Stop using the drive
If files are missing, folders are corrupt, or the drive asks to format, continued usage can overwrite recoverable data. Stop saving new files to that drive.
Do not run random repair tools
Incorrect repair utilities can change file system structures and reduce recovery chances. Recovery-first diagnosis is safer than experimenting.
Understand the drive condition
A clicking HDD, undetected SSD, or drive with bad sectors needs different handling than simple accidental deletion.