How to Recover Formatted Hard Drive With the Folder Structure

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recover formatted hard drive with folder structure

To recover formatted hard drive with folder structure can be a very important task, especially if you have spent a lot of time organizing your files in a complex hierarchy. Imagine accidentally deleting your research data and reports stored in monthly folders—it would be a nightmare to have to recreate that organization from scratch.

In this article, we will guide you on how to recover deleted files while preserving the original folder structure.

Part 1: Factors Affecting Successful File Recovery Along with Folder Structure

In order to understand the chances of recovering files along with the original folder structure, let’s consider the various factors involved:

Factor A: The situation that leads to data loss.

  • Human error: If not formatted or overwritten, data recovery software can restore data. The folder structure can be restored depending on the recovery software’s file system and if the lost data was partially or fully rewritten. The metadata status of deleted files is also included.
  • Hard disk damage: If your hard drive is detected by disk management without any signs of severe damage, you can scan the damaged hard drive to recover lost data. The recovery of the original folder structure depends on the integrity of your partition table.
  • Physical damage: A data recovery service facility is suitable for significant physical damage that prevents hard disk access. The data recovery center’s skill determines folder structure recovery.

Factor B: Type of storage device

Different types of media have varying effects on data recovery. Here’s what you should know:

  • SSD (Solid State Drive): Data recovery from an SSD depends on the TRIM feature, which automatically clears space for new files after files have been deleted. While you can disable TRIM for internal SSDs, external SSDs do not have this option due to limitations in the USB interface. Therefore, the chances of recovering data along with the original folder structure depend on the time elapsed since deletion and the status of the TRIM feature.
  • HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Data recovery from a hard drive is possible as long as you haven’t done a full format. Acting quickly is crucial to prevent additional files from being overwritten.
  • Other removable media: The data recovery process for other removable storage media, such as USB drives and memory cards, is similar to that of hard disk drives. (HDD)

No matter what type of storage device it is, time is of the essence. Stop using the device immediately after data loss and plan a solid data recovery strategy.

Factor C: The capability of data recovery software.

Data recovery with the original folder structure depends on the program. Choose a rehabilitation tool by considering these factors:

  • The data recovery program should support NTFS and FAT32 file systems. File system compatibility lets the utility restore files with their original names and organizational structures.
  • Data recovery tools should be updated often. These improvements increase scanning algorithms, improving data recovery possibilities.
  • Efficiency and Scope: Consider the data recovery tool’s file formats. Also, verify compatibility with SSDs, HDDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives.
  • Select a data recovery program with an easy-to-use interface. These tools are simple and allow recovery with a few clicks.
  • Some data recovery solutions only use signature scanning, which cannot recover folder hierarchies or file names. Deep scan programs like WinfrGUI study the file system structure to rebuild erased data and boost the possibilities of recovering files and the original folder structure.

Finding the appropriate data recovery tool to recover formatted hard drive with folder structure is difficult, but we’ve done the research. Read on for our top picks.

Factor D: Time

Finally, time is a crucial factor in data recovery. If you have read/written multiple times on the affected disk after deleting the files a long time ago, the chances of recovering the data along with the original folder structure will significantly decrease.

Part 2: Recover Formatted Hard Drive With the Folder Structure Using WinfrGUI

Our top choice for recovering deleted files along with the folder structure is WinfrGUI. This reliable and user-friendly data recovery application supports major file systems such as NTFS and FAT32.

We recommend WinfrGUI because it helps maintain the integrity of your data while also offering free recovery options.

This is a step-by-step guide on how to use WinfrGUI to recover your deleted files along with the original folder structure:

  • Download, install, and activate WinfrGUI.
  • Select your storage device from the list and click on “Search for lost data.”
  • Wait for the scan to finish, then click on “Review the items found.”
  • Customize the scan results using filters. You can use the common file type filters from the navigation bar on the left, or use specific file type filters by entering the file format in the top right corner.
  • Use the “eye” icon to open the preview panel of the files you have deleted. The preview window will display important properties of the file, such as the date modified and the hierarchy of the file path.
  • Select the file you want to recover and click on “Recover.”
  • Select a destination to save the recovered data and click “Next.”
  • Click on “Show recovered data in Explorer” to view the recovered files along with their names and the correct folder structure in the original directory.

Part 3: Alternative Methods to Recover Formatted Hard Drive With the Folder Structure

In addition to WinfrGUI, we have identified five other reliable data recovery solutions that can recover files along with the original folder structure. Let us briefly present each type of tool, highlighting their outstanding features and potential drawbacks.

  • Recuva: A widely known data recovery tool that offers unlimited free data recovery services. However, it may not always be able to accurately restore the original folder structure, and the lack of regular updates is also a drawback.
  • TestDisk: An overlooked partition recovery tool that excels at repairing file systems. While it may not be able to restore the original folder structure, it can fix system errors, allowing access to files and folders without the need for data recovery.
  • Stellar Data Recovery: This tool can recover files along with the original folder structure, but the recovery speed may be slower and there may be occasional crashes. The frequency of updates is also inadequate.
  • R-Studio: An excellent data recovery tool for professionals. It has unique features such as the ability to create new RAID arrays and a forensic mode. It can recover files along with the original folder structure, but it consumes a lot of resources and has a slow preview function.
  • DiskGenius: This tool not only recovers deleted data along with the original folder structure but also has disk management capabilities. Although it may have occasional flaws and a complex user interface, it offers reliable recovery options.

Conclusion

The folder structure is an important part of organizing data, which affects efficiency and productivity. Restoring erased data while keeping folder structure is difficult. However, WinfrGUI and other data recovery programs described in this post can greatly improve your chances to recover formatted hard drive with folder structure. Choose the proper tool for your needs and follow the instructions for optimal results.

>>Also Read: 3 Methods to Data Recovery from Failed Hard Drive