If you have accidentally formatted a hard drive, the data is not immediately gone. The formatting process only deletes the file table, which is the “list” of files on the drive, not the files themselves. The most critical step is to stop using the hard drive immediately to prevent new data from overwriting your original files, which would make them unrecoverable.
If you have accidentally formatted a drive with important files, bring it to Square Dimension. We offer a free diagnostic to assess the damage and provide you with a safe and reliable path to data recovery
The Most Important First Step: Stop Using the Drive
When a drive is formatted, the computer simply marks the storage space as available. The old data remains on the drive until new data is written over it. Any action, such as saving a new file, downloading a program, or browsing the internet, can permanently overwrite the lost data.
To maximise your chances of a successful recovery, eject the hard drive or immediately turn off the computer. Do not attempt to save any new files to the drive.
Your Options for Recovery
There are two main options for recovering data from a formatted hard drive.
- Option 1: Data Recovery Software (High Risk): There is data recovery software available that can scan a formatted drive for recoverable data. However, using this software can be risky. If the drive is unstable or has other underlying issues, running a scan can corrupt the data further, making it impossible to recover.
- Option 2: Professional Data Recovery (Recommended): For the best chance of a full recovery, a professional data recovery service is the safest choice. Experts have specialised tools and software that can access the raw data on the drive without the risk of causing further damage. They can recover data even from drives that have suffered from more extensive damage.
For professional assistance with mobile phones, computers, and data recovery, visit Mobile Phones Repair & Data Recovery by Square Dimension.