Freeware to unformat NTFS or FAT drive

What is unformat?

Unformat is an external command starting with DOS 5 that restores a formatted disk to its previous contents, providing it was formatted under DOS 5 without the /S switch. The /S switch bypasses saving Unformat information during the format process (see DOS Format).

The detailed unformat command:
UNFORMAT drive: [/J]
UNFORMAT drive: [/U] [/L] [/TEST] [/P]
UNFORMAT /PARTN [/L]

drive:	Specifies the drive to unformat.
/J	Verifies that the mirror files agree with the system information on the disk.
/U	Unformats without using MIRROR files.
/L	Lists all file and directory names found, or, when used with the /PARTN switch, displays current partition tables.
/TEST	Displays information but does not write changes to disk.
/P	Sends output messages to printer connected to LPT1.
/PARTN	Restores disk partition tables.

For example, to test the disk in drive A, type: unformat a: /test

To unformat the disk in drive A, type: unformat a: /u

The unformat command is eliminated in Windows 95.

Unformat on FAT and NTFS drive

NTFS and FAT are the most widely used file systems under Windows now. Most Windows unformat tasks refer to unformat on NTFS / FAT drives. In some situations it may be technically possible to unformat a drive and have the old file system re-appear. However, the result of unformat is not guaranteed, it will not always work depending on your computer circumstances. How to recover the files from formatted drive with 100% security? I recommend the unformat freeware: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition. Beside unformat, the powerful freeware also can recover deleted files and recover files from lost or deleted partition. Best of all, it is FREE. Just download it, install it and use it.

Tutorial of unformat on FAT / NTFS drive for free

1. Download it, install and run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition.

2. Run "Complete Recovery" module, select file types you want to recover and then you'll find all existing partitions on your hard disks, select the one you want to recover data from and click "Next".

Following the rest steps with the software guide, you'll easily finish format recovery. If you need step by step instructions, please refer to another format recovery guide.

Tips: If you want to wipe the data on a partition completely to protect your privacy, please refer to How to delete and wipe partition?

 

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