If you’ve accidentally deleted files or experienced data loss from your Windows Storage Spaces, don’t panic. It is possible to recover your files using the right tools and techniques. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to restore your deleted or lost files from Windows Storage Spaces.
Understand Your Storage Spaces Configuration
Before attempting to restore your files, it’s important to understand how your Storage Spaces are configured. Windows Storage Spaces offers several resiliency options, including simple, two-way mirror, three-way mirror, and parity. The number of drives that can fail without losing data depends on your chosen configuration.
In a simple space, all drives must be present to access the data. In a two-way mirror or parity space, you can lose one drive without losing data. In a three-way mirror space, you can lose two drives concurrently without losing data.
Connect All Available Drives
To restore your files, you’ll need to connect all available drives that were part of your Storage Spaces pool. This includes any drives that may have failed or been replaced. Plug the drives into your computer’s motherboard or connect them externally using a USB to SATA/IDE adapter.
Use a Reliable Data Recovery Tool
Several data recovery tools can help you restore files from Windows Storage Spaces. Some popular options include:
- Disk Drill: Supports all types of Storage Spaces and can recover data from various file systems.
- DiskGenius: Automatically detects Storage Spaces and can access files stored in the spaces.
- UFS Explorer RAID Recovery: Specifically designed for recovering data from RAID configurations, including Storage Spaces.
Follow the instructions provided by your chosen tool to scan your Storage Spaces and locate the missing files.
Scan Your Storage Spaces
Once you’ve connected all available drives and launched your data recovery tool, it’s time to scan your Storage Spaces. Select the appropriate tool from the toolbar, disable all file systems except NTFS/ReFS, and click “Start scan”.
Depending on the size of your Storage Spaces and the number of files, the scanning process may take some time. Be patient and let the tool do its job.
Preview and Select Files to Recover
After the scanning process is complete, you’ll be able to preview the recovered files and folders. Use the tool’s filters, search bar, and preview feature to find the files you need.
Once you’ve identified the files you want to restore, select them and choose the “Recover” or “Save selection” option, depending on your tool.
Choose a Safe Location for Recovery
When recovering your files, it’s crucial to choose a safe location that is not part of your Storage Spaces pool. Select a different drive or partition to avoid overwriting any existing data.
Once you’ve chosen the destination, the recovery process will begin. Depending on the number and size of the files, this may take some time.
Verify the Recovered Files
After the recovery process is complete, take some time to verify that your files have been restored correctly. Open a few files to ensure they are readable and not corrupted.
If you encounter any issues with the recovered files, you may need to try a different data recovery tool or seek professional assistance.
Restoring deleted or lost files from Windows Storage Spaces can be a complex process, but with the right tools and techniques, it is possible. By understanding your Storage Spaces configuration, connecting all available drives, using a reliable data recovery tool, and choosing a safe location for recovery, you can increase your chances of successfully restoring your files.