Can Lost Data be Recovered from SSD?
While recovering deleted or lost data from an HDD is comparatively easier, the same cannot be said for SSD. Unlike platter-based HDDs or hard drives, SSDs are chip-based drives that store data in the form of electric charges.
Data lost from an SSD is often irrecoverable due to the SSD TRIM command.
Let’s learn more about the SSD TRIM ATA command and see if there are any workarounds to disable or skip it.
What is TRIM Command?
As SSDs are flash-based storage drives, the storage chips on them have cells that store data in the form of electrical charges. The data is written randomly on these cells, which causes them to wear down and lose integrity. While deleting data, removing the electrical charge from the cells further degrades them. Over time, this continued process depletes their charge-holding capacity, rendering the drive unusable.
To increase the SSD’s longevity and even out the wear on each cell, SSDs employ the TRIM command along with active garbage collection. TRIM also helps the drive efficiently manage the storage space without putting undue stress on a selected number of cells.
When a file is deleted from an SSD, the space holding the deleted file’s remnants is marked as ‘no longer in use’. Next time the computer is idle, the TRIM command tells the SSD controller to use Garbage Collection to delete the data. The command also helps the SSD controller to recognize sectors containing invalid information and overwrite them with new data.
Methods to Recover Lost Data from an SSD
Accidentally deleting important files is painful. However, there are methods you can use to perform SSD recovery and retrieve lost files without much hassle.
If you have accidentally deleted files from your Windows PC/Mac with native SSD storage, stop using the system immediately and try the methods explained below.
Note — In some cases (Windows), you can disable the TRIM command, which can help you recover lost files in the future.
Method 1: Check the Trash/Recycle Bin
On your Mac or Windows PC, look in the Trash or Recycle Bin for recently deleted files. Both Trash and Recycle Bin hold deleted files for up to 30 days before permanently deleting them. Look for your deleted files in these folders and restore them.
Method 2: Use Time Machine Backup or File History
If you have permanently deleted files using the SHIFT + COMMAND + DELETE keys in Mac or SHIFT + DELETE keys in Windows, retrieve your files from automatic data backups created on an external drive. Both Time Machine in Mac and File History in Windows are ingenious ways to create timely backup of your critical data and retrieve it anytime.
You can also use these automatic backup mechanisms to recover lost files on an SSD in case TRIM is enabled.
Method 3: Recover Lost Files from an External Drive, iCloud, or Other Cloud Services
In most SSDs, the TRIM command is enabled, which permanently wipes off deleted data. To prevent unintentional data loss due to this command, you can use various backup files. If you have created a copy of your data on an external storage drive or are using iCloud or any other cloud service to create data backups, use them to recover your lost files.
Method 4: Use a Professional Data Recovery Software
If you don’t want to get into the hassle of looking through backups or there’s no backup available, you can use a professional data recovery software to recover your lost files. Data recovery software are specialized tools that help you recover files lost in various data loss scenarios from any storage device. Be it SSDs, HDDs, or any other storage media, a professional data recovery software can recover lost or deleted files in a matter of a few clicks.
Conclusion
Recovering lost data from an SSD is a complex task. This is primarily due to the TRIM command that automatically detects deleted data and removes it from the drive. This makes it difficult or, in some cases, impossible to retrieve deleted files. However, performing SSD recovery is possible in two cases — first, if the TRIM command is disabled and second, if you’re using a Mac system with an Intel processor.
Hope you found this guide helpful. Did we miss any method? Share it in the comments.