Data loss on FAT (File Allocation Table) file systems, such as FAT16 or FAT32, is a common mistake when we are using a computer or other storage devices to store our files. When important files disappear unexpectedly, you need to know how to recover deleted FAT files. Luckily, recovery is possible if you act quickly and use the right tools.
If you want a user-friendly recovery tool, Coolmuster Data Recovery will be an ideal option. It is capable of FAT file recovery, supporting the recovery of images, videos, audio files, emails, and more. Furthermore, it can recover data from a memory card, external/local hard drives, USB flash drives, etc.
Key features of this data recovery software:
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To recover deleted FAT files with this FAT file recovery program:
01Download and install Coolmuster Data Recovery on your computer, and then launch it.
02Plug the FAT-formatted device into your computer, and choose a recovery mode. Then select the storage device, and click "Start Scan".
03Once the scan is complete, browse the folders, tick the files you need, and click "Recover to Computer" to save them to a different drive to avoid overwriting.
TestDisk is a powerful, open-source command-line tool. It is particularly effective at fixing partition tables and undeleting FAT sectors.
To recover FAT data with TestDisk:
Step 1: Run the executable file of TestDisk and select "Create" to start a new log file.
Step 2: Highlight the disk containing the FAT partition and select your partition table type (usually "Intel" or "EFI GPT").
Step 3: Navigate to "Advanced", select your FAT partition, and choose the "Undelete" option at the bottom.
Step 4: Red-colored filenames indicate deleted items. Select them and press "C" to copy them to a secure location on your PC.
Recuva is widely known for its simplicity and effectiveness on Windows systems. It is excellent for quick scans of FAT32 SD cards.
To retrieve FAT files with Recuva:
Step 1: Install and run the Recuva software on your computer, and then use the recovery wizard to select the file type and location.
Step 2: Start scanning your FAT drive. If a quick scan fails, enable "Deep Scan". This is specifically useful for FAT systems where the file headers might be partially damaged.
Step 3: Review the scan results with file condition indicators. Finally, select the files you want and click "Recover".
PhotoRec is the "sister" program to TestDisk. While TestDisk focuses on partitions, PhotoRec focuses strictly on the data (files) themselves by ignoring the file system and going after the underlying data blocks.
To restore FAT files with PhotoRec:
Step 1: Open PhotoRec and choose the disk. Then select your FAT partition.
Step 2: If you only need specific formats (like .JPG), use "File Opt" to filter the search.
Step 3: Choose "Free" to scan only the deleted space or "Whole" if the partition is corrupted. Then select a folder to store the carved files and start the process.
Q1: What happens when a file is deleted from a FAT file system?
When you delete a file in a FAT system, the operating system doesn't immediately "erase" the data bits. Instead, it marks the file's entry in the File Allocation Table as "available" and replaces the first character of the filename with a special hex code ($E5). The data remains on the clusters until new data is written over them.
Q2: Can I directly restore deleted FAT files by using Command Prompt?
Generally, no. While the "attrib" command can reveal "hidden" files that you might think are deleted, it cannot recreate the pointers for a file that has been officially removed from the FAT table. You usually need dedicated recovery software to "carve" the data back out.
Q3: Is FAT32 used anymore?
Yes, extensively. While NTFS and APFS are standard for internal drives, FAT32 remains the universal standard for "cross-platform" compatibility. It is the default format for most SD cards (under 32GB), many USB flash drives, and EFI system partitions in modern computers.
When you delete files from a FAT file system, stop using the drive immediately, and use the methods above to recover the files, which is high time because new data hasn't overwritten the deleted ones. To make the recovery easier, Coolmuster Data Recovery provides a practical recovery algorithm and user-friendly interface, so you can recover your files with simple clicks.
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