
Method 1: File Explorerįile Explorer is the most common method of viewing your files.

You cannot natively access files on a Mac hard drive using Windows 10, for example. However, be mindful of what file system the external hard drive is using. There are various ways to view files on your external hard drive. If a bad sector appears and your hard drive didn’t have an opportunity to move the data to a spare sector, that data may disappear and become irretrievable. This requires data recovery.Īn influx of bad sectors is a sign of hard drive corruption. If the file system of your external hard drive has become corrupted, you won’t be able to access your files as you normally would. Consider scanning your external hard drive for malicious software using Microsoft Defender Antivirus before recovery. Malware, like viruses, can modify your files and folders, as well as delete them. If you accidentally knock the delete key, it’s easy to miss the mistake if your focus is elsewhere. If the hidden attribute has been applied to your files/folders, they will not appear in File Explorer like normal.įiles can be deleted in an instant. Problemįiles and folders have attributes. Here are some common problems that cause your files to become hidden, deleted, or otherwise lost. There are a number of reasons why the files on your external hard drive might’ve disappeared. Why Files May Disappear From a Hard Drive How do I find hidden files on my external hard drive?.Why is my external hard drive not showing files?.


