How can I recover files from a formatted hard drive?

When you download your recovery software, install it on a different drive (like your C: drive if your formatted drive is D:). Installing it on the same drive can accidentally overwrite the files you're trying to recover files from a formatted hard drive. I learned this the hard way once when trying to save my own neck after a formatting mishap! If you can remember specific file names or extensions (like .docx, .jpg, etc.) that you want to recover files from a formatted hard drive, jot those down. Some recovery tools let you filter searches, which can save you tons of time. Trust me—it’s way faster than sifting through a massive list of every single recoverable file.

Keep in mind that not all files may be recoverable—especially if they were overwritten or if the formatting was extensive. Some files might come back incomplete or corrupted. It’s always good to have realistic expectations. Once you manage to recover your files, make a backup plan. Use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or tools like Windows File History. I’ve set up File History for my important data, and it’s great because it automatically backs up my files regularly. You can find it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.