This is a scenario that we all pray we never have to confront. You have formatted your drive, and now all the data in it is gone. Perhaps you formatted the disk accidentally, or you did it on purpose before you realized that you still need some important data on the drive.
If you have a backup of the drive, you can easily restore the files with a few clicks, but if you didn’t, things would become challenging. There are a few ways to recover any important data, regardless of how you got to this stage. So let’s look at the techniques for how to recover C drive data after format.
Does the factory reset format the C disk?
A format will fully erase everything from the drive and wipe it clean. The system will write over the entire drive with zeros if you do it securely. A factory reset removes all user information and settings; the operating system is left untouched.
Your photos, videos, audio, and document data will be lost after a factory reset, but you can still recover them without a backup.
How do I Recover C drive Data after Formatting?
Via Backup
You can use backups to successfully recover 100 percent of your lost data. Backing up data to the cloud or an external drive is the best preventative measure you can take to bounce back from accidental data loss easily. Large corporations and businesses typically keep multiple backups of their most important files. When they lose a large amount of data, recovering from a backup folder or drive is the best option.
Even if you go to a specialist to recover your data, they will ask you if you have a backup of your data. So, before doing anything else, be sure to back up your most important files. If you had a backup before losing your data, use it along with your backup software by following the procedures listed below to restore your files.
- Determine which file systems, individual files, or HDD you wish to recover.
- Locate the backup image you want to use for recovery. Although you should select the most recent backup, there may be times when you need to revert to an earlier version of your files.
- Beginning the recovery process from within your backup/recovery program will allow you to retrieve the list of files that need to be restored.
- After the procedure, double-check your files to ensure that everything is in order. If you notice any damaged files or missing data, it is possible that the backup used for recovery was incomplete or damaged. You should restart the recovery process, but this time with a different backup.
Without a backup (Stellar Windows data recovery tool)
Here’s how to recover data from C drive after formatting without a backup. Backups are an excellent idea since they can help you recover files from a hard drive, but reliable backups are not always available. A user might occasionally fail to perform any computer backups. The last thing you want to deal with while using a data recovery professional software is a challenging recovery procedure. Trying to restore potentially lost files is stressful enough without having to cope with cumbersome instructions and procedures.
The Stellar Data Recovery software recovers lost, erased, or formatted data from your PC, laptop, or other Windows storage media. It allows scanning a whole disk or a specific folder to recover lost or destroyed images, videos, documents, and other sorts of data.
In addition, the software can restore data from formatted partitions and damaged hard drives. Stellar Data Recovery thoroughly examines your drive with its Deep Scan and securely recovers the data even if Windows cannot access it.
Here’s how to recover C drive data using the Stellar application:
- Install the Stellar data recovery professional for Windows software.
- Open theapplication, select the type of data you want to recover, and clickNext.
- Select the folder location or drive volume and clickScan.
- Select files after the scan and clickRecoverto save recovered data.
After the process, the application will present you with the recovered files. You can then choose to store them in your desired location.
How to prevent data loss?
Always have a backup of your machine’s data. If something goes wrong with the original version, you won’t have to waste time on C drive data recovery with third-party apps. Think about creating three backup copies of your most crucial information. One copy may be on a CD or external storage, and the rest may be in the cloud. Having off-site and on-site backup storage is also a smart idea.
Taking backup doesn’t need any third-party software, as you can deploy the integrated Windows tool to do this. Here’s how to take a backup in Windows 10/11:
- In the taskbar, search forControl Paneland open the menu by double-clicking on it.
- Next, run the backup tool by selectingBackup and Restore (Windows 7). If the category view is enabled, you will find the entry under theSystem and Securitycategory.
- SelectCreate a system imagefrom the left-hand menu to start the backup wizard. You can now transfer Windows 11 backups to an external hard drive, USB stick, DVD, or cloud.
- Windows 11 will display a list of backupable disks. It also provides a general estimate of the file size to be backed up. To begin the Windows 11 backup,clickStart backup.
What happens if I delete files on C Drive?
Depending on the file you delete, your computer or the software may experience adverse effects. Your computer stores system files primarily on the C disk and if one of these files gets removed, your computer can’t reach the resources it needs to function.
When you open the computer, some software may not be accessible, or error messages may appear if the deleted file is related to how the computer system or software operates. These files are system files that you should not remove, or the PC will fail to operate.
Recover C drive even without a backup!
Formatting can occasionally be the simplest and most reliable fix for all file system problems. However, the process will fully empty your hard drive. You can correct file system problems and restore access to any files lost during the formatting process if you know how to recover files from a formatted hard drive.
The Stellar Windows Data Recovery application is your best chance if you’re attempting to restore your files without a backup. It ensures safe recovery and is simple to use. To save yourself from needless worry, build a backup by following the instructions above after the files have been restored and recovered.
FAQ
- What file types can Stellar Data Recovery software recover?
Stellar Data Recovery is a comprehensive solution capable of recovering hundreds of different file types. It can recover files in various forms, including documents, emails, photos, audio, and video.
- What types of Scans does the application have?
Quick Scan is a speedier scanning option for recovering deleted files on Windows PCs and external drives. A deep scan takes longer but produces better results than a fast scan. When Quick Scan fails to locate the lost files, use the Deep scan option. The Deep scan scans the drive based on file signatures then recovers data from formatted, corrupted, and severely corrupted storage media.
