Losing important files due to accidental formatting or deletion can be devastating. Thankfully, there are free data recovery solutions that can help recover lost files after formatting or deleting a partition. Choosing the right free formatted data recovery software is key to successfully recovering lost files.
What causes data loss from formatting?
There are a few main reasons formatting a drive or partition can cause data loss:
- Accidental full format – This erases all data by overwriting the drive with zeroes.
- Quick format – This erases file system structures but leaves data in place, making it recoverable.
- Converting between file systems – Changing from NTFS to FAT32, for example, can make data inaccessible.
- Partition loss – Deleting or modifying partitions can result in data on them being lost.
Thankfully, as long as the original data is still present on the drive and hasn’t been overwritten, recovery is often possible with the right software.
What are the benefits of using free formatted data recovery software?
There are several advantages to using free formatted recovery software:
- No cost – Free tools allow you to recover data without spending money purchasing software.
- Immediate recovery – Being able to download and run software right away gets you recovering data quickly.
- No limits on recoverable data – Many free tools do not limit how much data you can recover.
- Easy availability – Free software is readily available from manufacturer websites or third party download sites.
This makes free solutions ideal for everyday users who want to attempt do-it-yourself formatted data recovery at no cost.
What features to look for in free formatted recovery software?
The top free data recovery solutions share common key features:
- Support for major file systems – NTFS, FAT, exFAT for Windows; HFS+ for Mac; Ext2/3/4 for Linux.
- Deep scan capability – Scan sector-by-sector to find all recoverable data after format.
- Lost partition recovery – Detect and recover from lost or deleted volumes.
- RAW file system recovery – Scan and recover data from drives with file system damage.
- Recovery from different failure modes – Format, delete, partition loss, file system damage, virus attack, etc.
Advanced free solutions also offer features like formatted partition recovery, optical media scanning, and email recovery.
Top 6 free download formatted data recovery software
Based on key criteria like features, performance, and ease-of-use, here are the top 6 free formatted data recovery solutions:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Recuva | Recovers files from FAT, NTFS, and exFAT. Deep scan mode. Optimized for quick recovery after accidental format. |
| TestDisk | Recovers lost partitions. Supports many file systems. Rebuilds boot sectors. |
| Photorec | Does raw data recovery based on file signatures. Doesn’t require file system. Recovers many file types. |
| Disk Drill | Scans inside formatted partitions. Has quick and deep scan modes. Preview files before recovery. |
| EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard | Wizard interface simplifies recovery. Has formatted partition recovery and virus attack recovery. |
| Wise Data Recovery | High recoverability for damaged or raw file systems. Scans external storage media. |
1. Recuva
Recuva from Piriform is one of the most popular free formatted data recovery tools for Windows. It supports FAT, exFAT, and NTFS file systems. Key features include:
- Deep scan capability to find all recoverable data after format.
- “Format recovery” mode optimized for formatted drive recovery.
- Recovers files from healthy and damaged drives.
- Supports memory cards, external HDDs and USB drives.
- Preview files before recovery.
Recuva’s simple wizard interface and optimization for recovering files after accidental formatting make it a very quick and easy to use free solution.
2. TestDisk
TestDisk from CGSecurity is a powerful open source data recovery tool. It focuses on partition recovery but also enables file recovery after formatting a partition. Key features:
- Finds and recovers deleted or lost partitions.
- Rebuilds damaged partition tables.
- Recovers data from FAT, exFAT, NTFS, ext2/3/4 and more.
- Creates disk images for recovery.
- Advanced options like cloning a partition.
TestDisk can appear intimidating but offers sophisticated capabilities for those needing to recover lost partitions or formatted data from them.
3. PhotoRec
PhotoRec is a companion to TestDisk focused on raw file recovery. It specializes in media files but can recover documents as well. Key features:
- Does not require a file system – perfect for formatted or damaged drives.
- Sector-by-sector data carving based on file signatures.
- Supports all major media formats plus Office documents and PDFs.
- Works very well for recovering data after quick formatting a drive.
For deep-level formatted data recovery across many file types, PhotoRec is a superb free option.
4. Disk Drill
Disk Drill from CleverFiles offers free formatted recovery for Windows and Mac. Its key features include:
- Recovers data after quick or full format of a partition or disk.
- Scans inside formatted partitions to find lost data.
- Has quick and deep scan modes for more recovery capability.
- Preview found files before recovery.
- Supports internal and external drives.
Disk Drill combines a simple interface with powerful deep scanning tools, making it very easy yet effective.
5. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard offers a simple step-by-step recovery process suitable for any user. Key features:
- Wizard setup guides you through each recovery step.
- Formatted partition recovery capabilities.
- RAW file system recovery support.
- Virus attack recovery and warning detection.
- Email recovery for Outlook Express and MS Exchange.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard makes it as simple as possible to recover data even from heavily formatted or damaged drives.
6. Wise Data Recovery
Wise Data Recovery from WiseCleaner is known for deep recovery from formatted or corrupted drives. Key features:
- Excellent recoverability from damaged, RAW, or quick formatted drives.
- Supports deleted partition search and recovery.
- Scans and recovers lost data from external drives.
- Media card reader for memory card recovery.
For tricky cases of data recovery after format or file system damage, Wise Data Recovery offers excellent free recovery capabilities.
How to use free formatted data recovery software
Using free recovery software after formatting a disk or partition is relatively straightforward. Here is a general process to follow:
- Install and launch the software – Download and install on a separate drive from the one that was formatted.
- Scan storage device – Select the formatted drive or partition and start a scan.
- Preview and select files – Preview found files to identify those you want to recover.
- Recover data – Choose a location to save the recovered files.
- Save the files – Browse to check they have been correctly recovered.
Most free tools make the process very easy by guiding you through each step. Advanced tools offer more options like deep scanning for maximum recovery after formatting.
Tips for recovering data after formatting
Follow these tips when using free software to recover data after formatting a disk or partition:
- Don’t install recovery software or save files onto the formatted drive, as this overwrites deleted data.
- If the format was recent, try a quick scan first for quick recovery.
- Use deep scan functions to comb formatted drives sector-by-sector for more lost data.
- Scan external devices like USB drives that were formatted thoroughly for recovery.
- Some tools let you create a disk image first before scanning – this is safer for damaged drives.
Taking the right precautions allows recovery software to find the maximum amount of recoverable data after an accidental or intentional format.
Conclusion
Free download formatted data recovery software provides an excellent way for home users to recover lost files themselves after formatting a disk or partition. Powerful tools like Recuva, TestDisk, Disk Drill, and Wise Data Recovery offer superb free recovery capabilities with straightforward interfaces.
By scanning formatted drives sector-by-sector, these tools can hunt down recoverable data even after you quick formatted a drive or deleted a partition. Deep scanning gives you the very best chance of getting back lost files.
Thanks to these free solutions, accidentally formatting a drive does not have to mean losing your files for good. Provided the original data still exists and you avoid overwriting it, recovery is often possible. So be sure to try free software before concluding your formatted files are gone forever.