Many users tend to be very careless when handling their files. That is why they eventually encounter a situation where they need to format their hard drives. Only then will you know just how careless you were.
Unfortunately, there are lots of issues that can only be solved by formatting. The worst part about it is that you will lose your files in the process. This article will teach you how to recover files after formatso you can do it without worrying too much. Let’s start by discussing the reasons for formatting a drive.
Part 1: Why Do You Need to Format Drive?Part 2: Is It Possible to Recover Files After Format?Part 3: 3 Effective Ways to Recover Files After FormatPart 4: Conclusion
Part 1: Why Do You Need to Format Drive?
As I have said before, there are many reasons why you might want or need, to format your hard drive. Of course, since you want to know how to recover files after format, I’m assuming that you were forced to format the drive.
If I’m correct, then your scenario is either one of the following scenarios:
- Accidental Error. Not exactly the most common case, people tend to make the mistake of formatting their drives without knowing what it does. This is perhaps the most absurd blunder you can make with your drive.
- Frequent Crashing. Some users can’t stand to see their drives crash very often. That is why they are forced to format their drives, hoping it would help fix the issue, which it does, but you lose your files in exchange.
- Sudden Power Outage. When your computer suddenly shuts down while your hard drive is connected, this will lead to major issues. One of them is an error message forcing you to format the drive, or else you won’t be able to use it ever again.
- Corrupted Files. There are files that can contain a virus that will affect the whole system. When this corruption spreads, it will eventually result in your drive malfunctioning.
- Firmware Errors. A scenario that you can’t avoid is when your hard drive has finally given up. No matter how you care for it, this will eventually happen, so you can only hope for the best.
Part 2: Is It Possible to Recover Files After Format?
Now for the million-dollar question, can you really recover files after format gave the scenarios that were mentioned?
Lucky for you, it actually is still possible to get back your precious files even after getting lost from formatting. The chance of success, however, depends on whether you can fulfill the one and only condition.
You see, when a drive is formatted, the bits of information are simply emptied out. But the files that were there before are still left intact, that is if you don’t replace it with new data.
As such, I extremely advise you to not touch your hard drive after formatting. Put simply, the more you add data into the drive, the lower the chances of being able to recover files after format. With that said, let’s proceed to the first of the three ways to recover files after format.
Part 3: 3 Effective Ways to Recover Files After Format
#1 Use Third-Party Recovery Software
My first recommendation is to use third-party recovery software. This is, of course, owing to many reasons.
To begin with, this method is the easiest since you only need to click a button or two to make this work. Plus, you can do it yourself. Lastly, to recover files after formatusing this method, you won’t have to spend money, at least most of the time. Now for the best data recovery software, I suggest FoneDog Data Recovery.
Data Recovery
Recover deleted image, document, audio and more files.
Get deleted data back from computer (including Recycle Bin) and hard drives.
Recover loss data caused by disk accident, operation system crushes and other reasons.
Free Download
Free Download
FoneDog Data Recovery is a tool that allows users to recover files, whatever it is, from hard drives, flash drives, and other storage devices. This is available for both Mac and Windows. Without further ado, these are the steps you need to follow to use this tool:
Step 1: Choose File Type & Drive
Download, install and run the FoneDog Data Recovery software on your PC. Once the software is up, you will be shown a list of file types as well as storage drives. Simply select the file type that you want to recover. You may also click on Check all file types to include all of them. Now select the storage drive, which should be up to you.
Step 2: Scan for Files
Click on the Scan button once you are finished with the configurations. This will start the Quick Scan process. Once it is done, you can continue scanning with Deep Scan for more accurate results.
Step 3: Recover Files
Once the scanning process is finished, you will get a list of items at the right panel. These are files that can be recovered. Simply select the ones you want to recover by clicking on their corresponding boxes. Then, click on the Recover button once you are finished with selections.
Although it can be considered the easiest method out of the three, I can’t say the same when it comes to effectiveness. Since you are only doing it unprofessionally, there is a lower chance of success. For the highest chance to recover files after format, you have to use either one of the next two.
Free Download
Free Download
#2 Data Recovery Firms
A very similar method to using recovery software is when you opt for services from data recovery firms. It is exactly what you think it is. You ask for specialists to recover the data for you. And you guessed right, you will have to pay them to recover files after format.
Since that’s the case, I advise you to look into firms very carefully. Remember that not all services are fair. Here’s a look at some things that you should consider:
- The process to recover files after the format is included in services they offer
- The firm has a workshop for the examination and repair of drives
- You are given an estimate on the costs
- Overnight recovery, if you want the job to be urgent
- Digital delivery of your files, if your home or office is relatively far
- Authorized by several hard drives manufacturers
As you consider these things, you should be able to end up with some of your own thoughts. However, for your sake, I have some recommendations as well.
One of the most popular recovery firms out there. Due to their popularity, they should be very trustworthy. They are experts in their job since they have been doing it for quite a long time, so it should be possible to recover files after format.
The only thing I find unappealing is their outdated equipment. However, as they have more knowledge than most, their skills should compensate for their lack of equipment.
If we’re talking about success rate, Datarecovery.com is among the best, with over 95% chance of success when it comes to recovering and extracting files. They include various services such as RAID recovery, so trying to recover files after formatshould be very much doable.
Due to a high chance of success, you can’t get any insurance in case of a failure. This might be very disappointing for those that want to be assured.
#3 Restore from a Backup
The last method involves restoring your files from a premade back up. Thus, it is not exactly a way to recover files after formatthat you can use right away.
If you want to restore files, you have to get it from somewhere. That’s why this is not suitable for users that formatted their hard drives without preparing beforehand.
However, if you have a backup prepared, then there’s no harm in trying this out. Here’s how to recover files after formatfrom a backup file:
- On your PC, go to Settings.
- Tap on Update & Security >Recovery.
- Now on the Advanced startup tab, click on Restart now.
- On bootup of your PC, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options> System Image Recovery.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to recover files after format.
This will restore your files, but this is only applicable if you created a system image backup, just as I said before. This has the highest chance of success so far, but the condition is not exactly easy to fulfill.
Part 4: Conclusion
No one wants to lose their files over a minor issue. That should apply to every one of us. However, not everything goes according to plan, definitely not when you are careless when handling your hard drive.
If you were forced to format your storage drive, it is understandable why you want to recover files after format. Even though you already know how to, I advise you to be careful next time, so as to prevent this scenario from happening ever again.
Free Download
Free Download
/