How to Unformat HDD And Retrieve Lost Data Back? (3 Ways)

User case: Can I unformat HDD and recover the data?

Unintentional data loss can occur unexpectedly, and it can be quite distressing when you realize that you have accidentally deleted important data that you've been storing on your hard drive for many years through a formatting action. If you happen to find yourself in a similar situation, you can follow this guidance to learn how to unformat HDD. This guide is here to assist you by providing the necessary steps to address this issue.

3 methods to unformat HDD to find lost data back

Here we will share how to unformat HDD using methods that range from easy to slightly more advanced, which may require some computer skills. With 1 Windows inbuilt tool and 2 unformat HDD recovery software, it is simple to retrieve lost data back.

Way 1. Try a unformat HDD recovery software

Using recovery software for formatted HDDs can significantly increase your chances of successfully retrieving your data while ensuring simplicity in operations. One excellent option is AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, a powerful tool known for its user-friendly interface with wide compatibility for almost all Windows OS. It's designed to accommodate users of all levels, whether you're a computer novice or a tech enthusiast.

What’s more, it supports recovering more than 200 file types from various storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, and SD cards, among others. Whether you've experienced accidental data loss, system crashes or a virus attack, you can effortlessly regain important valuable data with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Open the AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional you installed. Look for "Recover" > "Recover Data" on the main screen.

Step 2: Pick the partition location in the window that pops up, then hit "Start Scan."

Step 3: After scanning, you'll see all the deleted files, the recycle bin, and other lost data. Choose the data you want, and click "Recover."

Step 4: Choose where you want to save the recovered data.

Step 5: Wait patiently until you see the Completion icon. You'll now see that your selected files have been successfully recovered.

Way 2. Run CMD to unformat a HDD

If you are familiar with command lines, you can also try to use Command Prompt, a Windows built-in tool to unformat a HDD. However, if you're not experienced with this method, it's advisable to explore alternative options. Incorrectly entered commands can potentially lead to additional data loss or even system crashes.

Step 1: Go to the Windows search bar and type "Command Prompt." Click on it, but make sure to choose "Run as administrator."

Step 2: Type "chkdsk #" (Replace # with the letter of your formatted drive) Then press Enter. If prompted, type "Y" and press Enter again to continue.

Step 3: Type the command "ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D #:" (Replace # with the drive letter of your formatted drive) Then press Enter.

Way 3. Use Windows File Recovery to unformat HDD

Another unformat HDD recovery software is Windows File Recovery. It has developed by Microsoft to bring lost data back from external hard drives. This program shows its flexibility by working well with different kinds of file systems, like NTFS, exFAT, FAT, and more.

However, this software is specifically created for those using Windows 10. You should double-check that your Windows operating system is version Windows 10 20H1 Build 19041 or a more recent one. If you're using a different version of Windows, it's recommended to opt for choose the first tool.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store and install it with administrative privileges.

Note:

• Please type the command: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
• Two scanning modes can be chosen: Default and Extensive. You can select according to your specific situation.

The Extensive mode can be further classified as two modes, Signature and Segment:
• Signature mode: Recover all lost files under the file system using file headers.
• Segment mode: Restore lost files with file record staging specifically for NTFS. If you want to convert FAT32 to NTFS, here's the guidance.
• Here are some switches you can use to customize the recovery task.

•  Please be careful when inputting commands. Incorrectacy can result in serious data loss.

Step 2. Select the Default mode and input the command "winfr C: D: /n *.docx" to search for all DOCX files on the C drive and copy them to the D drive. Press "Y" to proceed. Please remember to replace "C:" with the source drive and "D:" with the destination drive as per your requirements.

Final words

3 ways on unformat HDD are introduced today. If you want to save time and energy, it is advisable to choose AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the future, you can also rely on it to fix computer issues on your own. Functions like Allocate Free Space, App Mover, and PC Cleaner, can extend your drive space. Or you can also choose Disk Clone to make a backup of your computer.

This powerful software is also equipped with the Server Edition that supports Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2012 (R2), 2016, 2019, 2022 and SBS 2003, 2008, 2011 devices.