Can We Recover Files After Low-Level Format? The Truth!
Facing data loss after a deep clean? This guide details if you can recover files after low level format. We explore the reality of low-level formatting and provide a step-by-step method to recover formatted files Windows 10 using advanced tools.
Last Updated October 20, 2025
What is Low-Level Format?
What is a low-level format? A "low-level format" (Full format) is actually a very thorough, sector-by-sector overwrite with zeros, effectively erasing the original data and performing a data wipe.
This process is much more destructive than a Quick Format and takes significantly longer. Recovering data after a modern Low-Level Format is very difficult and often impossible, as the original data has been actively overwritten.
Differences Between Low-Level Format and Quick Format
In fact, there are different formats: quick format is another format method. A Quick Format (High-Level Formatting)is a fast way to prepare a storage drive (like a USB stick, hard drive, or SSD) for storing new data. It essentially "resets" the drive's file system, making it appear empty to your operating system. The old data still physically exists on the drive's platters (for HDDs) or memory cells (for SSDs). Because the index is gone, the drive simply marks that space as "available to be overwritten." Until new data is written over the old data, it can often be recovered using specialized data recovery software.
| Feature | Quick Format | Full Format |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very Fast (seconds or minutes) | Very Slow (hours or days) |
| Process | Deletes the file system table and marks the space as free. | Overwrites all data sectors with zeros/patterns. |
| Data Erasure | Does NOT erase data. Data remains until overwritten. | Erases data permanently by overwriting it. |
| Primary Use Case | Quickly preparing a healthy drive for reuse, reinstalling an OS. | Securely wiping a drive before disposal or sale; attempting to repair bad sectors. |
| Data Recovery | Often highly successful if done soon after formatting. | Extremely difficult, often impossible. |
Can I Recover Files After Low-Level Format?
No, you cannot recover files after a true low-level format.
A true low-level format erases data at the most fundamental physical level by writing zeros (or other patterns) to every single sector on the drive. This process completely and permanently destroys all existing data, making file recovery impossible with any software.
For modern drives, what is often called "low-level formatting" in software utilities is usually just a thorough secure erase, which has the same permanent result.
Recover Files After Quick Format
If you just performed a quick format, it’s easy to recover formatted files in Windows 10, 11. Let’s find out how to recover files after a quick format.
1. Stop Using the Drive Immediately: Do not save, copy, or install anything new to the drive you formatted. New data can overwrite the files you want to recover, making them unrecoverable.
2. Download the Tool: Windows File Recovery is a free command-line tool from the Microsoft Store. Download it here. Or download MyRecover to fast recover your formatted files with a friendly UI.
3. Recover to a Different Drive: You must save the recovered files to a different physical drive or an external USB drive. Saving them back to the formatted drive will overwrite the very data you're trying to save.
Way 1. Recover Files via Windows File Recovery
How to recover formatted files using Windows File Recovery? Check the Command Syntax:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/switches] [/mode:mode_type]
You should use the correct commands to recover formatted files on Windows 11/10.
Here is how to recover files after formatting in Windows 10:
1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store on your computer.
2. Press the Windows Key, type "Windows File Recovery".
3. Right-click on the result and select Run as administrator.
4. Input the following command:
winfr H: D:\test /extensive
- H: = formatted drive
- D:\test = different drive to save files
- /extensive = required for formatted drives
Key tips:
- Add /n *.pdf (etc.) to recover only specific file types
- Recovered files often lose original names/folders
- For quick format recovery, use /extensive. For deleted files (no format), use /default.
Way 2. Recover Formatted Files via MyRecover
To recover files easily from a formatted hard drive, you need a heavyweight contender. You need software that:
- Boasts a powerful deep scan or raw recovery mode.
- Support a wide range of file signatures.
- Can handle both HDDs and SSDs.
- Have a proven track record.
- Performing a thorough, sector-level scan makes it a strong candidate for attempting to recover files after formatting.
One such tool that fits this description is MyRecover, which we will use for our step-by-step guide.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Formatted Files on Windows 10
1. Install MyRecover on your Windows 11/10 computer instead of the formatted hard drive. If your formatted hard drive is an external hard drive, connect it to your computer.
100% Secure2. Launch MyRecover, tap Format Recovery, and choose the formatted hard drive to scan.
3. Hit OK when the scanning is finished. By default, all recoverable files are sorted by file type.
4. Choose the files you need, and hit Recover.
5. Select another safe location on your computer, and hit Select Folder to keep them safe.
- Tips:✎...
- Once you hit scan, it will start a deep scan to scan every sector on your hard drive to find all recoverable files. And the time costs longer than a quick scan, depending on the size and speed of the drive. Be patient and let it complete.
- Once the scan is finished, you will see a tree-view of recoverable files and folders. You can use the filter options at the top to sort by file type, path, name, or date modified. A key feature here is the preview function. Click on a file (like a photo or document) to see if it's intact before recovery. This helps you verify the quality of the recovery.
- You can also recover files from an unbootable computer using a Windows bootable media.
- To recover files from unlimited computers, try MyRecover Technician.
- Recover Deleted Files Easily with Simple Clicks
- 1000+ File Formats Supported
- Support HDD, SSD, External Hard Drive, USB Drive, SD Card, etc.
- Quickly Find Files Using File Types, Name, Size, etc.
- Preview Files Before Recovering
- Recover Unlimited Data
100% Secure
FAQs about Low-Level Format
What is the main difference between a quick format and a low-level format in terms of data recovery?
A: Quick Format only erases the file table. Your data remains intact and is easily recoverable. Low-Level Format overwrites all data sectors with zeros; recovery is extremely difficult and often impossible.
Can data be recovered after a full format in Windows?
A: No. A Windows "full format" overwrites sectors with zeros, making recovery nearly impossible—similar to a low-level format.
Why is it so difficult to recover files after a low-level format?
A: It destroys both the file table and the actual data, forcing recovery software to rely on imperfect "file carving" from raw drive space.
Are SSDs more or less recoverable than HDDs after a low-level format?
A: SSDs are less recoverable due to TRIM and wear-leveling, which proactively erase and scatter data.
The Verdict
Data recovery after a low-level format is impossible. But you can recover files after a quick formatting. With the right tools, you can fast recover them as long as they are not overwritten.
Besides, MyRecover can recover files from a disk that says it’s write-protected, recover files from an emptied recycle bin, recover files from SSD not recognized, etc.