Data Recovery Tips: Do’s & Don’ts While Performing Data Recovery

Data is increasingly widespread in today’s digital world. Data loss/data corruption has emerged as a highly frustrating problem for practically everyone. Data recovery is therefore becoming more and more critical. Data corruption or loss can frighten users and occasionally push them to make poor choices.

So, did you lose your data? Stay calm. Before indulging in the data recovery process, let’s take a closer look at the do’s & don’ts of recovery of lost data. Here are the safety measures to consider before the recovery of lost data.

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Data Recovery Tips: Do’s & Don’ts When Considering Data Recovery

General Data Recovery Tips

• Make it a practice to frequently back up your important files and folders. Back up your critical data as soon as you notice any strange activity or behavior from your PC.
• Installing and updating antivirus software on your computer will help to ensure that no malware or other vulnerability results in data loss.
• Keep several backup copies of your data.
• If you are thinking about reinstalling, updating, or formatting your operating system, remember to back up any vital data beforehand.
• Utilize trustworthy cloud backup software.

Read Also: 13 Best Free File Recovery Software for Windows 10

Now let’s jump into the do’s and don’ts of data recovery.

Do’s & Don’ts While Recovering Data

1. Data should never be restored to the original disk/hard drive

The data recovery software should never be downloaded or installed on the original storage drive/disk from which you lost your data. Because of the characteristics of the process of recovery, data can be retrieved up until the point where it is replaced by new data. Therefore, adding new files or making copies of existing ones to a faulty storage device will completely wipe out all hope of data recovery.

Therefore, if you want to recover your data, verify that the storage space next to the lost disk is empty. The likelihood of effective data recovery will rise. This will ultimately prevent data overwriting.

“If you want to recover your lost data, don’t overwrite it,” as you’ve surely heard or seen before. Or be cautious in situations of overwriting if you wish to restore lost data! However, you might not understand what overwriting entails and why you should stop right now to avoid overwriting.

The term ‘overwriting’ comes from the word overwrite, which means that fresh data is written over previously removed data. It involves updating binary data sets (the form in which your data is stored in your hard disk/drive) in computer storage with fresh data to replace the old data. That is why overwritten data is regarded as being unrecoverable. Once you write new data in the place of erased data your whole data will be wiped as soon as you do it.

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2. Maintain Consistent Power in the Process of Recovery

If you’ve decided to perform data recovery on your own, there is a very small rule you must follow. That will provide a steady supply of power throughout the operation. When the power supply is abruptly cut off, several unanticipated events may occur. They must be considerably worse than you can think, that much is beyond doubt. Additionally, the degree of losing data and the challenge of data recovery will also rise.

3. Never Dislodge the Hard Disk by using Force

Avoid touching your damaged hard drive roughly or trying to disassemble it or repair it because doing so could make the recovery process more difficult and risk permanent data loss. Physically modifying the storage will almost certainly make things worse rather than better. Therefore, it is preferable to seek the help of data recovery experts. If the hard drive has already been opened, carefully replace the lid, and avoid touching the disks.

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4. Avoid Formatting or Scanning the Disk

When you experience data disasters you could occasionally see some recommendations on the screen. It might advise using the ScanDisk utility, like CHKDSK, to repair the disk. Or it can suggest formatting the drive to restart and restore access to it. However, neither of the two suggestions should be your first choice. It appears that the process of scanning, fixing, and formatting is simply a way to write new data. Your whole data will be wiped as soon as you do it.

5. Avoid installing the operating system again

Another misconception about recovering data is that the user receives their files back after reinstalling the operating system. The files that need to be restored are partially or entirely overwritten when the operating system is reinstalled. The directory structure is also damaged by reinstallation. As a result, files are erased and even their location information is lost, which eliminates any possibility of recovery.

Read Also: How to Recover Files after Reinstalling Windows 11/10

Some Additional Tips:

• If you notice any clicking or grinding noises coming from your hard drive, turn your computer off right away.
• Install a reliable antivirus tool to check your system for viruses that could be causing data loss and eradicate them.
• To avoid overwriting the files and folders you are trying to recover, stop using your computer.

Read Also: 8 Best Data Recovery Software For Android Phone’s Internal Memory

Last Resort: Utilize Trustworthy & Verified Data Recovery Software

Sincere, data recovery is more difficult than using recovery tools. You must possess the necessary knowledge. Otherwise, if you commit even a minor error during recovery, your data will bid you goodnight forever. Therefore, be cautious when selecting recovery software and consult with data recovery specialists as soon as you are uncertain.

This is why we strongly recommend you to use Advanced File Recovery, a reputable and trustworthy file recovery program, to recover the important data that was lost as a result of hard disk corruption, formatting, reinstalling OS, user error, and other factors.

For more info about Advanced File Recovery read this full review of industry-leading data recovery software, Advanced File Recovery Detailed Review

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To Wrap This Up

The advice mentioned above is quite helpful and should be used in the event of recovery of lost data. By being aware of these data recovery dos and don’ts, you can prevent losing essential files and documents stored on your hard drive. But the key is to select the appropriate data recovery tool. So, give AFR a try and let us know your experiences in the comments below.  Also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.