How to Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive? Quick Methods

Summary: This article summarizes the two best and easiest methods to recover data from formatted hard drive. The full article details the reasons that force users to restore formatted hard drives. If you are looking for the same, this blog is worth reading.

The hard disk is the main storage device on the computer, and it can be used for saving all kinds of data, such as system files, video, music, images, documents, applications, photos, emails, and other necessary data. The hard disk comes in various types like SATA, SCSI, and PATA, etc. A hard disk should be formatted before it can be used to store data and be recognized by the system. Formatting a hard disk generates a new directory structure and file system. Besides, the procedure of partitioning a hard disk and creating a partition also executes formatting on the disk. There are so many cases that may format a hard disk.

Fortunately, most formatting does wipe data off the disk, which means you have the chance to recover files lost due to formatting. So, in this article, we are going to discuss the reliable methods to recover files from formatted hard disk in Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

Sometimes, a user may encounter situations that cause damage to the hard disk. For instance, you are going to enlarge your present hard disk to a larger one, your partition has been damaged by viruses, or you plan to wipe them from your Windows 10, 8, and 7 operating machines.

Read More: How to Recover Deleted Pictures from Computer? 

What is the Purpose of Formatting a Hard Drive?

In fact, there are still many people who do not know what is meant by formatting a hard drive. Imagine if you simply deleted all the data on your hard drive to protect your privacy. In addition, formatting a hard drive has other consequences. Below:

• Change the File System: When formatting a disk through disk management, you can change the file format to FAT32, NTFS or exFAT. But there are some limitations of the Windows tool, such as “Cannot format a drive larger than 32GB to FAT32”, “The drive cannot use exFAT”, etc. In this case, you need to use a professional tool like Partition Wizard.
• Changing the size of the distribution unit: Allocation unit size (also known as cluster size) also affects disk efficiency. If you need to store many small files on your hard drive, it is best to resize the in-memory cluster to save disk space.
• Improve your PC’s performance: Sometimes your computer runs slowly and various crashes occur. Formatting your hard drive will help free up space, clean up unnecessary system files, and speed up your computer.

Reasons for Formatting a Hard Drive

1. Corrupt or incompatible file system: If the file system of the hard drive is corrupted or incompatible, the device will not work and can only be used after formatting to a suitable file system.
2. Sudden power failure: If your computer suddenly dies while reading or writing data to the hard drive, the drive will be disconnected and unusable until updated.
3. Malware: If a suspicious program that contains a virus is installed on the hard drive, the drive will fail and need to be repaired.
4. Malfunctions on your hard drive: If you have malfunctions on your hard drive, formatting the drive can make it unusable, so you can’t write data to the bad functions. This can help fix some app crashes caused by malicious programs.

Is it Possible to Recover Data from Formatted Hard Drive?

The answer is yes. retrieving deleted files from a hard drive in Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 is possible. There is only one way to get your wiped data back, i.e., backup. If you have a backup of your data, you can recover it after formatting the hard disk. This is the only solution; otherwise, there is no manual technique to recover files from formatted hard disk.

Way 1: Recover Files from Formatted Hard Disk Windows File History

Windows File History regularly backs up the smallest changes to your files. It also allows you to edit personal information later. If you backed up data on your hard drive using Windows Data History, follow these steps to restore it:

1: Open Settings on your computer.

2: Go to the Update & Security section and click Backup in the left menu.

3: In the backup with the remaining history file, click the More option.

4: Click the Restore data from a current backup option in the pop-up window.

5: In the backup history window, select the files you want to restore from the formatted hard drive.
6: Then click the green “Restore” button. Also, right-click the “Restore” button and select “Restore to…” to set a new location to restore your data.

Way 2: Retrieve Files from a Formatted Hard Drive Using Windows Explorer

Follow the steps below to format your hard drive without data loss:

Before formatting, make a copy of the hard drive.

1. Open File Explorer on Windows.

2. Find the hard drive you want to format in the menu on the left. Right-click on it and select Format.

3. A pop-up window will open where you can set the selected file. Check or examine the box next to “Quick Format” and click “Start.”.

4. It will be in Quick Format on the hard disk. When this is done, the hard drive will be removed and ready to store new data. If you forget to backup your data, there is still a good chance you can recover your data after a quick format.

Way 3: Recover Data from Formatted Hard Disk with Alternative Solution

It is a professional solution to recover files from a formatted hard drive. It is a perfect application, such as EmailDoctor Software. This recovery utility is a complete solution to recover deleted files from external hard drives. This application has an understandable user interface, so a novice user can also perform with it without seeking expert help.

This utility is capable enough to recover files from a hard drive that won’t boot Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. It is equipped with advanced technology and facilitates amazing features. Some of them are outlined below. Have a look:

Summing Up

Formatting is often the quickest and best way to solve many file problems. However, the formatting process erases the entire hard disk. If you know how to recover data from formatted hard drive, you can not only solve the problems with your data system, but also recover the data lost during the process. In this article, we have told you everything you need to know about hard drive recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions