Undo a Quick Format? Here’s How to Recover Your Files

Is It Possible to Undo a Quick Format?

A Quick Format is a fast and convenient way to prepare a storage device for reuse. It allows you to quickly clear data, change the file system, or fix certain device errors.

But is it possible to undo a quick format? Absolutely. Unlike a full format, a quick format doesn’t overwrite the entire disk with zeros or other data. Instead, it simply removes the file system’s directory structure, making the drive appear empty. As a result, if no new data has been written to the drive, the original files are often still intact and can be recovered using specialized data recovery tools.

How to Recover Data After Quick Format?

Although you cannot directly undo a quick format, it is still possible to recover data from formatted devices. However, the chances of successful recovery decrease significantly once new data begins to overwrite the old content. Therefore, if you’ve accidentally performed a quick format, stop using the drive immediately and follow these steps to recover your lost data.

Fix 1. Undo a Quick Format Using Software

When you need to undo a quick format, data recovery software is often your most effective and reliable solution. These powerful tools are designed to perform deep scans of your drive, locate lost or deleted files, and recover them, even after formatting.

For this guide, we recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. With its intuitive interface and advanced data recovery capabilities, it enables users to effortlessly retrieve various lost or deleted files. 

Recover data from various data loss scenarios, such as data loss after a quick format, permanent file deletion, or file missing due to a virus attack.

Uses advanced recovery technology to restore files with a high success rate.

Completely safe for existing data, preventing further data loss.

Compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server editions.

Here’s how you can undo a formatted hard drive using AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your .ico files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device to find lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify another saving path for the recovered files and wait for the process to complete.

Fix 2. Recover Data via File History

If you had File History enabled before performing the quick format, you might be in luck. File History is a built-in Windows backup feature that automatically saves copies of your files at regular intervals. This tool allows you to restore previous versions of files or recover files that were lost due to formatting.

Here's how to undo a quick format in Windows 10 via File History:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > File History in turn.

Step 2: Click Restore personal files.

Step 3: Choose the files you want to recover, and then click the green refresh button to get them back.

Fix 3. Recover Data Using Backup and Restore

Additionally, Windows’ built-in Backup and Restore feature allows you to recover files from a system image or a previously created backup, even after a quick format. If you enabled this feature before formatting, you can check for available backups and restore your lost data.

Follow these steps to undo a quick format in Windows 10:

Step 1. Go to Control Panel and select System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files and select photos you want to access, then click Next to continue.

Step 4. Specify the destination to save your recovered files and click Restore.

Essential Tips to Recover Data from a Formatted Drive

By keeping these essential tips in mind, you can significantly improve your chances of a successful data recovery after a quick format and avoid additional data loss.

Stop Using the Drive Immediately

The moment you realize you've quick-formatted a drive containing important data, stop using it. Any new data written to the drive can permanently overwrite the "lost" files, making them unrecoverable. 

Save Recovered Data to a Different Drive

When the recovery software asks where to save the recovered files, choose a different storage device than the one you are recovering from. Saving back to the source drive will overwrite other lost data.

Act Quickly

While a quick format doesn't instantly erase data, continuous use or even background system processes can lead to data being overwritten. The sooner you initiate the recovery process, the higher your chances of success.

Create Backups

To avoid future data loss, regularly back up your important files to an external drive, cloud storage, or another safe location. Having backups means your files are always protected and easily recoverable if something goes wrong.

Conclusion

Accidentally performing a quick format can feel like a disaster, but as we’ve seen, it’s usually not the end of the line for your lost files. The key is understanding that a quick format primarily erases the file system table, not the actual data, which means recovery is often possible.

Data recovery software like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery offers a powerful yet user-friendly way to recover data after a quick format. Feel free to download it now and start recovering your lost files with ease!

FAQs

❓ What is the difference between a Quick Format and a Full Format?

• A Quick Format only erases the file system table and marks the space as available for new data. It doesn't overwrite the existing data on the disk sectors.  
• A Full Format not only clears the file system table but also scans the disk for bad sectors and overwrites every sector with zeros or other data patterns. It makes data recovery extremely difficult or impossible for typical users. 

❓ Can I undo a quick format if I've written new data to the drive?

It becomes significantly harder, and potentially impossible, to undo a quick format if you have written new data to the drive after the format. 

❓ How long does it take to recover files after a quick format?

The recovery time depends on the size of the drive and the number of files. It can range from a few minutes to several hours.