Experiencing the panic of accidentally formatting a hard disk? Don't lose hope just yet. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to recover formatted data from hard disk using command prompt. Even if you're not accustomed to using command-line tools, we'll provide alternative solutions to help you retrieve your data.
When you format a hard disk, it might seem like your data is permanently gone. However, the truth is a bit more nuanced. While formatting essentially prepares the drive for new data by removing file system structures, it does not immediately erase the actual data. This means that in some cases, you may be able to recover formatted data using the right tools, including the Command Prompt (CMD). But can CMD truly help you recover files from a formatted drive?
Yes, certainly! There are two main commands for data recovery using CMD: CHKDSK and Attrib. CHKDSK command is mainly used to check and repair logical errors on hard disks or other storage devices. Attrib command is mainly used to display, change or remove the attributes of files or folders. Both of these commands are helpful for data recovery. However, by comparison, Windows File Recovery is more suitable for data recovery in various scenarios.
In the next section, we’ll explain how to use Windows File Recovery command effectively, and you‘ll understand why it may be your best option for recovering formatted data from a hard disk.
The Windows File Recovery (Winfr) is a free utility provided by Microsoft for recovering deleted files on Windows 10 and 11. It is available on the Microsoft Store and allows users to recover files from local hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards. Windows File Recovery is a more reliable command-line tool, especially for recovering formatted data. Here's how to recover formatted data from hard disk using CMD in Windows file recovery.
⭐Step 1. Download and Install Windows File Recovery
Download and install Winfr from official channel on your computer (avoid installing it on the drive where formatted data was stored).
Type "Windows file recovery" in the start menu and right click on it to choose "Run as administrator".
⭐Step 2. Choose Windows File Recovery Command
Choosing a correct Windows File Recovery command is the key to successful recovery. The most basic command structure is: Winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches].
If you want to recover formatted files, the extensive mode is appropriate. This is because the extensive mode performs a comprehensive scan of the entire hard disk, making it easier to recover formatted files.
⭐Step 3. Recover Formatted Data from Hard Disk Using CMD
Type the command "winfr D: E: /Extensive" in the opened prompt and press "Enter". Then press "y" to continue the process. Replace drive letter "E" and "F" with your actual drive letter. This command is used to perform a deep scan for all lost data on E: drive and save the recovered files on F: drive.
If you want to recover specific file types or files, you can add filtering requirements to the basic command structure. For example: winfr G: E: /regular /n *.mp3. This command is used to performs a quick scan on the G: drive to recover files in MP3 format and saves them to the E: drive.
If you're not enthusiastic about command lines or find learning them too difficult, here's an alternative to the command line - a professional data recovery tool, MyRecover. MyRecover adopts a simple user graphic design, making data recovery easier. Even computer novices can easily complete data recovery. Here are what make MyRecover stand out.
✅No Command Line Required – Intuitive GUI (Graphical Interface) for effortless file recovery.
✅Intelligent Filtering – Precision recovery of files by type, date, or size.
✅Extensive Device Compatibility – Recover files from SSDs, HDDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, cameras, and more.
✅Versatile Data Loss Solutions – Recover from deleted/formatted partitions, emptied Recycle Bins, system crashes, virus attacks, and other scenarios.
✅Broad OS Compatibility – Works on Windows 11/10, as well as Windows 8.1/8/7 and all server editions.
Here's how to recover formatted data from hard disk using MyRecover:
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer (avoid installing it on the drive where file was lost).
Step 2. Launch it and select a drive to scan for lost files, click on "Scan".
Step 3. Choose the files you wish to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a secure location (different from the drive with lost files to avoid overwriting) to save the recovered files.
In some special cases, Windows may prompt you with "You need to format this drive before using it," which forces you to perform a format. As you know, formatting will erase all data on the drive. Before formatting, you should first recover files from the hard disk that needs formatting. Additionally, you take the following measures to prevent data loss.
1️⃣Backup or Recover Files: The most important step is to ensure data secure. You can create a backup of your data or recover files using reliable software (such as MyRecover) before you format the hard disk.
2️⃣Check Disk Error: Run CHKDSK command: chkdsk G: /f /r (replace the drive letter G: with your actual drive letter) to verify the integrity of a file system on a disk and attempt to repair any logical errors.
3️⃣Check for Hidden Files or Folders: Some files and folders might be hidden by default. Make sure to show hidden files on your computer using Attrib command: attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.*, and back them up too.
4️⃣Choose the Right Format Type: If you Choose "Quick Format", even if you haven't backed up or recovered files in advance, you can still use MyRecover to recover data from the formatted drive. "Full Format" will overwrite all data, which significantly reduces the likelihood of successful data recovery.
Clearly, recovering formatted data from hard disk using command has some drawbacks. Different commands need to be entered for different scenarios, which can be frustrating for non-professionals. With MyRecover, however, you no longer have to worry about this. No matter how complex the data loss scenario is, you can recover data with just a click of an icon. Additionally, MyRecover offers the Professional and Technician Editions for professional users and enterprise clients, supporting data recovery from crashed systems.
