Windows 10: external hard drive lost all the files I saved after trying to install windows 10 installation

Discus and support external hard drive lost all the files I saved after trying to install windows 10 installation in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; Hey,first I will say I didn't notice something that says I will lose all my files when I tried to do that.second I would like to know if there is any... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by Naor Yakobi, Apr 19, 2025.

  1. external hard drive lost all the files I saved after trying to install windows 10 installation


    Hey,first I will say I didn't notice something that says I will lose all my files when I tried to do that.second I would like to know if there is any solution to recover all the lost files especially all my txt files.I tried use recuva, easeUS and diskdrill and nothing helped.please I would like to get some help and recover those files they are extremely important to me.Thanks.

    :)
     
    Naor Yakobi, Apr 19, 2025
    #1

  2. saving and viewing files on an external hard drive

    Hi Sam,

    We appreciate you for being part of Windows 10.

    Yes, you may format the external hard drive. Follow the below steps.


    • Connect the external hard drive to Windows 10 computer.

    • Press Windows + E keys on the keyboard to the keyboard to open the file explorer.

    • Locate the external hard drive on left navigation pane in File explorer.

    • Right click on the external hard drive and click on
      Format
      .

    • Click Start and follow on screen instructions to format the hard drive.
    I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

    Thank you.
     
    Kiran Kishore, Apr 19, 2025
    #2
  3. trying to install 7 w/o optical drive or USB drive (do have an external hdd)

    This method is going to be trial/error on my part but here's my stab at it:

    Use the guide he linked. Substitute in step 4, DO NOT FORMAT. Pre-format the hard drive with another PC/current windows install in NTFS format, then create 2 partitions. 1 to install from and one to install to. So in step 4 I beleive all you would have to do is a "clean" "select partition XX" & "active" command.

    In step 5, use virtual CD/DVD software.

    EDIT:

    The only problem I see with above is how are you going to install while booting? Meaning, for it to boot wouldn't you have to be external but yet must install to an internal drive?
     
    JrRacinFan, Apr 19, 2025
    #3
  4. Arun B J Win User

    external hard drive lost all the files I saved after trying to install windows 10 installation

    Multiple files lost from external hard drive after saving them using Windows 10

    Hi,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

    I understand your concern regarding the issue that you are facing.

    • Did you remove the External drive while installing the Windows 10?
    • Did you check if the file is hidden in the drive?
    • When did you back up the data to External drive?


    I suggest you to perform the backup some data to External device, and check whether you’re able to save the data in the External drive or not
    and also check in Windows 7.

    Keep us posted on the status of the issue and I’ll be glad to assist you further
     
    Arun B J, Apr 19, 2025
    #4
Thema:

external hard drive lost all the files I saved after trying to install windows 10 installation

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