Quick fix: Run Windows File Recovery (free from Microsoft Store). Open in Admin cmd: winfr E: D: /regular (recover from E:, save to D:, regular mode). For specific files: winfr E: D: /extensive /n *.docx. For fully failed drive: clone first via Linux ddrescue, then recover from clone. Avoid writing to failing drive during recovery.

Windows File Recovery: Microsoft’s free CLI tool. Recovers deleted / corrupted files. For physically failing drive: clone first with ddrescue, recover from clone to avoid further damage.

Symptom: Want to recover files from a failed drive with built-in tools.
Affects: Windows 11.
Fix time: ~2 hours.

What causes this need

File loss from: accidental delete, drive corruption, partition wipe. Drive physically failing: bad sectors, SMART warnings. Both fixable to some extent with file recovery.

Method 1: Windows File Recovery for healthy drive

The standard route.

Install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store. Free.
Open Admin Command Prompt.
Basic syntax: winfr [source] [destination] [/mode] [/switches].
For recently deleted files (regular mode):
```
winfr E: D: /regular
```
For deeper scan (extensive mode):
```
winfr E: D: /extensive
```
For specific file types: winfr E: D: /regular /n *.docx /n *.pdf.
For specific filenames: winfr E: D: /extensive /n *important*.* .
Wait for scan. Files saved to destination drive in “Recovery_[date]” folder.
Note: source and destination must be different drives.

This is the standard fix.

Method 2: Use Linux ddrescue for failing drive

For physical failure.

If drive failing (SMART warnings, slow): clone first to avoid further damage.
Boot Linux Live USB (Ubuntu, Mint).
Connect failing drive + healthy target drive (same or larger size).
Open terminal:
```
sudo apt install gddrescue
sudo ddrescue -d -r3 /dev/sdX /dev/sdY rescue.log
```
sdX = failing drive, sdY = target. -r3 = 3 retries per bad sector.
Wait. Hours for large drives.
Once clone done: boot Windows on healthy PC. Run Windows File Recovery on clone (using cloned drive as source).
For only-partial-clone (drive too damaged): try Recuva or PhotoRec for what was rescued.
For chronic critical data: backup pre-failure. Cloud sync (OneDrive) is your friend.

This is the failing-drive route.

Method 3: Third-party recovery tools

For when Windows File Recovery insufficient.

Recuva (free, by Piriform): GUI, simple for non-technical users.
PhotoRec (free, open source): file signature recovery; doesn’t need file system.
R-Studio (paid): professional. Best for severe damage.
Ontrack EasyRecovery (paid): pro option.
For Photo / video: PhotoRec by signature works even on formatted drives.
For chronic important data: professional data recovery service. $500-$2500. Last resort.
For physical failure (clicking sounds): stop using drive. Send to DriveSavers, Ontrack, etc.
For chronic prevention: backup. 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite.

This is the comprehensive route.

How to verify the fix worked

Recovered files open correctly.
Filenames preserved (or assigned auto-numbers).
Content matches expectation.
For files in good state pre-deletion: usually fully recoverable.

If none of these work

If files unrecoverable: Drive overwrites: continued use after deletion overwrote. Tools can’t find. For TRIM-enabled SSDs: deleted SSD data overwritten quickly by TRIM. Less recovery time. For BitLocker / encrypted: tools can’t see encrypted data. Recovery key needed first. For physical failure beyond ddrescue’s reach: clean room professional recovery. For specific cloud backup: OneDrive / Dropbox web → restore from version history. For chronic concern: enable File History (Settings → System → Backup). Auto-versions documents.

Bottom line: Windows File Recovery (free from Microsoft Store) for typical cases. winfr E: D: /regular or /extensive. For failing drives: clone via Linux ddrescue first. Recuva for GUI. Professional service for severe physical damage.