes of drive data loss.

How to Recover Backup Files from External Hard Drive?

To protect all the crucial files and data from any kind of risk, threats, or losses. All you need to do is use the right tools and techniques to recover your backup files. Well, the question remains, how to retrieve backup files from an External Hard Drive? So, this section describes the best solutions i.e. a manual way and a professional tool for effective recovery. Explore the methods explained in detail below and choose one that suits your preference.

How to Retrieve Backup Files from External Hard Drive Manually

There are two different methods for backup file data recovery from an external hard drive. Follow the steps below:

Method 1: Use the File History Feature

1. Connect your external hard drive to the system and open File History.
2. Click the Select Drive option and choose the drive to recover.
   
3. Next, tick I want to use a previous backup on this File History drive.
   
4. A dialog box opens: Do you want to use this Drive for File History Again? Click Yes.

Method 2: Recover Backup Files Data Using Command Prompt

1. Connect the hard drive with your PC and open cmd from the Start menu.
2. Run the following command:

Chkdsk Z: /x (Replace Z with your hard drive letter) Z:\> attrib -h -s -r / s /d Z: *.*

3. Restart the system and your drive.

Limitations of the Manual Method

• There is no assurance that data will be completely recovered. 
• Sometimes the file history feature doesn’t work for external hard drives.
• Also, there is a high risk and chances of human error.

How to Recover Backup Files from External Hard Drive Using Automated Tool?

To instantly recover your backup files from a hard drive, the SysInfo BKF Recovery Tool is an optimum solution. It helps to restore all the information on file in an accessible form. This comprehensive software recovers data from external hard drives free without any size limitations. It is easy to use and has a fast recovery process. Moreover, this tool ensures that data is intact during the recovery. The utility has some other distinctive features, such as:

• Restore data from all kinds of BKF files created by any system.
• Options to preview and save the data on a PC, hard drive, or other location.
• Recover files with ease when you Fix Dell Error Code 0412 to avoid loss.
• Compatible with all versions of the Windows operating system.

How to Recover Backup Files from External Hard Drive? : Steps

1. Launch the tool and click Open from the taskbar.
2. Then, browse and select the (.bkf) file. Click Open.
   
3. Next, set a range: Complete or Partial for your BKF file and hit OK.
4. Afterward, expand the tree structure to preview and select files to restore.
   
5. Further, press Save from the taskbar to continue.
6. A dialog box opens. Tap the browse icon to set a destination path to save.
7. Subsequently, tick Save files in the folder hierarchy and enter a name.
8. At last, hit Save File(s) to complete the process.
   

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored different strategies to resolve the query of how to recover backup files from an external hard drive. Taking the essential measures at the right time is necessary to avoid any unexpected data loss situations. Thus, it is suggested to go for an expert solution to effectively and securely recover your data.

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About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.