There are just a handful of reasons why someone would lose their HWP files, it could be an accidental deletion, formatting error, virus or malware attacks, or storage device failure but end of the day all that matters is the lost hwp file.
Stop using the device immediately after you notice the file loss to prevent overwriting. Read the upcoming sections in this article to explore simple yet effective solutions that can restore your hwp files.
Part 1: Retrieve Deleted HWP Files
1: Check Recycle bin /Trash
In case of accidental deletion, press Ctrl + Z or check the device’s Recycle Bin/Trash. Locate the HWP file, right-click on it, and choose ‘Restore‘ to recover the deleted file.
2: Backup
If the file was shift-deleted or the Hancom file is missing from the Recycle Bin, look for a file backup (if you have one) or check for previous versions on your device.
3: Recover Files using Data Recovery Software
If the above solutions don’t work, try data recovery software. Free options like PhotoRec and Recuva can help recover HWP files, but they might be difficult to use or have limitations.
To ensure a more reliable recovery of your documents, we recommend trying Remo Recover for retrieving .hwp files as it is simple to use and more effective in handling large files and different filesystems and storage devices.
- Download and install Remo Recover Software on your device.
- Select the drive that had the deleted hwp files and click on Scan.

- The software will start a Quick Scan followed by a thorough Deep Scan.
- Once Quickscan is done, click on the Dynamic Recovery View Option to view all the files recovered so far.

- Double-click to preview any file and click on the Recover Button to save it in your preferred location.
- Choose a destination location and click on OK to restore hwp file.
4: Data Recovery Services to Recover HWP Files from Physically Damaged Devices
If you’ve lost HWP files on a physically damaged device, DIY solutions won’t work. You’ll need to take it to a reputable data recovery service.
Since these services can be expensive, make sure to review their recovery costs and terms and conditions before choosing one.
To avoid such situations in the future read the upcoming section to learn ways to avoid losing hwp files in the future.
Part 2: Preventing Future Loss of HWP Files
- Regular Backups: Take a backup of the important hwp files on any external device or cloud storage.
- Double-check: When deleting unwanted files ensure you do not delete important files, cross-check before you delete files from your device.
- Install Reliable Antivirus Software: Install and use updated antivirus software to protect against malware that can corrupt or delete files.
- Avoid Sudden Shutdowns: Do not shut down or close your device abruptly to prevent file corruption.
Conclusion
Since HWP is not widely used outside South Korea, your options for recognizing and recovering these files may be limited. Therefore, we recommend using the most effective recovery methods available you can try the solutions in this article to successfully retrieve your HWP documents and follow the tips to avoid losing hwp files again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you have set up Windows Backup, you can restore deleted files by accessing the backup through the “File History” or “Backup and Restore” features.
The recovery depends on whether the space where the file was stored has been overwritten. Try using effective data recovery software
Yes, but the process may be more complex. if the hard drive is physically damaged specialized data recovery services might be needed.
