How to Recover Deleted Files from an SSD: Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s digital age, our lives are intricately woven with technology, and our precious memories and essential documents often reside on various digital devices. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have become a popular choice for storage due to their speed and reliability. However, accidents happen, and files can be inadvertently delete from SSDs. The good news is that with the right knowledge and tools, it’s possible to recover deleted files from an SSD. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of SSD file recovery, ensuring that your valuable data remains intact.

Understanding SSDs and Data Recovery

Before diving into the recovery process, let’s first understand what an SSD is and how data recovery works on this type of storage device. SSD stands for Solid State Drive, which is a faster and more reliable alternative to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Unlike HDDs, which use spinning disks to store data, SSDs use flash memory chips. While SSDs offer numerous advantages, including faster data transfer rates and durability, recovering deleted files from an SSD is a bit trickier than from an HDD.

Unlike HDDs, where data is physically stored on spinning disks, SSDs employ a technique called TRIM. TRIM is a command that ensures the performance and longevity of an SSD by marking unused data blocks as available for future use. When you delete a file from an SSD, the TRIM command immediately marks the memory cells that contained the file’s data as available for overwriting. This means that, unlike with HDDs, where deleted data may still be partially present until it’s overwritten, recovering deleted files from an SSD becomes challenging once the TRIM command has been executed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Deleted Files from an SSD

Now that we understand the intricacies of SSDs let’s dive into the step-by-step guide for recovering deleted files from an SSD.

Step 1: Stop Using the SSD

The first and most crucial step is to stop using the SSD immediately after you realize the files have been deleted. Continuing to use the drive might overwrite the deleted files and make them irretrievable.

Step 2: Use a Data Recovery Software

There are various data recovery software options available that are specifically designed to recover deleted files from an SSD. Choose a reliable and reputable software tool and download it onto a different storage device. Avoid installing the software directly on the SSD from which you are trying to recover the files, as it may cause further data loss.

Step 3: Connect the SSD to Another Computer

If you have access to another computer, connect the SSD to that computer. This can be done using an external SSD enclosure or SATA-to-USB adapter. By doing so, you ensure that the delete files are not accidentally overwritten during the recovery process.

Step 4: Launch the Data Recovery Software

Launch the data recovery software that you installed in Step 2. Select the SSD as the target drive for the recovery process.

Step 5: Scan for Deleted Files

Initiate a deep scan to search for deleted files on the SSD. Depending on the size of the SSD and the number of deleted files, the scanning process may take some time to complete. Be patient and let the software do its job.

Step 6: Preview and Recover the Deleted Files

Once the scanning process is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Take your time to preview the files and select the ones you want to recover. Ensure that you have enough space on the computer or another storage device to store the recovered files.

Step 7: Save the Recovered Files

Choose a safe and reliable location to save the recovered files. Avoid saving them back onto the SSD you are recovering from to prevent any potential data loss.

Utilizing Data Recovery Services

In some cases, the DIY approach may not yield the desired results, especially if the SSD has suffered physical damage or there are complexities involve. In such situations, it is advisable to seek professional data recovery services. These services employ advanced techniques to recover data from damaged or non-functional SSDs.

Data recovery services have specialized equipment and expertise to handle complex data recovery scenarios. They can often recover files that DIY software might not be able to.

Conclusion

Losing important files can be a nightmare, but with the right steps and tools at your disposal, you can increase your chances of successful SSD file recovery. Remember to act quickly, avoid further usage of the SSD, and use reliable data recovery software. If the situation calls for it, don’t hesitate to seek professional data recovery services. By following this step-by-step guide, you can recover your deleted files from an SSD and save yourself from unnecessary stress and frustration.