Yes, data recovery for deleted crypto wallet files is often possible. Success hinges on the type of storage drive you have and the actions you take immediately after deletion.
On a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), deleted data is highly recoverable. On a modern solid-state drive (SSD), a process called TRIM makes recovery extremely difficult and time-sensitive, but a small window of opportunity may exist with professional intervention.
Below, we’ll explain the critical differences between how HDDs and SSDs handle file deletion. If you’ve lost access to a crypto wallet, we’re here to help. Datarecovery.com provides risk-free evaluations, and all of our crypto recovery services feature a no data, no charge guarantee.
To open a ticket, submit a case online or call 1-800-237-4200 to speak with an expert.
How File Deletion Works: HDD vs. SSD
The possibility of recovering a deleted wallet file comes down to the fundamental design differences between hard disk drives and solid-state drives.
Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
An HDD stores data magnetically on spinning platters. When you delete a file on an HDD, the operating system doesn’t erase the data. Instead, it simply removes the file’s entry from the file system’s index and marks the space the file occupied as “available” for new data. The actual magnetic data of your wallet file remains intact on the platter until another file is saved over that exact location.
This process is why data recovery from HDDs is relatively reliable. As long as the sectors containing the wallet file have not been overwritten, our engineers can scan the drive’s platters and reconstruct the file. That’s even true if the hard drive has been physically damaged by a fire or flood.
Solid-State Drives (SSDs) and the TRIM Command
SSDs store data electronically on flash memory chips. To maintain performance, modern SSDs use a command called TRIM. When a file is deleted, the operating system sends a TRIM command to the SSD, marking the data blocks as no longer in use. A background process called garbage collection then permanently erases the data from those blocks.
While this process makes recovery much harder than on an HDD, the erasure is not always instantaneous. There can be a delay between when the TRIM command is issued and when the garbage collection process actually erases the data.
There’s a narrow window of opportunity for recovery — how narrow depends on the specific SSD controller, its firmware, and how the drive is being used. Once garbage collection runs, the data is permanently gone. Learn more about the SSD TRIM command.
I Deleted My Wallet File. What Should I Do Now?
If you have accidentally deleted a crypto wallet file, your immediate actions are the most critical factor in whether a recovery is possible.
Stop using the drive immediately. Power down the computer (or disconnect the external drive). In fact, if the value of the crypto exceeds the value of the rest of the data on the drive, don’t worry about going through a normal shutdown process — unplug the machine from the wall.
Every moment a drive is powered on, the operating system writes temporary files, logs, and performs other background tasks. Any of these actions can overwrite the physical space where your deleted wallet file resides, making recovery impossible.
Note: Do not attempt to check if TRIM is enabled, install recovery software, or even continue browsing the internet. The act of running any command or program writes new data to the drive and could be the action that permanently destroys your wallet file.
When Is Professional Data Recovery Necessary?
While DIY recovery software exists, attempting to recover a high-value crypto wallet on your own is extremely risky. Generally, the first attempt has the highest chances of success — and a failed software recovery attempt can cause further data loss and make a professional recovery impossible.
We recommend professional services:
- If the wallet was on an SSD. Because of the TRIM command, standard software cannot recover the data. Our engineers use advanced, proprietary techniques to interface directly with the SSD’s memory chips, which is the only method that has a chance of recovering data from a TRIM-enabled drive before the garbage collection process completes it.
- If the wallet was on an HDD. Even on a hard drive, continued use after deletion can overwrite the file. The safest way to ensure the file is not overwritten is to have a professional create a complete clone of the drive in a controlled lab environment before attempting recovery. If you insist on attempting recovery on your own, follow our guide for cloning the drive before using software.
- If the storage device has failed. If your hard drive is clicking or your computer no longer recognizes the drive, you are dealing with a physical failure. Do not continue to power on the device. Our labs are equipped with certified cleanrooms and proprietary tools to safely repair damaged drives without causing further harm.
It’s important to note that if you have your crypto seed phrase, you can recreate the wallet even if you’ve deleted the wallet file. That phrase is a set of English words (usually 12 or 24) that you wrote down when you created your wallet. We’ve got a general guide to that process here: How to Recover a Lost Cryptocurrency Wallet.
Restore Access to Lost or Deleted Crypto
Recovering a deleted crypto wallet is a time-sensitive process where the type of storage drive is the deciding factor. Recovery from an HDD is highly probable if you stop using the drive immediately. For an SSD, the TRIM command makes recovery extremely difficult, and professional intervention is the only viable option.
If you have lost access to a cryptocurrency wallet, contact Datarecovery.com at 1-800-237-4200 or submit a case online for a confidential, risk-free evaluation. Our engineers have decades of experience recovering critical data from all types of media, and we support our services with a “no data, no charge” guarantee.
