I switched my external WD My Passport from my Mac to Windows laptop and now everything is gone

[Pietro_5]

Today I was going to access my WD external Passport to upload files directly onto my Google Drive. When I plugged in my drive into my laptop, I couldn't access any of the files, but my laptop recognized that it was plugged in. I asked my friend what the issue could be and he said to go under Disk Management and double-check if things were ok with my data. So I open up Disk Management and an "Initialize Disk" pop-up opened, and without searching up what it actually did I just clicked "OK". This is where I think I annihilated my data, because it displays under my disk that it is "Unallocated" and all 500GB are free now ;(.

I panicked, ejected the drive, and quickly plugged it into my Mac to see if I deleted all 500GB of my childhood videos and photos. My Mac displayed that "The hard drive was unreadable" so I go to try and repair the disk but lo and behold another error pops up. This time is displays that "partition map check failed because no slices were found."

I'm freaking out at the moment because I think I just deleted all of my personal files and family photos. If you guys could offer some insight on how I could go about fixing this (if possible) that would help me so much.

 

[lthampton]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

 

[Pietro_5]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

ok, Ill attempt to use that and Ill let you know if it works. Thank you.

 

[Pietro_5]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

 

[DSzymborski]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

You can also try Recuva, which has the basics in their free version.

 

[Pietro_5]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

Im using EaseUS to recover my files and the app only mentions that I have to pay after the two hours of recovering my files. It only has a "view" function on the free version. This is complete nonsense.

 

[lthampton]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

Well that is one option, see DS's comment for Recuva, i have heard that one works well. I got a free liscense of that software from my work, and forgot it was a paid service.

 

[DSzymborski]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

Im using EaseUS to recover my files and the app only mentions that I have to pay after the two hours of recovering my files. It only has a "view" function on the free version. This is complete nonsense.

Actually, no. They mention it when you download the software.

https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery-software/

The limitation on recovery is literally the first feature listed for the Free version.

 

[Pietro_5]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

Im using EaseUS to recover my files and the app only mentions that I have to pay after the two hours of recovering my files. It only has a "view" function on the free version. This is complete nonsense.

Actually, no. They mention it when you download the software.

https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery-software/

The limitation on recovery is literally the first feature listed for the Free version.

Sorry I didnt spot that, I was in full panic mode when i downloaded it

 

[DSzymborski]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

Im using EaseUS to recover my files and the app only mentions that I have to pay after the two hours of recovering my files. It only has a "view" function on the free version. This is complete nonsense.

Actually, no. They mention it when you download the software.

https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery-software/

The limitation on recovery is literally the first feature listed for the Free version.

Sorry I didnt spot that, I was in full panic mode when i downloaded it

Just slow down and catch your breath! I know it's stressful, but you want to make sure you don't accidentally do something and make the recovery even harder.

 

[Pietro_5]

Unfortuantely it probably DID delete all the files, however there are numerous programs you can try to retrieve that data. I have used this one personally to retrieve the files on a HDD i accidentally formatted, much the same way you did. https://www.easeus.com/resource/recover-deleted-files-hard-drive.htm

I have to pay to get my files back?
bruh

The next step of recovering after software is sending it to a proper lab, which can easily go over $1000.

Unfortunately, the only sure way to protect data is to properly back it up in the first place rather than having to fix a disaster.

Im using EaseUS to recover my files and the app only mentions that I have to pay after the two hours of recovering my files. It only has a "view" function on the free version. This is complete nonsense.

Actually, no. They mention it when you download the software.

https://www.easeus.com/data-recovery-software/

The limitation on recovery is literally the first feature listed for the Free version.

Sorry I didnt spot that, I was in full panic mode when i downloaded it

Just slow down and catch your breath! I know it's stressful, but you want to make sure you don't accidentally do something and make the recovery even harder.

so, last question - if I want to use Recuva to recover my lost files on an external hard drive id have to get the advanced version? Im definitely more lenient to pay $20.

 

[Pietro_5]

Seems like I've run into another issue - for some reason I can't access the side drive using Recuva.