Data Recovery ProAfter a quick format, files can usually be recovered, because only the file table is rewritten. After a full, secure or low-level format, the data has been overwritten and can't be recovered.
What to expect
| What happened | Chance |
|---|---|
| Quick format (camera default) | High |
| Quick format on a Mac or PC | High |
| Full format on Windows | None writes zeros to every block |
| Disk Utility erase with Security Options | None |
| Camera low-level format | None |
The ratings are a rough guide. We haven't measured recovery rates.
Recover them in four steps
- Stop using the card or driveDon't take more photos, copy files to it or format it. Every new file can overwrite one you want back.
- Connect it to your computer and open Data Recovery ProUse a card slot or a USB reader. If your computer offers to format or initialise the card, click Cancel or Ignore. Data Recovery Pro asks for permission so it can read the card directly.
- Scan and previewThe quick scan takes seconds; the deep scan reads every block. Files appear as they are found, each marked intact, partly damaged or not checked, so you see what can be recovered before you decide.
- Recover to your computerChoose the files you want and save them to a folder on your computer or another drive, never back to the card. You only pay if you choose to recover more than the free allowance.
How to tell
A quick format takes a few seconds. A full format takes minutes, longer on a large card. On Windows, a format is full when the Quick Format box was unticked. In a camera, a low-level format is a separate option in the format menu.
Questions
Can a full format be undone with any software?
No. Once the data has been overwritten, no software can read the old photos back.