After Format Data Recovery Software Free Downloads [HDD, SSD, SD Card, USB Drive, etc]

Accidentally Format My Drive, What’s the Best Way to Recover?

Formatting a drive, whether it’s a USB, SD card, or internal/external hard drive, means the file system is restructured to prepare the storage device for use. There are two format types:

• Quick Format: Only deletes the file system table (index), but the actual data still physically exists on the drive until it gets overwritten.
• Full Format: Scans for bad sectors and may overwrite data, making recovery much harder.

In most accidental format cases, Windows uses "Quick Format" by default, which means your data is not immediately erased, just marked as free space. So, as long as you act quickly before writing any new data to the drive, there’s a very high chance of fully recovering your files after formatting.

After Format Data Recovery Software Free Downloads

Given that your formatted data likely still exists on the drive, the next step is to use reliable formatted data recovery software to retrieve it. Fortunately, there are both free and effective options available for Windows users to recover files from formatted hard drive, whether you prefer a command-line utility or a user-friendly interface.

Option 1: Free Download Windows File Recovery (Command-Line Tool by Microsoft)

Windows File Recovery is a free command-line utility provided by Microsoft for Windows 10 and later. It allows users to recover lost files from formatted, deleted, or corrupted drives.

Step 1: Download and Install Windows File Recovery

Open the Microsoft Store on your PC.Search for "Windows File Recovery".Click "Download"to download and install the tool.(Ensure your system is running Windows 10 version 2004 or newer.)

Step 2: Open Command Prompt and Understand Syntax

Press "Win + S", type "cmd", then right-click "Command Prompt"> "Run as administrator". Use the following basic syntax for formatted data recovery: winfr [source drive]: [destination folder] /extensive /n [filetype]

For example: winfr H: D:\test /extensive /n *.txt

★Breakdown of the command:

"H:" is the formatted drive you want to recover from.

"D:\test" is the folder where recovered files will be saved (must be on a different drive).

"/extensive" is the mode used for formatted drives.

"/n" is used to specify file types .

Destination folder must be on a different drive than the formatted one to avoid overwriting data.

Step 3: Start Recovery and View Results

Press "Enter"after inputting the command.The tool will scan the drive and attempt to recover the specified file types. Once complete, navigate to the destination folder (e.g., D:\test) to view recovered files.

This free after format data recovery software requires command-line knowledge, so it is ideal for tech-savvy users familiar with syntax and file paths.

Option 2: Free Download MyRecover (Beginner-Friendly GUI Software)

If you are a beginner and prefer a simpler, more visual approach, MyRecover is a top-rated alternative. Compared with Windows File Recovery command, this free after format data recovery software offers a cleaner interface, deeper scan capability, and supports a wider data recovery scenarios. Best for all users, especially beginners looking for a quick and intuitive recovery solution.

Step 1: Download and Install MyRecover

Go to the official MyRecover website and download the installer.Install it on a different drive (not the one you formatted) to avoid overwriting lost data.

Step 2: Select the Formatted Drive and Start Scanning

Launch MyRecover. You’ll see a list of all available drives.Select the formatted drive (e.g., D: or USB drive) and click "Scan" to begin. MyRecover will automatically run a Deep Scan for formatted drive to locate as many lost files as possible. If you are trying to recover recently deleted files from one drive, it will perform a "Quick Scan" first of all.

Step 3: Brwose, Select and Recover Files

After the scan completes, use filters or the search bar to locate your lost files by name, type, or date. Select the files you want to restore, click "Recover", and choose a different drive to save the recovered files.

★Tip:

If you want to preview the files before starting to recover them, please upgrade to Professional edition.

When the recovery is completed, you will see the details about the number and the new path of the files restored successfully from formatted drive. To quickly check whether they are intact, just click on the path link or the "Browse" button.

Summary

Accidentally formatting your drive doesn’t mean your data is lost forever, especially if the format was quick and no new data has been written. With the right after format data recovery software, you can retrieve all of your lost files.

For tech-savvy users, they can free download Windows File Recovery, a freeandcommand-line solution to recover data from formatted SD card, USB drive or other device. For beginners, MyRecover is an excellent alternative with a user-friendly interface and powerful recovery features. Morecover, it comes with higher editions, offering more advanced functions like recovering files from unbootable computer.