This post provides 5 viable ways to show you how to undo quick format hard drive and recover data in a breeze.
Before using a new hard drive, it is necessary to format it and generate a File System for better use.
Also, while using the device, disk formatting is also required under many circumstances.
E.g., if the hard drive is corrupted, to recover corrupted hard drive, you need to get off the data and format it to bring it back to normal;
Not to mention, many people have accidentally performed a quick format on their devices.
Undo a quick format on a hard drive
Did a quick format on the wrong drive and now I have lost ALL my work. Is there a way to undo this?
- Question from Tom’s Hardware
Quick format Vs. Full format
| Delete files | Create a new file system | Write zeros | Check bad sectors | |
| Quick format | β | β | β | β |
| Full format | β | β | β | β |
Apparently, a quick format only deletes the data on the hard drive but does not write any new data to overwrite the original data on it, which makes it feasible to recover data from the quick formatted hard drive.
Now methods of how to recover files after quick format are stated below.
Data recovery after disk formatting is not that easy to achieve without the help of professional data rescue services or backups. Among many solutions, some tested ways are prepared for you.
When facing file loss due to disk formatting, users will think of backups. But sometimes, accidents come all of a sudden – problems can force you to perform a quick format, not to mention that many users don’t have the habit of backing up files.
Then, in this case, how to recover files after quick format if there are no backups? Are there any easy and efficient tools that can help users recover deleted and missing files without any problems?
A professional Windows data recovery app will be your preferred option. It should provide an intuitive user interface, a simple use process, and a fast speed in data scan and recovery.
Among seas of tools, MyRecover is the best choice to guide you. Designed for Windows users, it is competent, convenient, comprehensive, and also compatible.
Now learn how to undo format hard drives using MyRecover in 3 steps.
Step 1. Install and run the software > Hover the mouse over the formatted hard drive to start quick format data recovery > click Scan.
Step 2. Deep Scan will detect data lost due to disk formatting. While scanning, you could sort/filter/preview/select to recover. For example, you could use filters to target your wanted files, e.g., Size, Type, Date modified, etc.
Step 3. Go to Other missing files > select certain types to restore, e.g., Images > click Recover x files. Thus you could get all images back from the formatted disk.
It not only applies to an internal hard drive but also works perfectly when connecting an external device; for example, you could use it to recover data from flash drive after format.
Windows File Recovery is one of the eligible tools to help you recover files after quick format. Developed by Microsoft, it is available on Windows 10 and above machines.
Using recovery modes and switches, it restores deleted and missing files from a healthy/formatted/corrupted source drive to a target drive.
To learn a more detailed explanation of modes and switches, refer to the how to use Windows File Recovery guide.
Step 1. Go to This PC > right-click on the formatted hard drive > click Properties. Check the File System.
Step 2. Choose a recovery mode. Extensive is recommended.
| File system | Scenarios | mode |
| NTFS | Deleted recently | Regular |
| NTFS | Deleted for a while | Extensive |
| NTFS | Formatted disk | Extensive |
| NTFS | corrupted disk | Extensive |
| FAT and exFAT | Any | Extensive |
Step 3. Select switches to narrow the scanning range and target your files faster.
| Switches | Meaning | Supported mode(s) |
| /n | Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. | All |
| /y: | Recovers specific extension groups. | Signature |
| /k | Recovers system files. | NTFS Segmentβββββ |
| /segment | Segment mode; recovers files under NTFS drives using file record segments. | Segment |
| /signature | Signature mode; recovers files under all file system types using file headers. | Signature |
| /u | Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. | NTFS Segment |
Step 4. Go to Microsoft Store > click Get to install Windows File Recovery.
Step 5. Run the program > input the command:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
For instance,
winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.jpg
And press y to continue. Thus you could retrieve all lost jpg files from the quick formatted F: drive to the D: drive.
If you have the habit of backing up Windows regularly, you can restore files from backup after quick format, including Backup and Restore, File History, and OneDrive.
Backup is another remedy to fight against data loss. Users could restore files from backups in Windows 10 and 11 to get their data back.
Backup and Restore (Windows 7) is the backup tool built in Windows machines since Windows 7. Using it, users could back up any files or folders from any local location.
Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Under the Restore menu, click Restore my files.
Click Browse for files/folders > select the files you want > Next.
Choose a target place > click Restore. It is suggested not to restore the files to their original locations to prevent overwriting.
Windows 7 machines also have this feature. Users could recover deleted files in Windows 7 using this app.
File History is designed to back up pictures, music, videos, desktop folders, document files, and files in offline OneDrive files saved on your computer. In addition to Backup and Restore, you can also use File History to retrieve files that have been formatted.
Step 1. Open the “Control Panel”. Then, click “System and Security”.
Step 2. Under the "File History" menu, select “Restore your files with File History”.
Step 3. Click the “Restore personal files”.
Step 4. Locate files erased by formatting and click “Restore” to get it to its original location.
OneDrive is Microsoft's next-generation network storage tool, renamed from SkyDrive. It is designed to help users store data better, synchronize backup data, etc. to prevent data loss. If you have already backed up your data in OneDrive, then you can use it to recover the formatted hard disk.
Step 1. Navigate to the OneDrive website and log into your account.
Step 2. Use "Search everything" to find files. You can search for files by name or scroll through the list of files displayed. Note that files in your personal vault are not displayed in the search results.
Step 3. If you don't find your missing files in the search results, you can try checking the Recycle Bin. On the left side of the page, click Recycle Bin.
Step 4. In the Recycle Bin, look for the missing file or folder. If you find the item you are looking for, select it and then select Restore at the top of the page.
Step 5. If the item is not found in the long list, you can select "Restore all items" at the top of the page.
Solutions to undo quick format are all given with details above. Choose one that suits your needs. Also, some extra info is gathered as well.
Yes. Both quick format and full format wipes the data on the drive. What’s the difference between a quick and a full format is that a full format not only remove all content on the disk, but also perform zero filling.
If the SD card prompts you to format it, it is quite probable that the SD card is corrupted. To fix it and get data off, you could use professional data rescue tools and then fix it by assigning drive letters, reinstalling, or using Windows repair tool. Thus, you could restore SD card data without formatting.
SSD drives are prone to corruption. Under many situations, you have to format to fix it, e.g., systems crashes, freezing, etc. To recover data from formatted SSD, a professional data recovery app for windows will be your feasible option.
Yes, of course. New hard drives all need to be quick formatted to generate a new file system, thus files can be stored and organized.
Canceling a format in progress is possible via both File Explorer & Disk Management. But it might damage the file system, causing a RAW hard drive. But don’t worry; if the disk formatting is unwanted and you need to recover data from RAW drives, you could use MyRecover to scan the disk for lost files.