Best Ways to Restore Backup Data from External Hard Drive on Windows 10/11/8/7

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  • Published on
    March 24th, 2014
  • Updated on
    September 8, 2022
  • Read Time
    6 minutes
Summary:-External Hard Drives are astronomically used as a storage device. It is a portable storage device that can be attached to a computer through a USB or FireWire connection. They have often been labeled the most reliable storage source due to their portability and huge storage capacity. However, like other storage drives, they are also prone to severe data loss. This blog will describe the possible causes of data loss and how to restore backup data from external hard drives. Once you observe the data loss, remove the external hard drive carefully to avoid severe damage and overwriting the data. However, IT experts have always recommended buying reliable Backup Data Recovery Software.

What Can Cause Data Loss in External Hard Drives?

Data loss in External Hard Drive can occur for several reasons, a few of which are detectable and a few are still undetectable. Let’s quickly discuss the possible reasons that can cause data loss.

  • Internal Damage: Data loss in External Drive can occur due to corruption, Improper formatting, and accidental file deletion. It may also happen due to file system failure, corruption in the partition structure, system crashes, etc.
  • Electronic Damage: Data loss can also occur when there is a power surge or if there is no appropriate power supply from surge-protected or grounded power outlets. Moreover, bad sectors on external hard drives, malware attacks, and several other unknown reasons can be the possible reasons for data loss on External drives.

Also Read: How to Open BKF File in Windows?

How to Restore Backup files from External Hard Drive Windows 11?

Follow the simple steps to restore backup from external hard drive Windows 10, 11, 8, or 8.1:

  1. First, plug your external hard drive into your computer. 
  2. Click Start, type backup, then click the Backup and Restore link that appears.
  3. Click on the Restore my files button.
  4. If you want to restore a specific file, click on Browse for files, then search the folders to find the file. Highlight it, then click Add files.
  5. What If you want to restore whole folders or even the entire backup? Tap on Restore my files > Browse for folders.
  6. Here, locate the folder you want, highlight it and click Add.
  7. Finally, select In the original location on the next screen and click Restore>> Finish.

How to Backup & Restore Backup Data from External Hard Drive on Windows 7?Backup Process

  1. Start your device and connect the external hard drive to your system. External drives usually connect to a computer via a USB port. But some might require eSATA. The external drive must have sufficient space to store the backup. Therefore, Microsoft suggests using an external drive with at least 200 GB of free space.
  2. In the Autoplay window, select “Use This Drive for Backup. “
  3. Press “Next” if you are directed to a backup location. This screen won’t appear for only one backup option. Else, you will get the choice to select your desired backup location. However, the external drive will be a default backup location.
  4. Press “Next” to keep the “Let Windows Choose” option intact. Otherwise, the “Let Me Choose” option will let you choose whether you have to include a system image or not.
  5. Press “Change Schedule” if you want to amend the default schedule, then click “OK.” The default Schedule uses weekly backups on Sunday at 7 p.m.
  6. Select “Save Settings and Run Backup” and wait for its completion.

Restore Steps 

  1. Insert your external drive into your system.
  2. Press “Start,” type “backup and restore,” and then press “Backup and Restore.”
  3. Select “Restore My Files.” Otherwise, press “Restore All Users‘ Files” to restore all files or “Recover System Settings or Your Computer” to perform a system recovery
  4. Choose “Browse for Files” or “Browse for Folders” and select the files or folders you want to restore. Press “Next.” Repeat the process to add more files or folders.
  5. Select “In the Original Location” to save the files to their original location or select “Browse” to select another location.
  6. Select “Restore” to restore the backup files

How to Restore backup from External hard drive in Windows XP?

  1. Restart your system to ensure that all applications are closed.
  2. Insert the device to backup your data which can be a CD/DVD media, Flash-based storage, or an external drive.
  3. Launch the Backup utility. Go to the Start menu >All Programs>Accessories>System Tools and click Backup.
  4. In Backup or Restore Wizard, click Next.
  5. The “Backup or Restore” dialog box will provide two options: backup your files and settings or restore your files and settings. You must select “Restore files and settings” and “Next.”
  6. In the case of a drive failure, you can browse the backup file created during the backup process. If you cannot locate it, search the files ending with the .bkf extension.
  7. Double click on the backup file, or you can use the collapse “+” sign underneath the “Items to restore:” heading to the desired file you want to restore.
  8. Select the files or folders you would like to restore. Press “Next
  9. A window will pop up providing an overview of all the commands you have configured for the utility. After that, click on “Finish.”

All the above methods for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and XP help you to access backup files on external hard drives, but if it fails to restore the complete data, you don’t have any other solution left. That’s why we recommend you to use the third-party solution, which is reliable and efficient in restoring Backup data from external Hard drives.

An Expert Solution to Restore Backup Data from External Hard Drive

Although there are numerous ways to recover the backup data from a corrupted/ damaged hard drive, it doesn’t necessarily assure the reliability and safety of the backup files. Therefore, our data recovery experts always emphasize reliable data recovery software. Sysinfo BKF Recovery Tool safely backs up more than 1TB successfully and comes up with exclusive features like Range Scan and Search Functionality.

Check out its free version to test the software’s data recovery capabilities. It effectively scans corrupt files and displays all files and folders in the hierarchy. Once convinced, you can purchase a full license to restore the recovered data at your desired location.

Simple Steps to Restore backup data from External Hard Drive

  1. Install and Start the SysInfo BKF Recovery Tool.
  2. Click Open to browse the BKF file from your system.
  3. Choose the recovery mode as per the level of corruption.
  4. The software recovers all your data and shows you in the preview panel.
  5. Now, click on the Save button to restore the backup file data.
  6. Finally, the recovery process is completed.

Final Thoughts

Always try to maintain at least two backup copies of your important data. Moreover, make sure not to interrupt the hard drive while using it. Never disconnect it while it is being used, and always eject it safely. However, it is always recommended to use data recovery software for safer and reliable backup of crucial data.

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