Quick format only deletes the path to access the files stored on your storage. Actual data is never removed from the disk with the quick format (unless you overwrite after formatting), and thus, you can recover that data with the help of reliable data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
CAUTION: Immediately stop using the formatted storage drive to avoid overwriting and data corruption.
Check out the video tutorial here:
Follow these steps to restore data after quick formatting:
- Download, install, and run Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Connect the storage drive where you performed Quick Format (optional if partition/ volume is internal).
- Choose ‘All Data’ and click Next.
- Select the drive under the ‘Connected Drive’ list.
- Turn on ‘Deep Scan’ that appears at the bottom-left after selecting the location.
- Click ‘Scan’ and then wait for the scan to complete.
- After the scan, deleted and lost files are listed in the left tree-view pane. Click ‘File View’ to sort the files based on category.
- Click the folder to list the files in the right panel and then select the files that you want to recover.
- Click ‘Recover’ and then click ‘Browse’ to select the location where you want to save the recovered data.
Note: Make sure not to select the same drive to avoid overwriting and data corruption. Besides, the software has a safety feature that does not let you overwrite data even if you choose the same drive to save recovered data.
- Click ‘Start Saving’ and wait till lost and deleted data is saved at your desired location
That is all. You can close the software and copy the data to its source.
