What Happens if I Cancel a Format in Progress? Learn in Detail

Summary: A storage device, whether it’s an external hard drive, a USB drive or a SD card is something that all of us have to do from time to time. Although it is simple, there are situations where users may choose to cancel the format in progress. But what happens if I cancel a format in progress? This post will talk about the consequences possible risks and solutions to deal with this situation and help you find the answers.

What is Formatting?

Before we come to the answer to the question: What happens if I cancel a format in Progress? We should know Formating a drive refers to the procedure of preparing a data storage device (a hard disk drive in this case) to be used by an operating system File system like NTFS or FAT so that this OS can write information to the HDD. It involves two main steps:

• Low-Level Formatting: This organizes the activity on the physical disk by setting up sectors and tracks.
• High-Level Formatting: It is the process of creating a usable file system that can control files on the disk by the OS.

Also, the process will erase the content of the drive, it will test and check the disk, then eventually format the drive “without checking for bad sectors”.

What do we Perform in a Format?

When you initiate a format:

• The file system shows where the data is and erases the file table.
• It records the new file system structure.
• Optional tests like a bad sector read test are done.

This can take time from a couple of minutes to even hours depending on the size and format of the drive.

If you Interrupt Formatting, Many Things Happen Depending on Where You Stop:

Below are all the possibilities that may arise if you interrupt formatting.

• File Table Wiping: The drive will look empty or lost if the file table is already erased, but the new one isn’t fully written yet. Your data may still be recoverable via specialized tools, but you won’t be able to access the drive directly.
• Corrupt File System: A failed format may cause a file system failure. This means that we cannot use the drive until it is reformatted correctly.
• Loss of data: The incomplete erasure of the file table can cause all or some data on the drive to be unrecoverable.
• Damaging Hardware: Uncommon, but suddenly stopping in the middle of a format, particularly with older hardware could physically damage your storage.

Is It Possible to Recover Data After Cancelling a Format?

Recovery of data depends on the part of the destroying process that was already canceled, know this before getting on to- What happens if I cancel a format in Progress?:

• Early Intervention: If the format was cut before substantial overwriting of your files took place, you might still have most of your data. Recovery kits may be able to get it back.
• Later Stages: There is less probability of recovery as the longer the process continues, the lesser the prospect of recuperating machine-readable information. By this point, only advanced tools or services could potentially restore pieces of your files.

How to Recover Partially Formatted Drive?

If a drive is not accessible when you cancel the format, there are still a few solutions to fix a corrupted drive:

• Reformat the Drive: Reformat the drive in the operating system’s disk management utilities. Be sure you choose the right filesystem.  Note: This will destroy any remaining data.
• Run a File System Check: In Windows, verify and repair the file system with the chkdsk command. On macOS, you can use Disk Utility to check and repair the disk.
• Use Data Recovery Tools: Specialized recovery software is a great help for getting hold of partial format data from the drive. If you wish to use something that you can trust, then try SysTools Data Eraser Tool which offers some cool features for data management in a secure manner. It’s not a diagnostic tool, but you can use CDBurnerXP to identify storage issues in addition to providing you with a file graveyard.
• Seek Professional Help: If the data is important and not available by software, refer to the professional data recovery service.

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Avoiding Mishappenings while Formatting

To streamline formatting and avoid possible headaches:

• Keep Power Stable: Plug the devices with the UPS or fully charge your laptops to prevent data loss from power cuts.
• Inspect the Health of the Drive: Use utilities to investigate for errors before formatting.
• Backup Files: Make sure to backup all important files stored on your flash drive.
• Be Patient: Formatting drives over 1TBor full (not quick) formats can take time. Don’t quit the operation unless the situation demands it.

When You Should Avoid Canceling Formatting

Shutting down the format is always the last thing you should do. Do so only if you have started on the wrong drive or named the incorrect file system. Even then, know the possible risks and be ready to troubleshoot the occurring problems.

Also Read – Is Formatting the Same as Deleting?

Conclusion

Interrupting a format can have dire consequences, from losing data to not being able to access the drive. Know what’s going on during a format and how to pick up the pieces of an incomplete format. This can help you avoid the stress of worrying about lost files. Also the possible cost of paying a professional technician to help you reclaim the files. I hope now you have an answer to the question- What happens if I cancel a format in Progress?

Although utilities such as SysTools Data Eraser Tool are great for safely using storage devices, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Always back up your data, be thoughtful when formatting, and make sure the process finishes successfully, otherwise, you can have problems.