Microsoft Surface Pro Data Recovery

The Microsoft Surface is a popular series of touchscreen-based devices. Some models boast a terabyte of data storage — however, if you open up your Surface Pro (we do not recommend doing so), you won’t see anything that looks like a typical solid state drive (SSD).

The Surface Pro uses a non-volatile memory express (NVME) ball grid array (BGA) chip. It’s an integrated storage device, only noticeable if you know exactly what you’re trying to find.

The SSD chip may have “Microsoft Model 1911″ written on it, and it’s a semi-permanent part of the logic board. Once removed, it can be read with a specialized accessory — assuming that it’s in a working condition.

Below, we’ll identify some data loss scenarios for the Microsoft Surface Pro. Datarecovery.com provides risk-free evaluations for all Surface Pro models, and our no data, no charge guarantee gives you peace of mind: If we cannot recover the data you need, you don’t pay for the attempt.

To get started, submit a case online or call us at 1-800-237-4200.

Microsoft Surface Pro: Common Data Loss Scenarios

Like all data storage devices, the Surface Pro’s SSD can sustain physical or electronic damage. We strongly recommend keeping at least two backups of all important files. You can backup your Surface Pro by using the Windows Backup and Restore utility (read Microsoft’s guide for using Backup and Restore).

Common reasons for data loss on the Microsoft Surface series include:

Windows freezes on startup, preventing the user from accessing (or backing up) data.
The Surface cannot charge, and the user cannot access data from another computer via USB-C.
Damage to the screen prevents the user from unlocking the device.
The user accidentally deletes files, or files become infected with viruses, ransomware, or other malicious software.
The device becomes unresponsive after a liquid spill or power surge.

NAND data recovery can pose challenges for engineers, and the Surface’s architecture is unique. However, in most scenarios, the lost data is recoverable.

Can I recover my data from my Microsoft Surface Pro without specialized equipment?

Not really. The architecture of the Microsoft Pro makes data recovery difficult, and we do not recommend attempting recovery on your own.

While it’s possible to solder the chip from the bad motherboard and transport it to a new motherboard, this is costly — you’ll need another working Microsoft Surface Pro (or at least, the logic board), and you’ll need excellent soldering skills.

A failed chip transfer will greatly reduce the likelihood of a successful recovery. If the chip is physically damaged, recovery becomes much more difficult (and potentially impossible, depending on the location and extent of the damage).

A much safer option: Remove the chip and use specialized hardware to read it. The bad news is that this hardware is also quite expensive, and if the data has logical issues (such as file corruption), additional data recovery techniques will need to be used to restore the files to a usable condition.