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Written By: Ontrack
Date Published: Mar 17, 2025 3:52:22 AM
You should then install data recovery software on another workstation and connect the hard disk (in slave mode), memory card, or flash drive to it. From there, you can begin an in-depth analysis of the media using the recovery software.
Sometimes you might accidentally format your computer, digital tablet, USB stick, memory card, external hard drive, or camera without making a backup of your important files.
Although this is very concerning, it doesn't always mean permanent data loss, as software is available to help recover your valuable files.
In most cases, formatting works by deleting the allocation table (essentially the content directory) that allows the system to locate files or folders on a storage medium. The data remains present but can no longer be accessed because it becomes invisible. Files are only truly deleted when new data is written to that space.
Data recovery involves physically reading the hard disk or flash memory and copying the content to a new medium. Some formatting methods perform random write operations, often for security reasons. In these cases, recovering data after formatting becomes more complicated. With SSDs, the TRIM command can interfere with recovery by releasing storage cells for the next write operation.
When you realize that formatting was accidental or premature, immediately disconnect the relevant storage device to prevent unintended write operations, especially if it's a system partition.
Install recovery software on a separate workstation and connect the hard disk, memory card, or flash drive. The first phase involves conducting a thorough analysis of the media to find all files and assess their integrity.
Next, determine the file system for the storage unit that will contain the recovered data, which varies depending on the platform (Fat32 or NTFS for Windows, Ext3/4 for Linux, HFS for Mac OS X). When in doubt, choose Fat32, which has the advantage of wide compatibility, though it doesn't support files larger than 4 gigabytes, such as high-definition movies.
Free software options include Ontrack Easy Recovery, TestDisk and PhotoRec for recovering data lost after formatting. They clearly show the integrity status of files available for recovery. Also, the free version of Ontrack EasyRecovery will allow users to recovery up to 1GB of data for free.
This solution has the advantage of being open source, allowing security-conscious users to check the code. For novices, TestDisk may be challenging as it operates only from the command prompt. PhotoRec, however, is specifically designed for photo recovery.
The paid version of Ontrack EasyRecovery offers significantly enhanced capabilities, enabling users to perform unlimited data recovery. Its main advantages include an intuitive interface and an automated wizard. Ontrack EasyRecovery also includes a tool that prevents recovered files from being written to the disk being restored. The professional and enterprise versions support hard disks mounted in RAID 0 (striping) or RAID 1 (mirrored). Another significant advantage of this software is its proactive hard disk protection system.
With any recovery operation after formatting, the most important thing is having the right tool for your knowledge level. Furthermore, don't rush and risk overwriting the data you're trying to recover. Don't forget to back up your most important files afterward.
How to Restore Photos After Formatting
If you had to format your PC or hard disk for some reason and lost your entire life story in photos, you should know that a hard disk always stores traces of data written to it. It's quite possible to restore photos after formatting.
Here are the steps to do this:
This approach only works on functioning media. If your hard disk is damaged and not recognized by the computer, recovery is more complicated, but you still have a chance to recover your precious photos by sending your hard disk to a data recovery lab.
Can you recover data from a formatted hard disk?
Various situations can lead to data loss on a hard disk, including human errors. If you accidentally or intentionally formatted your device without creating a backup, data loss isn't inevitable. It's possible to recover data from a formatted hard disk.
You can recover your files even after formatting because the operating system doesn't immediately delete all files. These files are no longer accessible because they're not visible on the hard disk. The deletion only becomes effective when new data is written or when the operating system needs to free up space for recently deleted files.
How to restore files after formatting?
To recover data from your hard disk after formatting, take certain precautions. To prevent the operating system from permanently deleting your files, avoid saving other data on the device you plan to recover.
If you notice that a format was too quick or accidental, disconnect the storage unit to prevent accidental write operations. Get suitable data recovery software, install it on a workstation, and connect the hard disk. Before recovering data from a formatted hard disk, check the file system of the storage device intended to store the recovered data.
How can you recover data from a formatted external hard drive?
To start recovering files after formatting an external hard drive, begin by choosing the right software. You can opt for free software such as Ontrack EasyRecovery, PhotoRec or TestDisk, or paid solutions like Ontrack EasyRecovery.
To restore files from a formatted hard disk, connect your device to a computer and launch the software. It will analyze your media to search for deleted files. Once complete, the software will display a tree of recoverable files. Select the files you need and save them to a safe location.
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