My WD Passport - Lost Files. Can you help?

Yes, I can help you recover **lost files from your WD My Passport**. Here’s a clear, step-by-step plan depending on your situation:

---

### 🧭 Step 1: Identify What Happened

Please confirm if any of these applies:

* ❌ You **accidentally deleted files**

* 🧹 You **formatted the drive**

* 💣 Drive became **RAW**, unreadable, or corrupted

* 📁 Folders appear **empty or missing**, even though space is used

* 🔐 WD **password encryption** was used and now you can't access it

Let me guide you based on the most common cases below.

---

### 🛠️ Recovery Steps (for most scenarios)

#### ✅ Option 1: **Use Free Recovery Software**

Here are trusted tools that can scan and recover files:

| Tool | Description | Link |

| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |

| **Recuva** | Lightweight, best for simple deletions | [Recuva Free](https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva) |

| **PhotoRec/TestDisk** | Works on formatted/RAW drives, open source | [PhotoRec](https://www.cgsecurity.org/) |

| **EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard** | User-friendly, deep scan feature | [EaseUS](https://www.easeus.com/datarecoverywizard/) |

| **R-Studio** | For professional-level recovery | [R-Studio](https://www.r-studio.com/) |

👉 Install recovery software **on a different drive** (not on the WD Passport) to avoid overwriting lost data.

---

#### 📥 Steps to Follow (Example with Recuva):

1. Connect your WD Passport

2. Launch Recuva

3. Select file type (or choose "All Files")

4. Select the drive (e.g., E:\ or F:)

5. Enable **"Deep Scan"** if needed

6. Preview and **recover to another location**

---

### 🔐 If Drive Was Encrypted with WD Security

* Open **WD Discovery** or **WD Security** software

* Enter your password to unlock the drive

* Only after unlocking can you attempt recovery

* If password is lost: **Data is unrecoverable** due to AES encryption

---

### 🧪 If Drive Is Not Detected or Corrupted

* Use **Disk Management** (Windows + X > Disk Management)

* If it shows as:

* **RAW** – try PhotoRec or EaseUS

* **Unallocated** – recovery still possible

* **No Drive Letter** – right-click > "Assign Drive Letter"

You can also run `chkdsk X: /f` (replace X with your drive letter) to fix basic file system errors.

---

### 🛑 Don’t:

* Format the drive again

* Write new files to it

* Install recovery tools onto the Passport itself

---

Would you like a step-by-step walkthrough using [Recuva](f), [PhotoRec](f), or another tool? Let me know what your exact situation is (e.g. deleted files, formatted drive, RAW filesystem).