Laptop Data Recovery: Recover Files from Laptop Hard Drive Efficiently

“How can I recover data from my laptop?”

Thanks to their portability, laptops allow users to work anywhere they want or need to. Therefore, laptops are almost a necessity among businessmen in various fields and students.

With tons of important work and study files stored on the laptop, it will be pretty upsetting to meet data loss.

The above case has shown one of the causes of data loss – deletion or disk formatting,  on a laptop. Except for that, quite many other factors can lead to data loss.

Possible reasons for data loss from laptop

If you have noticed you are losing data from your laptop, check these factors.

◀ Deletion. You might probably accidentally delete files in Windows, and undoubtedly, this is the biggest reason why you lose data from storage devices.

◀ Disk formatting. Some users might be wondering does quick format deletes files. Be it a quick format or a full format, your data will be erased.

◀ Recycle Bin emptying. Similarly, if you have accidentally emptied Recycle Bin, the files will be permanently deleted.

◀ Virus intrusion. Viruses can delete, modify and encrypt your data.

◀ System crash. An unexpected system crash will interrupt the data-writing process and lead to data loss.

To help you solve this problem and recover files from laptop hard drive easily, some methods and tools will be introduced.

3 feasible methods for laptop data recovery

In this part, 3 viable approaches need backups.

1. Recover data from laptop hard drive via File History

File History is one of the good backup tools on a Windows machine. It allows users to back up and restore C: drive files.

Step 1. Launch Control Panel > System and Security > File History.

Step 2. Restore personal files.

Step 3. Go to the original location of the files you have deleted or lost > select the data you want > Recover. Use arrows to view earlier versions.

Using this too, you can also recover permanently deleted Excel files from desktop.

2. Restore previous versions of lost/deleted files

If the lost laptop files were stored in a folder, you could restore previous versions of files or folders to get back deleted/missing data from hard drives.

The previous versions come from the restore points that the system creates when you have installed any software or updates; and also, if you have enabled File History, this method can help you as well.

Step 1. File Explorer > find the upper/parent folder of which contains the lost data.

Step 2. Right-click the folder > Restore previous versions > choose an earlier or the latest version > Restore.

You could also click Open to view and check the contents.

3. Perform laptop hard drive recovery from windows backup

The most comprehensive and useful backup tool on a Windows machine is the Backup and Restore. It facilitates users to choose the source drive or folder and the target drive or folder on a local disk.

Step 1. Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Restore my files.

Step 3. Browse for files > select backups > select deleted or lost flies from the backup > Next. Also, here you could select Browse for folders and restore deleted folders on Desktop or anywhere you need.

Step 4. Choose a place to store the files as you like > click Restore.

Thus you could restore files from backup in Windows 10, 8, and 7.

Perform laptop data recovery without any backups and difficulties

Actually, it is not difficult to understand that many users don’t have the habit to back up their important files timely. And thus, they lack the ability to fight against data loss.

But no worries, professional Windows data recovery tools are to help. Using a tool, you could easily scan and detect wanted data from laptop hard drive.

Step 1. Install and run the software > hover the mouse over the drive, and click Scan.

Step 2. Filters like Size, Type, Date modified, etc., are to help you target wanted files.

Step 3. Go to Deleted files > navigate to the original location > select deleted files from the laptop > click Recover x files. Or go to Other missing files > select data types and restore.

Not only a healthy drive, but this app can also help you recover data from formatted hard drives.

Related suggestions

Laptop data recovery methods, notices, and other info are covered in this guide. Backup tools like File History, Backup and Restore, Previous Versions, etc., can help you recover data from laptop.

Without backups, you could still turn to reliable data rescue utilities for help. In addition to these methods, some suggestions are gathered as well.

• Do not delete files or items from a laptop in a hurry.
• Use the laptop properly and pay attention to maintenance.
• Back up important files on the laptop from time to time. Using professional backup software for Windows will be preferable.