How to recover formatted external hard drive using cmd?

Using the Windows File Recovery Tool is a solid way to attempt to recover files from a formatted external hard drive, but it definitely comes with some bumps along the road.

If you mess up a command or don’t specify the source and destination correctly, you might end up with a headache. Plus, depending on the options you choose, it can become a guessing game figuring out what works best. Just because you run the tool doesn't mean you’ll get everything back. Files can be partially corrupted or completely lost, especially if they’ve been overwritten since the formatting. It can be a nail-biting experience with no promised happy ending.

Depending on the size of the drive and the amount of data, the recovery process can take a while. If you’re in a hurry, this might not be the best solution for you.