Best Methods to Recover Data from Formatted Computer

Formatting a computer is helpful in multiple ways, such as system optimization, removing viruses, or preparing for a fresh OS installation on your device. Despite its many advantages, you may encounter sudden loss of data on your Windows computer after formatting it. Such data loss issues lead to the deletion of all the stored photos, videos, documents, and other files. In this guide, we will explore some best methods to recover data from formatted computer, ensuring that your valuable information is not lost forever. 

Tips to Consider Before Formatting Computer

Formatting a computer is crucial in multiple ways but it can lead to permanent data loss if not done carefully. Before you format your computer, consider the following tips to ensure a smooth and successful process:

• Backup Important Data: Before formatting your computer, make sure you have a backup of all important data, including documents, photos, videos, etc. This will keep your valuable remains safe and allow you to restore them when required.
• Create a Backup Plan: Along with backing up your data, you must have proper backup plan for unexpected issues. This could involve having backups on multiple external drives as well as cloud storage services.
• Download Necessary Drivers: Before formatting, download the latest drivers for your computer's hardware components, such as graphics cards, network adapters, and chipset drivers. These drivers will make the post-formatting setup process easier.
• Remove Unnecessary Files and Programs: Before formatting, delete all unnecessary files, programs, and temporary data from your device. This not only creates space on your storage disk but also ensures a smoother and faster formatting process.
• Scan for Viruses and Malware: Install and run an antivirus and antimalware program to ensure that your computer is free from such malicious software before proceeding with the format. Removing malware before formatting helps in avoiding issues during or after the formatting process.
• Double-Check Before Proceeding: Now when you are ready for formatting your device, double-check all your preparations and ensure you're confident that you've backed up your data at a safe location. 

Quick Methods to Recover Data from Formatted Computer

Instances may occur when you lose data from your formatted computer even after considering the above preventive measures. In such cases, you can go through the Windows data recovery methods in this part of the article to restore your lost data. You can go through the below-mentioned methods one by one for easy and quick recovery of your lost valuable files and folders:

Method 01: Recover Data from Formatted Computer Using System Restore Point

Before you dive into any other Windows data recovery method to restore data lost from the formatted computer, try using Windows' in-built System Restore Point utility. This option restores your system to a previous state. All you have to do is:

• Type CP in the search box of your Windows computer and launch Control Panel. 
• Go to Recovery > Open System Restore. 

• From the System Restore window, click 'Scan for affected programs' and wait till the scanning process is completed. This process will display a list of drivers and the apps that will be deleted in the restoration process. 

• Select the version you need to restore and click on Next. In the next window, confirm your selected restore point and click Finish.

• Now, from the next window that asks to initiate the process, click Yes.

Wait till the process gets completed. After that, the System Restore utility will restore your selected version and bring all the lost data back to your device. 

Method 02: Use Windows Data Recovery Software to Recover Data from Formatted Computer

Another option in the list of best methods to recover data from formatted computers is via a third-party data recovery software. Stellar Data Recovery Standard is an all-in-one data recovery tool which supports easy and quick recovery from formatted computers. You can use this tool to restore your deleted data of any type, including photos, videos, documents, and many more.

The Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool allows you to restore lost data from any internal or external storage device, such as Hard drives, Pen drives, USBs, etc. You can easily restore data lost/deleted due to various scenarios like accidental deletion, formatting, RAW partition, corrupted or damaged storage, etc.  

Let’s check how to recover data from formatted computer using the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool:

Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool on your Windows computer. Launch the software and select the type of data you need to recover, click Next. 

Step 2: Now, choose the folder location where the deleted data was earlier stored and click Scan. 

Steps 3: After completion of the scanning process, preview the recoverable files and select the files you need to restore. Click Recover to save selected files at the desired location. 

Conclusion

Formatting a computer can be a stressful experience, but with the above best methods to recover data from formatted computer, you can restore lost data successfully. Whether you choose to use Windows in-built System Restore Point or a Windows data recovery software, like Stellar Data Recovery Professional, it's important to act quickly. By following the above best practices and implementing preventative measures to safeguard your data, you can restore your valuable information even after a formatting mishap.