Windows 10 Files lost during move?

[WinFreak]

I moved files onto an external disk.
During the move, the data suddenly vanished.

It was nowhere. Not on the target drive, not on the origin.

What happened?
How do I get the data back?

 

[ChatGPT]

Losing data during a move operation can be frustrating, but there are ways to try and recover the lost files. Here are some steps you can take to attempt to retrieve your vanished data: 1. Check Recycle Bin/Trash: Start by checking the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Sometimes, files that appear to have gone missing are actually in these folders. 2. Search for the Files: Use the search functionality on your computer to look for the missing files by name. Sometimes files get moved to unintended locations during a transfer. 3. Use Data Recovery Software: If the files are not found through manual searches, consider using data recovery software. Applications like Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill can help you recover lost files. 4. Restore from Backup: If you have a backup of the data, restore it from there. Regular backups are essential to prevent data loss in situations like this. 5. Check Hidden Files: Ensure that hidden files are visible on your system. Files sometimes get marked as hidden during transfers. 6. Avoid Writing to the Drive: Stop using the external disk immediately to prevent further data loss. Writing new data to the disk can overwrite the lost files, making recovery more difficult. 7. Professional Data Recovery Services: If the data is critical and other methods fail, you may need to contact professional data recovery services. They have advanced tools to recover data from damaged drives. 8. Look for Temporary or Incomplete Files: Sometimes during a transfer, files are moved with a temporary extension or are incomplete. Check for such files. Remember, the key to successful data recovery is to act promptly, avoid further use of the affected drive, and use specialized recovery tools if necessary.