How to Recover Deleted External Memory Files

External hard drives such as portable hard drives, USB flash drives and SD memory cards allow you to transfer information to other devices. Deleted information from any of these drives can be restored. A computer with a recovery program will restore your coveted data. To prevent this from happening again, make sure you always make backup copies.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

1. Try EASEUS Deleted File Recovery. For free, you can open a drive, then search through images of deleted files. Check the files you want to recover and left-click "Restore."

2. Install Recuva, a free program. In one screen, you can select the drive, claim your files and press "Restore" to bring them back.

3. Redeem files for $27 as of August 2010 with eIMAGE Recovery. This program will go further than free programs, allowing you to restore formatted files as well as deleted files. Simply select the drive and the program will automatically scan for both deleted and formatted files. Check the files you want and press "Restore" to retrieve your data.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep hard drives at room temperatures because extreme heat and cold will cause them to not function to their fullest potential.

• Direct sunlight will corrupt data.

References

• Snap Files: EASEUS Deleted File Recovery
• Snap Files: Recuva
• Snap Files: eIMAGE Recovery

Resources

• Tech Support Guy: Transfer Photos to an SD Card