How to recover file from external hard drive? Note a few things in using external hard drive

External hard drive has been a common used storage device for us to extend the computer’s memory space, and transfer data between different computers and storage devices. At the same time, data loss often occurs as we more and more rely on it. How to recover files from hard drive? And what should we do to prevent possible data loss? Here are some things you need to note when using external hard drive.

1. Remember to back up your files on external hard drive

No matter what storage device you use, it’s better to back up your files on other devices. You should always have more than one copies to avoid the accident or inevitably data loss.

2. Do not optionally format or reformat your external hard drive

If you want to format your external hard drive, you should back up all the files here first. If the system prompts you to format it, you also should not directly format it. If you cannot complete the format, it will prompts that Windows was unable to complete the format. This prompt implies possible problems on your external hard drive, you should find them out and try to fix them.

How to fix the error of Windows was unable to complete the format?　

3. External hard drive cannot be recognized

When you plug the external hard drive into computer, the system prompts that the USB device not recognized. You can try to find the reasons for this issues and try to fix.

4. Back up your files before partitioning the drive

If you found a partition lost on this external drive ,you should use a data recovery software to retrieve your files on lost partition as soon as possible. After you have get your files, you can re-partitioning your drive.　

5. File system conversion on external hard drive

If your external hard drive has a FAT32 file system, and you need to covert it to NTFS for you need to handle larger files, it’s OK. But you should notice your way of conversion. You should back up your files first before that.

How to covert FAT to NTFS?

Format it to NTFS　

Use cmd to convert

Open the cmd.exe, execute chkdsk h/f to check your external hard drive. H is the drive letter of the drive you need to concert. Execute H:/FS :NTFS. It will start to convert and finish in several minutes.

6. How to choose external hard drive

What you should notice when choosing an external hard drive? Which type, size you should choose, and which kind of cable type have the faster speed?

7. Maintenance of external hard drive

Maintenance your external hard drive in daily life can greatly reduce the chance of drive failures and data loss.

How to recover files from external hard drive?