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How to Undo ESD-USB and Recover the Files on the Drive
The data is still on the drive, but you can only access it with data recovery apps
3 min. read
Published onAugust 14, 2024
published onAugust 14, 2024
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Accidentally converting your external hard drive to an ESD-USB can be a real headache, especially if you lose important data in the process. The bad news is that you can’t actually undo the process, but you may still recover your files and reformat the drive after so you can use it for other purposes. However, you will definitely need a data recovery software for this.
How do I recover my lost files?
1. Restore all lost files with data recovery software
By using data recovery software, you can easily scan your converted ESD-USB for lost files and recover them without much hassle. However, note that no such software will recover 100% of the lost data, so don’t expect miracles.
2. Delete the existing ESD-USB partition and create a new volume
Deleting the ESD-USB partition allows you to create new partitions and revert your hard drive back to its full capacity.
3. Format the ESD-USB via File Explorer
Formatting the ESD-USB using File Explorer is straightforward and can quickly convert your drive back to NTFS.
How do I avoid losing important data?
By following these preventive measures, you can minimize the risk of data loss and avoid converting your drives to ESD-USB by mistake.
Hopefully, by using our guide, you’ve managed to salvage your data from the ESD-USB drive and reformat it for other purposes.
Now, you can trycreating a Windows 11 bootable driveusing the highlighted guide. But this time, make sure you back up any data before using it for this purpose.
Did our guide help you? Let us know in the comments below.
More about the topics:data recovery
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
