Can you get files and data after a hard drive has been reformatted?

Formatting a hard drive using a standard formatting utility or the built-in format functionality in the operating system (Windows or Mac OS) technically erase all files from the computer.
However, in some situations you can restore data and files on a formatted hard drive as long as that information has not been overwritten by new data. There are a number of software programs on the market that offer the capability of recovering deleted files, as well as companies that offer the service. If you need to recover files that were on your formatted hard drive, using a data recovery utility is a good way to go. If the data recovery utility does not work for you, you can pay a company that specializes in data recovery to recover your files. These companies, however, typically charge several hundred dollars or more for their services, whereas a data recovery utility costs less than a hundred dollars.

• How to recover missing, lost, or deleted files.

If you do not want any of your old data to be recoverable, writing over all of the information is the safest solution without destroying the hard drive.

• How to make sure all data is erased on a computer hard drive

Another option, if you do not intend to use the hard drive ever again, is to drill a hole or two into and through the entire hard drive. This process destroys the magnetic disk platters inside the hard drive, rendering the drive inoperable and unreadable.

The hole-drilling method is usually desirable if the computer is being thrown away or recycled. However, if the computer is being donated, overwriting all information on the drive is the best solution.