Windows 7 - Recover Files After Format

I had a 23gb partition containing an o/s and installed apps.

As a test, I deleted and reformatted it twice - first with Diskpart, then Disk Management.

I then ran these 3 apps. Thought you may all be interested in the results.

You can see from the previews, they could recover what they found if it wasn't overwritten.

Recuva 52399 files in total



PC Tools File Recover 30699 files in total



Pandora Recovery 2263 files in total



This might seem low - but it only looks for certain file types - the other 2 recovered lots of files that were part of the o/s - which you probably wouldn't want. It seems particularly good at photos ( probably MP3 too, but I didn't have any on that partition to test specifically for it )



Recuva - Undelete, Unerase, File Recovery - Download

Pandora File Recovery - Find and recover deleted files of any type - free.


SIW2

Interesting SIW2...

I had a simalar issues a few weeks ago. I lost everything on 2 hard drives. I used a program called "Handy Recovery 4.0". Not only was it able to recover my files, it also recovered them including their correct directory structure. It's the first recovery software that I've seen able to get the folders from a NTFS formated HD.

I don't think SIW2 was having an issue with it, rather more of running a test to see if everything was really wiped and lost for good or not.

Hi Aaron,

I was very impressed with how well these free apps. did.

By using 2 or 3 of them, reckon you could get pretty much everything back that hadn't been overwritten.

I've even given Recuva pride of place by adding it to the Recycle bin alongside Ccleaner and Glary Utilities. LOL.



SIW2

Yeah, I had Recuva in Vista, haven't downloaded it for 7 yet, but as I don't have a need to recover lost files that often...

I do use ccleaner and defraggler quite a bit though, I did find recuva to be equally good at what it does.

No, I don't need to either, but it's there, just in case.

SIW2

Yep, nice test btw...

Thanks,

Had a few posts from people wanting to recover files after format - if possible without having to get an expensive app.

Seems it can be done, paid ones might do better still, depends how valuable those files are.

SIW2

Wow,, recuva is just perfect man. Thank you for sharing with us!..