What do you often do to save lost data off from a formatted flash drive?

Daphne468

I am a really careless person. Yesterday, I had accidentally formatted my flash drive that had stored a great number of documents, videos, images and other types of files. All my inner data was disappeared. But, some of them were really important for me and had not been backed up. So, I am wondering whether there is a way for me to get these lost files back. Do you have any idea? Please, help me!

bod1467

If you only did a quick format then the files are probably still there - only the file HEADERS have been overwritten so Windows (I presume) can't see them.

There are several file recovery applications that can work quite well. I have had success using GetDataBack for recovering "lost" files. However the ones that work well usually have a cost to use - the free version lets you know the files it can find, but only the paid-for version will actually recover them.

Note: DO NOT install the recovery app on the device where the files to be recovered are located. In your case it's a USB drive so shouldn't be an issue.

G42

Have a look here for free software and reviews of them. It's not only paid-for software that works.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/filerecovery/tp/free-file-recovery-programs.htm

NiftyDigits

Recuva

TestDisk and PhotoRec for the more advanced user.

No need to pay.

bod1467

Thanks. It's been a while since I've needed to do this. In the past the free apps I've found wouldn't recover files, they'd only show you what they COULD recover if you paid for them.

(The old Bullseye "Look at what you could have won" moment)

PS - I didn't say that I paid for GetDataBack.

cookie365

I've heard of water cooled computers, but not ones that are actually underwater.

If it was me I'd keep the flash drive dry, and use an extension cable to plug it into the submerged USB port.

Ronald_Methew

Hi All,
Thanks for the information. Here is an easiest approach Remo Recover tool which can restore lost data from formatted flash drive.

chunter

Another who uses GetDataBack. Couldn't do without it now.