I want to recover files that I forgot about after a format

RussWWFC

Hi

I formatted my drive but forgot about a couple of files (spreadsheets). I wish to recover them I tried a couple of free tools but neither could recover them I am looking for something that can find files after a format (or in my case restoring my Acer Laptop to factory condition)

Sponge

I suggest the first thing you do is stop using the computer in question. The more you use it, the greater the chance that the area of the hard drive that contained the files you want will be written over, if it hasn't already.

If free tools can't recover what you want, then it sounds like the best chance you'll have is to use a professional outfit. However, they are usually very expensive. I have no experience in using these companies, so can't recommend any.

jaydeeuk1

The problem is that the sectors on the HD that may have contained the spread sheet have been formatted. The free tools are usually able to recover from a format or accidental deletion, the problem is from reading your post you have reinstalled windows, potentially overwriting the same sectors with new data. Even if it hasn't been overwritten, every time you load your PC it has a risk of overwriting the sectors.
I doubt there will be any free tools available to recover information overwritten. It probably needs specialist software/hardware that can detect the tiny magnetic differences between how the HD wrote down the new information and what was there originally.

isofa

You could give the free Recuva a go, but I suspect you'll need a more pro tool if it's been formatted, but you never know... worth a try.