Data Recovery ProClick Cancel. Windows can't read the card's file system, but the photos underneath are usually intact, and a deep scan can find them without it.
You need to format the disk in drive E: before you can use it means Windows can't make sense of the card's file table. Formatting writes a new one and can make the photos harder to find. Recover them first, then format the card.
What to expect
| What happened | Chance |
|---|---|
| Format prompt, cancelled | Good |
| Formatted by mistake (quick format) | Good usually without names |
| Card shows as RAW in Disk Management | Good deep scan |
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 PC and open Data Recovery ProUse the PC's card slot or a USB reader. If Windows asks to format the card, click Cancel. Click Yes when Windows 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 PCChoose the files you want and save them to a folder on your PC or another drive, never back to the card. You only pay if you choose to recover more than the free allowance.
Questions
Should I run chkdsk?
Not yet. chkdsk writes to the card while repairing it. Recover the photos first.