To recover data from a Western Digital (WD) hard drive or a My Book NAS, your options depend on the type of failure. For logical issues like accidental deletion or formatting, you can often use data recovery software. However, if the drive has physical damage, a data recovery service is necessary.
How to recover data from a WD hard drive (excluding NAS)
The simplest recovery method for a standard external or internal hard drive is to use data recovery software, assuming the drive is still functioning correctly and doesn’t have physical damage.
Before you begin:
- Stop using the drive immediately. Do not save any new files to it, as this can overwrite the data you want to recover.
- Install data recovery software on a different hard drive to prevent overwriting.
Step 1: Choose and install a data recovery tool
Download and install a reputable recovery program like Disk Drill, Recuva, or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Many offer a free version that can recover a limited amount of data, which is useful for verifying if your files are retrievable.
Download and install a reputable recovery program like Disk Drill, Recuva, or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Many offer a free version that can recover a limited amount of data, which is useful for verifying if your files are retrievable.
Step 2: Scan your WD drive
- Connect your WD hard drive to your computer.
- Launch the recovery software.
- Select your WD drive from the list of available devices and start the scan.
- If the initial “Quick Scan” doesn’t find your files, run a “Deep Scan” or “All-around Recovery” for a more thorough search.
Step 3: Preview and recover your files
- After the scan, review the files that the software found. Many tools allow you to filter results by file type or search by name to find what you need.
- Preview files like images and documents to ensure they are not corrupted.
- Select the files you want to recover.
- Choose a different storage location—not the WD drive—to save the recovered data.
How to recover data from a WD My Book NAS
Recovering data from a My Book NAS is more complex than with a standard hard drive, as the device stores data across a network and sometimes uses encryption or a RAID configuration.
Step 1: Dismantle the NAS and extract the drives
You must remove the drive(s) from the NAS enclosure to recover the data. This involves carefully opening the case and disconnecting the drives from the circuit board.
You must remove the drive(s) from the NAS enclosure to recover the data. This involves carefully opening the case and disconnecting the drives from the circuit board.
Step 2: Connect the drives to a PC
- Single-drive NAS: Connect the drive directly to a desktop computer using a SATA cable or use an external drive adapter.
- Multi-drive NAS (RAID): For a RAID setup, you must connect all drives from the NAS to your computer at once. You may also need special RAID recovery software to rebuild the array.
Step 3: Use advanced data recovery software
Once the drive(s) are connected to your computer, use specialized software to handle the NAS filesystem (often Linux-based) and potential encryption.
Once the drive(s) are connected to your computer, use specialized software to handle the NAS filesystem (often Linux-based) and potential encryption.
- Use software that supports NAS recovery, such as Stellar NAS Data Recovery, Disk Drill, or R-Studio.
- Follow the software’s instructions to scan the drive(s) and recover your files to a separate location.
When to use a professional data recovery service
You should consider professional services for your WD hard drive or NAS in the following scenarios:
- Physical damage: The drive makes unusual noises (clicking, grinding) or shows physical damage from a drop.
- Power issues: The drive does not power on, even when connected properly with the correct cables.
- Encryption problems: If your My Book uses hardware encryption (common in newer models) and you cannot access the data, you may need a data recovery expert.
- High value of data: For extremely important or sensitive data, a professional service is the safest option. Western Digital partners with companies like Ontrack for such services.
General tips to maximize your chances
- Act quickly: As soon as data loss occurs, stop using the device to prevent new data from overwriting the files you want to recover.
- Avoid DIY fixes for physical damage: Do not attempt to open a physically damaged hard drive yourself. This requires a cleanroom environment and can cause irreversible damage.
- Save recovered files to a new drive: Never save recovered data back to the same drive you are recovering from.
- Check your backups: If you have an automatic backup service like WD’s Acronis True Image, you may be able to restore your data without needing a recovery tool.
