How to Recover Files from a Formatted Hard Drive (2024)

How do I recover a formatted hard drive?

1. Download and install the Data Recovery Wizard tool.
2. Launch the Data Recovery Wizard and scan your hard drive.
3. Select the lost files and preview them.
4. Click 'Restore' and specify a suitable recovery location.
5. Learn more...

Why format a hard drive?

There are several reasons to format a disk. When formatting, the operating system deletes all recorded information from the disk, checks it to ensure that all sectors are reliable and marks the bad ones, and then creates an internal table of addresses for later location of information. In short, a disk should be formatted before use.

And that's useful in many cases:

• If you're selling or giving away your computer, you should format the hard drive to ensure that all personal data is removed.
• If you're upgrading to a new hard drive, you can format the old one and use it for additional storage.
• If you're upgrading to a new system, you'll need to format the hard drive to make it compatible with the new computer system or device.
• If your hard drive is having issues, formatting may resolve the problem.

Of course, formatting the hard drive will erase all the data on it, so make sure to back up anything important before proceeding.

Can a formatted hard drive be recovered?

Can a formatted hard drive be recovered? The short answer is yes – with the help of a professional formatted hard drive recovery software, data can be retrieved from a formatted hard drive. Formatting a hard drive deletes all existing files and other data on the disk, but it doesn't completely overwrite or remove that information. Instead, it merely reorganizes the location of this data and makes it accessible to most data recovery tools.

The success rate of data recovery after formatting a hard drive can be influenced by several factors, including:

Ultimately, whether data can be recovered after formatting depends on many different factors. If you have lost important information due to a formatted hard drive, it's best to use a data recovery tool or consult with a data recovery specialist for advice tailored to your specific situation.

How to Recover Data from a Formatted Hard Drive Using Data Recovery Software 1. **Choose a Reliable Data Recovery Software:** First, download and install a reputable data recovery tool like Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. Make sure the software is compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 2. **Download and Install:** Visit the software's official website to download the version suitable for your system. Follow the installation wizard's instructions to complete the setup. 3. **Launch the Software:** After installation, run the data recovery software. Most tools have user-friendly interfaces that guide you through the process. 4. **Select the Hard Drive:** In the software's main window, you'll see a list of available hard drives on your computer. Find and select the formatted hard drive. 5. **Scan the Drive:** Click the "Scan" or "Start" button, and the software will initiate a deep scan of the selected drive, searching for recoverable files. This may take some time, especially for large drives. 6. **Preview and Select Files:** Once the scan is complete, the software will display all found files. You can preview certain file types like images and documents to verify their recoverability. 7. **Restore the Files:** Choose the files you want to recover, then click "Recover" or "Save." The software will save these files to a location you specify, ideally a different hard drive or external storage device to avoid overwriting original data. 8. **Backup Important Data:** After recovery, remember to back up all crucial data to prevent future accidental formatting or data loss. 9. **Note:** Data recovery isn't always 100% successful, especially if the hard drive has physical damage or the data has been overwritten. Early recovery attempts generally increase the chances of success. Keep in mind that while these software tools can help restore most files, avoiding formatting the hard drive is the best strategy for data protection. Regularly backing up your data is key to preventing loss.

Many users format their hard drives without backing up data, hence the need to know how to recover a formatted hard drive without a backup. The Data Recovery Wizard tool can help recover data from a formatted hard drive on both Windows and Mac computers.

It also excels in other data recovery scenarios, such as recovering formatted SD cards, restoring files from the recycle bin, and retrieving deleted files on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and other operating systems.

With continuous development in data recovery research, data recovery software has assisted global users for over a decade in dealing with issues of deleted, formatted, and inaccessible data retrieval. Renowned for its user-friendliness, deep scanning speed, high success rate of data recovery, and swift customer support, it is considered a top-tier data recovery tool.

To perform formatted data recovery using the Data Recovery Wizard, follow this three-step guide:

Steps to recover formatted hard drive in Windows 11/10/8/7:

Note: To ensure a higher chance of success in data recovery, install the data recovery tool on a different disk from the formatted one.

Step 1: Run tools Data Recovery Wizard, select the formatted hard drive partition and click "Scan".

Step 2: The hard drive formatting recovery software will start scanning all the lost data and files. After the scan, you can click on “Filter” to filter out files of specific types and quickly locate the file you need. Alternatively, click on “Search File or Folder” to select the data you want to recover.

Step 3: Preview the scanned files, and select the ones you want to recover. Click “Recover,” and choose a new location to save these files. Then click “OK.”

Share this powerful data recovery software with your friends to help them easily retrieve files from formatted hard drives.

Steps to Perform Mac Hard Drive Recovery after Formatting:

Here are the simple steps to recover formatted hard drive on Mac ..., ...

Step one: Search for the lost files.

Select the disk location where you want to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external hard drive). Click on the “Search for lost files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your HDD/SSD to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can restore data from the disk backup, and then you can reuse your HDD or SSD.

Step 2: Browse the scan results

The software will immediately scan the disk volume you select and display images, documents, audio, video, and email on the left.

Step 3: Select the files and recover them

Click on “Preview” to check the files, then hit the “Restore” button to get them back.

How to Recover Data from a Formatted Hard Drive Using Data Recovery Services When your hard drive is formatted, it seems like all your data vanishes instantly. However, this doesn't mean it's irretrievable. With professional data recovery services, you can recover most or even all of your lost data. Here are some steps to help you initiate the process: 1. **Cease Using the Hard Drive**: As soon as you realize the hard drive has been formatted, stop using it immediately. Continuing to write new data could overwrite deleted files, making recovery more challenging. 2. **Select a Data Recovery Service**: Look for an experienced and well-reviewed data recovery service provider. Ensure they have expertise and the necessary equipment to handle various hard drive issues. 3. **Consult with a Professional**: Contact the service provider and describe your situation in detail. They might need information about the hard drive's brand, model, formatting type (quick or full), and a general idea of the lost data. 4. **Get a Quote**: Data recovery services typically provide an initial estimate, which may be based on the drive's capacity, extent of damage, and the amount of work required. Understand the costs and ensure it fits within your budget. 5. **Ship the Hard Drive**: Package the hard drive securely as per the service provider's instructions and send it or deliver it in person to their laboratory. 6. **Data Scanning and Analysis**: The professional team will perform an extensive scan and analysis of the hard drive to locate recoverable files. This process can take hours to days, depending on the drive's condition. 7. **Preview and Confirm Recovery**: Before data recovery, the service provider usually lets you preview the recoverable files. Confirm that the files you need are included, then authorize the recovery process. 8. **Data Recovery and Delivery**: Once the recovery is complete, the data will be saved onto a new medium, such as an external hard drive, and returned to you. Make sure to back up these important files to prevent future loss. 9. **Data Security**: Ensure your chosen service provider maintains confidentiality and adheres to strict security protocols. Avoid unlicensed services to prevent potential data breaches. 10. **Preventive Measures**: Learn from this experience and regularly back up crucial data to avoid similar situations in the future. Remember that while data recovery services can salvage most scenarios, not all data can be recovered at 100%. Prevention is always better than cure.

If a formatting recovery tool fails to retrieve files from your formatted hard drive, don't panic! There are data recovery services that can assist you in recovering an unformatted partition. You can also consult data recovery experts who can use specialized tools to get the job done. With professional help, you can restore your data and get back on track.

Tool Data Recovery Service

Contact our experts for a free evaluation now.

Consult with our Tool Data Recovery specialists for personalized manual recovery services. After a free diagnosis, we offer the following services:

• Repair damaged RAID configurations, unbootable Windows OS, and corrupted virtual disk files (e.g., .vmdk, .vhd, .vhdx)
• Recover/repair lost partitions and reformatted drives
• Unformat hard drives and fix RAW drives (including BitLocker encrypted drives)
• Rectify disks turned into GPT protected partitions

How to Format a Hard Drive

The first step in formatting a hard drive is to open your computer's settings and access the disk management tool. This will allow you to view all of the drives connected to your computer, including any internal or external storage devices. Depending on your operating system, you may have several different disk and partition management tools available to you.

Once you've found the drive you want to format, select it and choose a file system. Most modern systems support several formats, such as FAT32 or NTFS. It's important to pick a format that's compatible with your existing computer system, as well as any new devices you might connect in the future. Microsoft offers a full guide to creating and formatting a hard disk partition, which you can consult if needed.

The basic steps to format a hard drive, flash drive, or other type of storage medium are usually the same: connect the disk to your computer, open the formatting software of choice, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

There are several different ways to recover files from a formatted hard drive. If you have a backup, you can restore your files from that. If not, you can attempt to recover your files using the best hard drive data recovery software – Data Recovery Wizard.

Data Recovery Wizard is a powerful and effective tool for retrieving lost data, but it must be used under certain conditions. The sooner you attempt data recovery, the greater the likelihood of restoring what was lost. How can you ensure 100% data protection compared to other recovery methods? Clearly, regularly backing up your hard drive is the most reliable method.

Backing up data can be as simple as copying and pasting. But for large hard disk backups, the process needs to be automatic and intelligent. Choose a free backup software to create a disk backup – it's easy, fast, and convenient. With real-time backup, you can restore your data the moment it's lost. Most importantly, you can ensure a 100% success rate for data recovery from backups. Develop good backup habits and back up important work documents, photos, videos, and music for a risk-free digital life.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Recovering Files from a Formatted Hard Drive

Here are more guides on how to recover data from a formatted hard drive. If you have any of these problems, read on, you may find the answer to your problem.

How to recover formatted hard drive on Mac?

How to Recover a Formatted Hard Drive on a Mac:

Step 1. Select the disk location from where you lost your data and files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device). Then, click on the "Scan" button to initiate formatted file recovery.

Step 2: Disk Drill for Mac will immediately scan the partition you chose and display the scanning results in the left pane.

Step 3. Select the files(s) you want to recover from the scan results and click on the “Recover Now” button to get them back.

How to recover folders from a formatted hard drive?

If you accidentally formatted a hard drive containing important data, you can use a data recovery software tool to retrieve folders from the formatted hard drive.

Step 1: Launch Disk Drill. Under “Select a location,” choose “Select a folder.” Browse to the location of your lost folder, then click “Review found items” to start the scan.

Step 2: You can search for the target folder, or use the filter feature to find a certain type of file within the folder.

Step 3: Preview the recovered folder, and then click “Recover” to save the retrieved data to a new secure location on your computer.

How do I recover a formatted external hard drive?

We recommend you try using a hard drive recovery software to restore the formatted external hard drive.

Step one: Connect the external hard drive to your computer.

Step 2: Run the Data Recovery Wizard and scan the external hard drive.

Step 3: Preview the recoverable files from the scanning results and filter out unwanted ones.

Step 4: Click “Recover” and choose a secure location to save the recovered files.

4. Can Files Be Recovered from a Formatted SD Card?

Recovering data from a formatted SD card is just as direct as recovering data from a formatted internal hard drive. All you need to do is open your data recovery software of choice and select the SD card to scan. From there, you can recover files from formatted SD card.

How to recover data from a formatted hard drive with backup?

On macOS:

If you backed up your Mac files with Time Machine, you can restore them from the reformatted drive by following these steps:

Step 1: Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your Mac.

Step 2: Open a Finder window in the folder that contained the missing file.

Step 3: Open Time Machine and find the file you want to restore.

Step 4: Press the space bar to preview the file.

5. Then, tap “Restore” to restore the item.

On Windows:

Windows has different backup and restore features. Here, we'll show you how to use File History to recover files from a formatted hard drive in Windows 10:

Step 1: Click in the search box, type File History, and click Restore your files with File History from the search results.

Step 2: The File History window will open, showing all backed-up files and folders. You can preview the files to find the correct version you want to restore.

Step 3: Select the file you want to restore, then click the green arrow to restore the file.

4. When restoring files, if there is a name conflict, you can choose to "Replace the target file", "Skip this file", or "Compare file information" as needed.

How can I use CMD to recover a formatted hard drive?

You can use the Windows File Recovery tool to restore data from a formatted hard drive via the command line.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store, search for and install the Windows File Recovery tool.

Step 2: Launch the Windows File Recovery tool and start the process of restoring deleted files using the following syntax.

The basic syntax is winfr source-drive: target-drive: [/switches].

For example: `winfr C: D: /n \Users\Documents\test.docx`

Step 3: Then, you can recover data from the formatted hard drive by following the on-screen instructions.