How to Safely Recover Deleted Files from an External Hard Drive Using Your Mac
Losing important files can be a frustrating experience, especially when they are stored on an external hard drive. Fortunately, if you’re using a Mac, there are several methods available to help you recover deleted files safely. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps you can take to restore those precious documents without causing further damage to your data.
Understanding Data Loss on External Hard Drives
External hard drives offer great convenience for storing large amounts of data. However, they are not immune to data loss which can occur due to accidental deletions, formatting errors, or even hardware failures. Understanding the common causes of data loss is the first step in preventing it and knowing how to recover files effectively.
Using Time Machine for Easy Recovery
If you had set up Time Machine before your files were deleted, recovery is straightforward. Connect your external hard drive and follow these steps: Open Time Machine by clicking on its icon in the menu bar or from System Preferences. Browse through backups using the timeline on the right side of the screen until you find a backup that contains your lost files. Select those files and click ‘Restore’ to bring them back to their original location.
Manual Recovery with Finder
In some cases, deleted files may be found in the Trash folder of your Mac if they were recently removed. To check this: Open Finder and select ‘Trash’ from the sidebar. If you see your lost file(s) here, simply right-click on them and choose ‘Put Back.’ This process will restore them back to their original location on your external drive.
Utilizing Third-Party Software Solutions
When built-in methods fail or if no backups exist, third-party recovery software may be necessary. Programs like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard provide comprehensive tools for scanning your external hard drive for recoverable data. After installing one of these programs: Launch it and select your external hard drive; initiate a scan; review found items; select what you want restored; finally save those files back either onto another drive or directly onto your Mac.
Preventing Future Data Loss
To minimize future risks of losing important data again, consider implementing regular backup routines using Time Machine or other cloud-based solutions like iCloud Drive or Dropbox. Additionally, always eject external drives properly before disconnecting them from your Mac as improper disconnection can lead to file corruption.
Recovering deleted files from an external hard drive is entirely possible with a little patience and the right tools at hand. By following these guidelines and utilizing either built-in macOS features or third-party software when necessary, you can safeguard against potential future losses.
This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.
