How to recover files from formatted hard drive?

Accidentally formatting a hard drive can be a stressful experience, especially if it contained valuable data. Fortunately, in many cases, it’s possible to recover files from a formatted hard drive — as long as you act quickly and avoid overwriting the data. This guide will walk you through the steps and tools needed to recover your lost files effectively.

Understanding What Happens When You Format a Drive

When a hard drive is formatted, the file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT) is rewritten, and the pointers to your data are removed. However, the actual files usually remain on the disk until they’re overwritten by new data. This means recovery is often possible, especially with quick or accidental formats.

There are two types of formatting:

Quick Format: Erases the file allocation table but leaves the data intact. Easiest to recover from.

Full Format: Overwrites sectors and scans for bad sectors. Recovery is harder, but still possible with the right tools.

Steps to Recover Files from a Formatted Hard Drive

1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately

Once you realize the drive has been formatted, stop using it. Don’t install software, save files, or perform any operations on the drive — this prevents overwriting the data you want to recover.

2. Choose the Right Recovery Software

Several trusted recovery tools can scan formatted drives and restore lost files:

Recuva (Windows) – Free and user-friendly for quick recoveries

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Paid with a free trial; handles deep scans

Disk Drill (Windows/Mac) – Powerful recovery with preview capabilities

PhotoRec/TestDisk (Windows/Mac/Linux) – Open-source and highly effective, though less user-friendly

Stellar Data Recovery – Excellent at locating formatted data and restoring folder structure

3. Install Recovery Software on a Separate Drive

To avoid overwriting the data, install the recovery software on a different drive (e.g., your system drive or an external USB stick). Never install it on the same formatted drive you're trying to recover from.

4. Scan the Formatted Drive

Open the recovery software and:

Select the formatted drive

Choose a deep scan or formatted drive recovery option

Allow the scan to complete (this may take hours, depending on drive size)

The software will identify recoverable files, often categorized by type (photos, documents, videos, etc.).

5. Preview and Recover Your Files

After the scan, preview your files if the tool allows it. Then:

Select the files you want to recover

Save them to a different drive or partition to avoid overwriting remaining data

Tips for Successful Recovery

The sooner you start the recovery process, the better your chances.

Don’t attempt recovery on a failing drive without creating a disk image first.

For critically important data, consider using a professional data recovery service.

When to Seek Professional Help

If:

The drive has been physically damaged

A full format was done and DIY recovery tools aren’t finding data

You’ve accidentally overwritten important files

…it's best to stop all recovery attempts and contact a reputable data recovery lab. Services like DriveSavers, Ontrack, or Secure Data Recovery specialize in complex cases.

Conclusion

Recovering files from a formatted hard drive is very possible, especially if you act quickly and use the right tools. By avoiding further writes to the drive and using reliable recovery software, you can often retrieve lost photos, documents, and other files. When in doubt, don’t risk permanent loss — call in a professional.