Restore Files from FAT32 Drives

Although NTFS Is the default file system used by Windows NT family, it does not mean that FAT32 is obsolete. Having been around for a really long time, FAT is universally supported on all operating systems, including your smart TV, game consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, older computers, printers, etc. FAT32 remains your best choice when it comes to portability.

We can lose data stored on the FAT drives due to various reasons:

1. Files lost during FAT32 to NTFS conversion: NTFS is relatively new and considered to be more advanced than FAT32. NTFS makes use of advanced data structure to improve reliability, maximum capacity, and overall performance.

There are different ways to switch to NTFS. If you don’t need to keep your files on the FAT32 partitions, you can simply format the partitions with NTFS. Otherwise, Microsoft Windows provides a built-in utility to convert from FAT32 to NTFS while keeping your files intact. Although this built-in utility aims to convert without data loss, we still highly recommend you to backup your important files beforehand in case the conversion goes wrong. Reverting filesystem from NTFS to FAT32 stands a greater risk of data loss. It requires formatting the partition first. Either way, converting between filesystems can be risky. Unsuccessful conversion or accidental formatting of disks without proper backups can lead to serious data loss.

2. Hardware failure. Hard disk drives are fragile mechanical devices. There are many moving parts running at such a high speed that any sudden impact or movement can lead to potential disaster. Aside from that, there are also chances you just have a hard disk with manufacturing defects.

3. Virus infection or malware. Data loss could be a side effect or main purpose of a virus infection. The battle between virus and anti-virus are constantly evolving. It is safer to make regular backups than wishing the wall holds up against the ravages.

4. Human errors. This may include accidental deletion, partitioning going wrong, accidental formatting or overwriting without backups. In the latest survey conducted, data loss is caused in many ways, but it’s not all about hardware failure (21%) or data corruption (19%). Instead, human error (24%) topped the poll as the biggest factor in data loss.

In the event of data loss in FAT filesystem, it is recommended to install H Data Recovery as soon as possible. The quicker you act, the greater chance you stand of completely recovering your lost data because as time goes by, files might be overwritten by newly created data and will be lost permanently. H Data Recovery includes 6 data recovery modules: Accidental Deletion Recovery, Damaged/Lost Partition Recovery, Flash Memory recovery, Recycle Bin Recovery, Formatted Drives Recovery and Universal Recovery. Choose one module that best suits your data-loss situation and proceed with the scan. When the scan is complete, view all found files listed and check the needed ones directly. Use “Find” or “Filter” function to quickly locate your desired files. Select a directory to save the files and click next to start the recovering process. Please save these files on another good partition or external drive in order to avoid overwriting issues.