How to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files From Removable Storage
An external hard drive, like any removable media connected to a computer, can have files accidentally deleted off of it. You can recover accidentally deleted files using an undelete program. There are a number of undelete programs for PCs and Macs that can be used with removable media, such as an external hard drive. Some of the undelete programs are available on a trial basis rather than having to be purchased outright. Undelete programs vary in their approaches to restoring files, but all work in a similar manner to recover the file so it can be used again.
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Instructions
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Plug the USB or FireWire cable from the external hard drive into the appropriate connector on the computer. Wait for the external hard drive’s icon to appear on the desktop.
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Download an undelete program to the computer’s desktop--for example, the trial version of the Data Rescue undelete program for the Mac or the trial version of FileRestore Professional for a PC. Double-click on the file when it has downloaded. Follow the menu commands to install the program onto the computer’s hard drive. If you're using a PC, restart it.
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Launch the undelete program by double-clicking its icon in the “Applications” folder or selecting it from the “All Programs” menu.
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Select “Beginner” or “Easy” from the undelete program’s main screen. Wait as the undelete program scans the computer for storage devices.
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Select the icon of the external hard drive from the list of choices presented in a new screen. Click the “Continue” button to go to a new screen.
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Select “Medium” from the “Scan Time” or “Scan Quality” pop-up menu. Click the “Continue” button to go to a new screen.
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Click the “Go” or Start” button. Click on “Yes” in the confirmation pop-up window.
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Wait anywhere from 20 minutes to more than four hours as a progress bar fills from left to right. Click the “Continue” button when the progress bar is completely filled.
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Click the check box next to the deleted file that is listed in a column on the new screen that has appeared. Click the “Continue” button to go to a new screen.
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Click on the “Save” or “Save To” button. In the window that appears, navigate to the computer’s desktop. Click the “Save” button in the window to save the deleted file to the desktop.
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Quit the undelete program when the program’s main screen reappears. Right-click on the external hard drive's icon on the desktop. Select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. Remove the USB plug from the USB port of the computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not delete further files from the external hard drive before you have recovered the ones you want.
