SSD File Recovery: Can You Get Deleted Files Back?

TL;DR

Recovering deleted files from an SSD with TRIM enabled is very difficult, often impossible. TRIM actively erases data to improve performance, making traditional recovery methods unreliable. However, it’s not a complete write-off – there are still some things you can try, but success isn’t guaranteed.

Understanding the Problem

Unlike hard drives (HDDs), Solid State Drives (SSDs) work differently. When you delete a file on an HDD, the data remains until overwritten. SSDs use flash memory and have limited write cycles. To maintain performance and lifespan, they employ a feature called TRIM.

• TRIM: This command tells the SSD which blocks of data are no longer in use (deleted files). The SSD then proactively erases these blocks to prepare them for new writes.
• Why it matters: Once TRIM has run on a block containing your deleted file, that data is effectively gone. Recovery software can’t read erased blocks.

Steps to Attempt File Recovery

1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately: The more you use the SSD after deleting files, the higher the chance TRIM will erase them. Avoid writing any new data to it.
2. Check if TRIM is Enabled: Before attempting recovery, confirm whether TRIM is active.
   • Windows: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

     fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

     If the result is DisableDeleteNotify = 0, TRIM is enabled. If it’s 1, it’s disabled.

   • macOS: Open Terminal and run:

     diskutil info /dev/diskX

     (Replace X with the disk identifier of your SSD). Look for “TRIM Support” – if it says Yes, TRIM is enabled.

3. Use Data Recovery Software: Several tools are designed to recover files from SSDs. Be aware that success rates will be lower with TRIM enabled.
   • Recommended Software (examples): Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill. (Note: These are examples; research and choose software suitable for your needs.)
   • Process: Download and install the software on a different drive than the one you’re recovering from. Scan the SSD thoroughly. The software will attempt to locate recoverable files.

     Be patient – this can take a long time, especially for larger drives.

4. Consider Deep Scan Options: Some recovery software offers “deep scan” modes which are more thorough but slower. These may find fragments of files that regular scans miss.

   Be aware deep scans can take significantly longer and still might not yield results.

5. Check for Shadow Copies (Windows): If System Protection was enabled, Windows may have created shadow copies of your files. This is a long shot but worth checking.
   • Accessing Shadow Copies: Right-click the folder where the deleted file(s) were located and select “Restore previous versions”. If available, you’ll see a list of previous versions you can restore from.
6. Professional Data Recovery Services: If the data is critical and you’re unable to recover it yourself, consider using a professional data recovery service.

   These services have specialized tools and expertise but are typically expensive.

Why TRIM Makes Recovery So Difficult

• Data is Physically Erased: Unlike HDDs where data can be reconstructed, TRIM actively removes the data from the flash memory cells.
• Wear Leveling: SSDs use wear leveling to distribute writes evenly across all memory cells. This makes it harder to predict where deleted file fragments might be located.

Preventative Measures

• Regular Backups: The best defense against data loss is a robust backup strategy. Use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or both.
• Avoid Full Drive Encryption (if possible): While encryption protects your data, it can complicate recovery efforts even further.