How do I recover deleted files from FAT file system?

File system is used in your computer operating system or other storage devices to define the file organization method and data structure. Now most computers adopt NTFS file system, while the USB devices usually adopt FAT file system. What are difference between NTFS and FAT and how to recover lost files from file system? This article take FAT32 file system as an example to show you how to recover deleted files from FAT file system?

What is FAT32 file system?

FAT is short for File Allocation Tablel, FAT 12 and FAT16 has gradually disappeared, but FAT32 is still a very popular file system now. It can be support by all the operating systems now. But it has its limitations, so many people would like to format FAT to NTFS. But if they format the file system, they will have data loss.

The reasons for FAT32 data loss

There are many reasons for FAT32 data loss.

1. Data loss during the process of convert FAT to NTFS

Many people tend to format their FAT file system device to NTFS to break through the limitations and get a better performance. This is the most common reason for FAT data loss. You can covert the file system, but you should keep in mind to back up all your files before you start to format it. Some of users only found that they have forgotten to back up their files. However, at this time, they have lost their files.

2. Data loss from accident deletion

Accident deletion is another important for FAT files and partition. No matter you delete the files intentionally or unintentionally, they will disappear.

3. Virus attack

Virus attack is not uncommon for all computer users. If you disable your Windows Firewall or do not run a latest antivirus software, you computer is easy to be attacked by virus. When your computer have virus infection, some of your files may be damaged or lost, or even all the partitions become unusable. Once your device get a virus attack, you should run the antivirus software to scan and kill the virus first, and then try to recover the lost files.

4. Improper operations on hard drive partition

When people found the drive problem, they will open the disk management to try to fix it. But improper operations like delete or format partition, re-partitioning will cause complete data loss on this partition.

How do I recover deleted files from FAT File system?

No matter how you lost your FAT files, as long as there is no new file saved to there, you can recover them with data recovery software. The lost files by accident deletion, improper operation, or virus attack will not be erased, so you have way to recover them. After you accident delete files or have mistaken operation on the drive, you should stop using this drive and try the data recovery method as soon as you can.

Steps to recover files from FAT file system.

After you convert the file system, if you have backups of your files, you can restore from the backup. If you have forgotten to back the files, the hdata recovery software may be a good choice.

Run the Hdata recovery softwareson your computer. It is compatible with almost all operating system.

If you lost files for accident delete, you can choose the recovery mode of “Deleted Your Files Accidentally”.

If you format the hard drive partition, you should choose the mode of “Formatted Hard Drive Accidentally”.

If you accidentally delete a partition, or the partition disappeared, you can click the button of “ Hard Drive Partition Lost or Crash”.

If you do not know which mode you should choose, there is a mode of Universal Recovery for you to make a full scan.