I sent my laptop to get fixed and made sure to save everything on a hard drive. However, when I checked today, I found the "Users" folder was missing! I've tried looking for solutions but I'm not sure if they'll work. Just to give some context, in Spain, it's common for stores to format computers as part of their service, so I'm wondering if there's any way to recover my files. It was running Windows 11, and I'm desperate to get them back!
5 Answers
I would say the chances are really low. It's like you said, once formatted, it's hard to get back what’s lost. But I guess there’s no harm in trying a recovery tool if you're up for it.
You might want to look into software like Hirens Boot CD. It has tools for data recovery. Just avoid writing anything new onto the drive—it can mess up the recovery process. Running the recovery overnight with a deep scan can yield better results too!
If you didn't have OneDrive syncing set up, your chances are slim. Formatting your disk usually destroys the partition, which means your files are likely gone for good. But you might want to try using some data recovery software, like Recuva, to see if it can help. Just remember to run it from a bootable USB drive to avoid overwriting anything. Good luck!
I've read that the police can often recover deleted files, so if they can do it, then it's possible for data recovery experts to help as well. Just be prepared to pay a hefty price for their services.
First off, stop using the laptop immediately! Anything you do after formatting can further limit your chances of recovery. It's best to consult a professional data recovery service—it can be pricey, but they have the tools needed to recover data that you can't access yourself.
That's solid advice. I’ve heard professionals can recover data even after formatting, as long as nothing's overwritten.
Absolutely! I had a similar situation and using a bootable USB helped recover some of my files, so definitely give it a shot.