Windows Installation Gone Awry: Seeking Data Recovery Solutions
In a frustrating turn of events, I recently encountered a significant mishap during my attempt to install Windows. While attempting to erase what I believed was my NVMe SSD housing Windows 10, I inadvertently wiped my 2TB HDD, which contained a staggering 13 years of work and personal files.
To make matters worse, the ill-fated installation of Windows 11 immediately reformatted the drive, deleting its partition and replacing it with a blank NTFS allocation. The 2TB Western Digital drive, which was approximately 75% full prior to this error, has now become an empty shell of what it once was.
As I grapple with the gravity of this situation, I’m reaching out for advice on the most effective data recovery programs available. Ideally, I’m looking for free solutions, as my budget is currently tight. I recognize that high-quality recovery software often comes at a price, but I am hoping to find a reliable free option. Normally, I rely on Recuva for simpler cases; however, I’ve come to understand that this particular scenario may require a more specialized approach.
If you have experience with data recovery, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations and insights on the best tools and recovery processes to pursue. Any assistance in navigating this challenging situation would be invaluable. Thank you in advance for your help!
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I’m sorry to hear about your data loss situation. When dealing with accidental formatting and data deletion on your HDD, it’s crucial to avoid writing new data to the drive to maximize the chances of recovery. For free data recovery options, you might consider tools such as:
Before proceeding, make sure to:
If initial free tools don’t retrieve your files, consider seeking professional data recovery services, especially if the data is very valuable. Always ensure backups in the future to prevent similar issues. Good luck, and please let me know if you need further assistance!