Recover Data from a Virus-Infected External Hard Drive

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External hard drives are widely used for storing and backing up important files, including documents, photos, videos, and software. However, these devices are also vulnerable to virus infections, which can corrupt or hide files, making them inaccessible. A virus-infected external hard drive can pose serious risks, such as data loss, system damage, and even further spread of malware to other devices.

Recovering data from an infected external hard drive requires a systematic approach to ensure that files are retrieved without spreading the infection further. This article will make you learn the process of identifying signs of a virus infection, taking necessary precautions, scanning and removing malware, and recovering lost or hidden files. Additionally, we'll discuss preventive measures to keep your external hard drive safe in the future.

Understand Virus Infections on External Hard Drives

How Do Viruses Infect External Hard Drives?

External hard drives can become infected with viruses in several ways, including:

• Connecting to an infected computer – If you plug your external hard drive into a system that has malware, it may transfer onto the drive.
• Downloading infected files – Malware can spread through downloading files from untrusted sources, including emails, websites, or pirated software.
• Autorun malware – When the drive is plugged in, certain viruses take use of Windows' Autorun function to start running harmful code automatically.
• File-sharing and cloud syncing – If your external drive is used for file sharing, an infected file may compromise the entire drive.

Common Symptoms of a Virus-Infected External Hard Drive

• Files and folders disappear or become hidden.
• Unexpected shortcuts or unfamiliar files appear.
• The drive runs slower than usual.
• Antivirus software detects threats when scanning the drive.
• Error messages when trying to access files.
• The drive becomes inaccessible, showing messages like "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable."

Precautions Before Attempting Recovery

Before attempting to recover data, it's crucial to take the following precautions to avoid worsening the infection or spreading it to other devices:

1. Disconnect the Drive from the Internet

Some malware communicates with remote servers, so disconnecting from the internet prevents further damage.

2. Scan Your Main System for Malware

If your computer is already infected, clean it first using a reliable antivirus program to prevent reinfection of the external drive.

3. Avoid Opening Unknown Files

Do not open unfamiliar or suspicious files on the infected drive, as they might contain executable viruses.

4. Scan the External Drive with Antivirus Software

Use updated antivirus software to scan and remove viruses before proceeding with data recovery.

Methods to Recover Data from a Virus-Infected External Hard Drive

#1 Scanning and Removing the Virus

Before recovering data, you should remove the virus from the external hard drive to prevent reinfection.

Using Windows Defender or Third-Party Antivirus Software

1. Attach the external hard drive to a computer that has been cleaned.
2. Open Windows Security (Windows Defender) and go to Virus & threat protection.
3. Click Scan options > Custom scan, select your external drive, and start the scan.
4. If any threats are found, follow the recommended actions to remove them.

Alternatively, use trusted third-party antivirus software like Malwarebytes, Avast, or Bitdefender.

Using Safe Mode for a Deeper Scan

1. Restart your computer, then select Safe Mode by pressing F8 or Shift + Restart.
2. Launch your antivirus program and run a thorough external hard disk scan.
3. Remove detected malware and restart your system.

#2 Showing Hidden Files Using Command Prompt

Some viruses hide files instead of deleting them. You can use Command Prompt to reveal hidden files:

1. Connect the external hard drive to your PC.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   attrib -h -r -s /s /d H:\*.*

   (Replace "H:" with your drive letter.)

4. Check if the hidden files reappear in File Explorer.

#3 Using Data Recovery Software

Why Use Data Recovery Software?

When a virus infects an external hard drive, it may delete, hide, or corrupt files. In many cases, antivirus programs successfully remove the virus but cannot restore lost data. Data recovery software helps retrieve files that were deleted or made inaccessible due to the virus infection. These tools scan the drive for recoverable data and allow you to restore them safely.

How Data Recovery Software Works:

Data recovery software operates by scanning the external hard drive at a deep level, identifying remnants of deleted or inaccessible files. It works by:

1. Scanning the drive's file structure – The software searches for files that are missing from the directory but still exist on the storage medium.
2. Reconstructing deleted files – If a file has been deleted but not overwritten, recovery software can rebuild and restore it.
3. Identifying hidden or corrupted files – Some viruses only hide files instead of deleting them. Recovery tools can reveal these files and allow you to access them again.
4. Extracting partially damaged files – Even if some parts of a file are corrupted, the software may still recover portions of it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Data Using Donemax Data Recovery:

It is one of the best free recovery tools available, making it an excellent choice for most users. Here's how to use it:

Step 1. Download and install Donemax Data Recovery on your computer.

Step 2. Open Donemax Data Recovery, select the external hard drive to start data recovery.

Step 3. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the external hard drive and find all recoverable files.

Step 4. Once the scan is completed, select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

Important: Save the recovered files to a different location (e.g., your computer) to avoid overwriting data on the external drive.

What to Do If Recovery Software Fails?

If data recovery tools cannot retrieve your files, consider these options:

1. Try a different recovery tool – Some software performs better in specific scenarios.
2. Check for backups – Look in cloud storage, USB drives, or older external hard drives.
3. Seek professional help – Data recovery labs specialize in retrieving lost data from severely damaged drives.

#4 Restoring from Backups

If you have previously backed up your data, restoring from a backup is the safest way to recover lost files.

Checking Cloud Storage or External Backups:

• If you use Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, check for file versions saved before the infection.
• If you have a backup on another drive, restore files from there.

Restoring Files from System Restore Points (For System Files Only):

• Search for "System Restore" in Windows.
• Select a restore point before the infection occurred.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to restore system settings (Note: This does not recover personal files).

#5 Reformatting the Drive (If Necessary)

If the virus has severely corrupted your files and the drive remains unstable, formatting may be the only solution.

When Should You Format the Drive?

• If multiple recovery attempts fail.
• If the virus keeps returning after removal.
• If files are permanently damaged.

How to Format the Drive Safely?

1. Open This PC and right-click on the external drive.
2. Click Format and choose NTFS or exFAT as the file system.

3. Select Quick Format and click Start.

Caution: Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so back up any recoverable files first!

Preventive Measures to Protect External Drives from Future Infections

1. Use Trusted Antivirus Software

Keep your antivirus software updated and scan external drives regularly.

2. Disable Autorun for External Drives

To prevent automatic execution of malware:

• Open Run (Win + R) and type gpedit.msc.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
• Locate Turn off Autoplay and enable it.

3. Avoid Using Unknown or Public USB Ports

Public charging stations and untrusted computers may contain malware that can infect your external drive.

4. Backup Important Files Regularly

Use cloud storage or another external drive to keep copies of critical files.

5. Keep Your Operating System and Software Updated

Security updates patch vulnerabilities that viruses exploit.

Conclusion

Recovering data from a virus-infected external hard drive requires a careful approach to prevent further damage or data loss. By scanning and removing viruses, unhiding files, and using data recovery tools, you can restore your lost files effectively. However, prevention is always better than cure - keep your devices protected with strong antivirus software, disable autorun features, and regularly back up important data to avoid future infections.

If your drive is severely corrupted, consider formatting it as a last resort and implementing security best practices to safeguard it from future threats. By following these steps, you can ensure your external hard drive remains secure and your data stays protected.