How can I recover data deleted after formatting?
Contrary to popular belief, it is perfectly possible to recover data deleted after formatting your storage device. Restoring formatted files from a hard disk or partition nevertheless requires a few precautions and an understanding of the formatting principle.
What is hard disk formatting?
Hard disk formatting, whether due to failure, human error or a deliberate operation (disk partitioning, system reinstallation), is reputed to delete data. But is this really true?
1 – What is hard disk formatting?
A formatting operation involves preparing a data medium for use by an operating system. To this end, it writes a file system and its corresponding allocation table (or index), so that the operating system can find the data on the medium.
2 – Does formatting delete data?
Formatting deletes the old allocation table and replaces it with the new one, but does not delete the data present on the storage medium. However, this data appears to have been erased, as the operating system can no longer access it since the old index was deleted.
How can I recover formatted data (files, photos, etc.)?
Recovering formatted data requires the right reflexes:
- Back up your data before formatting a hard disk or any other storage medium. A regular backup of your data will also anticipate any formatting caused by a breakdown, virus or handling error.
- Stop using the formatted storage medium and do not perform any software operations (analysis…), so that old data are not permanently overwritten by operating system write operations.
- Remove the formatted storage device to prevent the operating system from performing unintentional write operations.
- Avoid using data recovery software (especially freeware) without first checking its reliability: in the case of data deleted by formatting, a software operation could result in their permanent loss.
- If you’re not sure what to do, or where the problem lies, don’t hesitate to contact a specialist laboratory for advice, or to entrust them with the task of recovering formatted data.
