External hard drives bring lots of convenience in daily work by storing the data outside the system. By maintaining the data outside the system, external hard drives offer several advantages for daily use. Still, a user plug-in the drive and realizes that folders and files are absent from the hard disk with rather high probability. Still, the hard-drive features display used space for the missing files and folders. For instances like this when files are missing from an external hard drive but still consuming space, we have developed several methods everyone may use to fix external and internal hard drives that are empty but shows used space without losing a piece of data. Reliable data recovery will be conducted from multiple points of view. Let us get right on!
Disappearing Data on External Hard Drives – Real Case Solution
“Please help! I find myself in Trouble. I recently purchased a new laptop, and when I connected my old external Seagate hard drive into it I noticed my folders vanished. Actually, except 9 files kept outside the folder, there are no files. The disk also shows 700 GB of free space. It implies that although not shown on the hard disk, my files are still there. Help me solve a Seagate external hard drive file disappearing but still space issue. I really need them right now.”
Hard Drive Full but Files Missing? Try These Workarounds
Users can fix internal and external hard drive files / folders disappeared using multiple basic methods. Use the following consecutive solution if you want access to files that do not appear on external hard drive:
Method 1: Check for Hidden Files on Your Device
Many times, data files are hidden on the HD and the user can’t access them. Users thus assume files and folders missing from external hard drives keep taking up space. One can therefore show the disappeared folders by following the instructions below:
- Set the Windows 10 external hard disk volume.
- File tab >> click Update search parameters and change folder.
- On the screen, the new Folder Options dialog box opens out.
- Click View tab >> Show hidden files, folders and drives now. Ensure that Hide’s suggested uncheck is similarly uncheck protected operating system files.
- Press the OK button.
- Verify now to see if hidden files show up on the drive.
Method 2: Hard Drive Shows Full but Empty – Understanding File System Errors
Problems in a file system can cause Seagate, Kingston in Windows 10, 8, 7 etc. to show empty on external hard drives. Go over the below-instructions attentively and fix users folder not accessible on Windows hard disk to resolve this glitch:
- At first, right-click on the external hard-drive volume and select from the list Properties option.
- Click on Tools located between General and Hardware tabs.
- Choose Check under Error Checking headers.
- Click Close >> OK once the scanning is completed satisfactorily.
Method 3: Fix User Folder Missing Issue Caused by Virus via Registry Value Repair
It might indicate a virus if the external hard disk displays occupied space but empty directories. Although no files issue, there is a solution for hard disk indicates used space:
- Visit Windows Start sign located in Windows 10.
- Type run and press the enter.
- Type “regedit” now in the text box.
- A screen pops-out providing user account control. It provides the message “Do you want to let this App make modifications to your device?” Click on Yes to go continue.
- Clicking Yes opens A Registry Editor on the PC immediately.
- Track this in Windows Settings Editor by applying this following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced \ Folder \ Hidden \ SHOWAL’
Method 4: Decoding the Dilemma: Hard Drive Shows Used Space, Yet Files Are Missing
Many times individuals make Mirror copies of their system data. Mirror image, as we know, takes backup of all information including registry entries. This expands a backup file with a greater scope. People would rather save the Clone copy of data on the external hard disk. On the other hand, if this mirror image is faulty, the already recorded data on the external drive suffers damage also. All of the files consequently become inaccessible. Rebooting the system and again plug-in the external hard drive fixes the problem even though the hand solution shows used space and no data there.
Go for the reliable third-party solution if any of the mentioned above fixes have not helped you solve files missing from external drives but nonetheless cause space issues. Here we consequently provided a trustworthy program providing 100% missing file recovery. See more about this by continuing on reading.
Recovering Files from a Hard Drive with Corrupted Mirror Image
Click on Hard Drive Data File Recovery Tool if no above approach finds the missing files filling space on an external hard-drive. The program loads all the hidden or deleted files that show inside by searching the users’ drive. Users may easily view every file on the software panel. One can save the obtained file anywhere they choose as well.
Quickly access the lost or disappeared folders or files from the external hard disk employing the data recovery software as a safe approach. It can restore all types of files in a few clicks no matter whether one is absent. Apart from this, the program supports recovery from other storage media such IDE, SATA, etc.
Bottom Line
At present, external hard drives are utilized for various reasons including data backup, transfer of information, and so on. On multiple technical forums, however, users regularly queried “files missing from external hard drives but still taking up space.” Consequently, in this article, we have compiled all the possible methods to fix external hard drive shows used space but no files issue.
Guest article written by: Hello, I’m Anamika from India! Nice to meet you all. I’m passionate about technology and specialize in writing about data recovery solutions. Currently, I’m part of BLR Tools, where we provide advanced software for recovering lost data efficiently. I love exploring new tech trends and sharing insights that can help users navigate their data recovery challenges. Looking forward to connecting with you!