Recover Data from exFAT Drive (HDD, SSD, USB Drive, SD Card, etc.) on Windows/macOS

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The exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) file system is widely used for external storage devices such as HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives. exFAT is particularly beneficial for handling large files (over 4GB), making it ideal for high-capacity storage devices.

However, data loss on an exFAT-formatted drive can occur due to accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, malware attacks, or hardware failure. Losing important files can be stressful, but fortunately, data recovery is possible with the right techniques and tools.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to recover data from an exFAT drive, covering common causes of data loss and immediate steps to take.

Common Causes of Data Loss on exFAT Drives

Understanding the reasons behind data loss can help you take appropriate recovery actions and prevent similar incidents in the future. Some of the most common causes include:

▪️ Unintentional File Deletion

One of the most frequent reasons for data loss is mistakenly deleting important files. If the files were deleted from an exFAT external drive, they typically do not go to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) and may require specialized recovery methods.

▪️ Formatting the Drive Mistakenly

Formatting an exFAT drive erases all stored data. Many users accidentally format their drives when prompted by the system due to corruption or compatibility issues. Quick formatting only removes file references, making recovery possible, while full formatting overwrites data, reducing recovery chances.

▪️ File System Corruption

Corruption can occur due to improper ejection, power failures, or bad sectors. When the file system becomes corrupted, the OS may fail to recognize the drive, making files inaccessible.

▪️ Malware or Virus Attacks

Malicious software can delete, encrypt, or hide files on an exFAT drive, making them appear lost. Some malware corrupts file structures, preventing access.

▪️ Physical Damage or Hardware Failure

If an external HDD, SSD, or USB drive is physically damaged due to drops, water exposure, or aging hardware, data recovery may require professional assistance.

Immediate Steps to Take After Data Loss on exFAT Drive:

If you experience data loss on an exFAT drive, follow these steps immediately to maximize recovery chances:

1. Stop Using the Drive – Avoid writing new data to the drive, as it can overwrite lost files and make recovery impossible.
2. Check the Trash Bin – If the files were deleted on an internal exFAT drive, they may be recoverable from the system's Recycle Bin or Trash.
3. Try a Different USB Port or Computer – Sometimes, connectivity issues can make a drive appear empty or unresponsive.
4. Use Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac) – Check whether the system recognizes the drive but cannot access the files.

If the files remain missing, proceed with one of the recovery methods outlined below.

Methods to Recover Data from exFAT Drives

Method 1. Use Built-in Tools for exFAT Drive Data Recovery

Windows File History & Previous Versions

Windows has a built-in file recovery feature that can restore lost files if File History or Previous Versions was enabled before the data loss.

Steps to recover using File History:

1. Open the folder where the deleted files were stored.
2. Right-click and select Properties.
3. Click on the Previous Versions tab.
4. Select an available version and click Restore.

Mac Time Machine (if backup exists)

Mac users who enabled Time Machine can recover files as follows:

1. Connect the Time Machine backup drive.
2. Open Time Machine from the menu bar.
3. Navigate to the folder containing lost files.
4. Select the files and click Restore.

If backups are unavailable, use other recovery methods.

Method 2. Use exFAT Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software plays an important role in retrieving lost files from exFAT-formatted drives. These tools are designed to scan storage devices, locate deleted or lost files, and restore them to a safe location. They are particularly useful for cases involving accidental deletions, formatting, file system corruption, or malware attacks.

How Data Recovery Software Works:

Most recovery tools operate in the following way:

1. Scanning the Drive – The software performs a quick or deep scan to locate recoverable files.
   • Quick Scan: Searches for recently deleted files by looking at the file index.
   • Deep Scan: Analyzes the entire storage space, sector by sector, to find lost file fragments.
2. Identifying Recoverable Data – After scanning, the software displays a list of files that can be recovered. Many tools allow previewing files before restoring them.
3. Recovering Files – The user selects the desired files and saves them to a different drive (never the original one, to prevent overwriting).

Recover exFAT Drive with Donemax Data Recovery:

There are numerous data recovery tools available, but not all support exFAT file systems. Donemax Data Recovery is a powerful exFAT drive data recovery program.

Step 1. Download and install Donemax Data Recovery on your computer (don't install it on the exFAT drive). Then open this exFAT drive data recovery program, select the exFAT drive to start data recovery.

Step 2. Click on Scan button to deeply scan the exFAT drive and find all recoverable files.

Step 3. After deeply scan the exFAT drive, Donemax Data Recovery lists all recoverable files. Then select the wanted files, click on Recover button to save them.

Donemax Data Recovery also can help you repair damaged exFAT drives, reformat exFAT drives, mount exFAT drives, etc.

More exFAT drive data recovery programs:

1. Recuva (Windows – Free & Paid)

Best for: Simple file recovery on Windows.

• Developed by CCleaner, Recuva is a user-friendly tool for retrieving deleted files.
• It supports scanning of exFAT, NTFS, and FAT32 file systems.
• Offers both Quick Scan and Deep Scan for thorough searches.

Steps to recover using Recuva:

1. Download and install the software from the official website.
2. Launch the software and select the file type you want to recover (documents, images, videos, etc.).
3. Choose the exFAT drive as the recovery location and click Scan.
4. Choose the files you require from the list of recoverable files.
5. To store the files to an alternate storage device, click Recover.

2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Windows & Mac – Paid)

Best for: Recovering large files from formatted or corrupted exFAT drives.

• Supports deep scanning of exFAT, NTFS, and HFS+ drives.
• Allows previewing files before recovery.
• Can recover files from formatted, deleted, or RAW drives.

Steps to recover using EaseUS:

1. Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.
2. Open the software and select the exFAT drive from the list of storage devices.
3. Click Scan to start searching for lost files.
4. On completing the scan, preview the files before restoring them.
5. Select the needed files and click Recover.

3. R-Studio (Windows, Mac, Linux – Paid)

Best for: Advanced users and professionals who need deep file recovery.

• Supports recovery from exFAT, APFS, HFS+, and NTFS drives.
• Allows recovery from networked storage devices.
• Offers hex viewer and detailed scanning options for in-depth data analysis.

Steps to recover using R-Studio:

1. Install R-Studio and launch the program.
2. Select the affected exFAT drive and click Scan.
3. Review the list of recoverable files.
4. Select files and click Recover to restore them.

4. Disk Drill (Windows & Mac – Free & Paid)

Best for: User-friendly interface and reliable recovery performance.

• Supports recovery from internal and external drives with exFAT.
• Allows recovery of over 400 file formats including documents, images, and videos.
• Features a built-in data protection tool (Recovery Vault) to prevent future data loss.

Steps to recover using Disk Drill:

1. Download and install Disk Drill.
2. Open the program and select the exFAT drive.
3. Click Scan for Lost Data.
4. Browse and preview recoverable files.
5. Click Recover and save the files to a different location.

Tips for Successful Recovery with Software

• Avoid Writing New Data – Using the affected drive before recovery decreases success chances.
• Choose Deep Scan for Formatted Drives – A deep scan can find lost file fragments that a quick scan may miss.
• Preview Files Before Recovery – Ensure files are intact before restoring them.
• Save Recovered Files to a Different Drive – Prevents overwriting and increases recovery success.

By using reliable data recovery software, you can retrieve lost files from an exFAT drive efficiently. If these methods fail, consider professional data recovery services.

Method 3. Use Command Line (Windows & Mac) to Repair exFAT Drive

Using Windows CMD (attrib & chkdsk commands)

If files are hidden due to corruption or malware, the attrib command can reveal them:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*

   (Replace X with the exFAT drive letter.)

3. Check if files reappear.

   If the drive has file system errors, use chkdsk:

   chkdsk X: /f

Using macOS Terminal Commands

Mac users can run diskutil commands:

1. Open Terminal and type:

   diskutil list

2. Identify the exFAT drive (e.g., /dev/disk2).
3. Run:

   diskutil repairVolume /dev/disk2

4. If successful, try accessing your files again.

Method 4. Professional Data Recovery Services

If software tools fail or the drive has physical damage, professional recovery services may be necessary.

When to consider professional help:

• The drive is physically damaged (clicking sounds, unrecognized).
• The drive was fully formatted, and no files are recoverable via software.
• Important business or personal data is at stake.

Estimated Costs:

• Logical recovery: $100–$500
• Physical recovery (e.g., drive platter repair): $500–$2,000+

Popular services include Ontrack, DriveSavers, and Stellar Data Recovery.

Prevent Future Data Loss on exFAT Drives

To reduce the risk of data loss, follow these best practices:

• Regular Backups: Use cloud storage or an external drive to back up important files.
• Use Reliable Antivirus Software: Prevent malware from corrupting or deleting files.
• Safely Eject Drives: To avoid corruption, always evacuate external drives before unplugging them.
• Monitor Drive Health: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo (Windows) or SMART Utility (Mac) to check for potential drive failures.

Conclusion

Recovering data from an exFAT drive is possible if you act quickly and use the right tools. Start by using built-in system recovery options, then try third-party software like Donemax Data Recovery, EaseUS, Recuva, or Disk Drill.

To avoid future data loss, back up files regularly, use antivirus protection, and handle external drives carefully. By taking preventive measures, you can safeguard your important data and minimize the risk of permanent loss.

FAQs About Recovering Lost Data from exFAT Drive

1. Is it possible to recover permanently deleted files from exFAT drive?

Yes, data recovery software, such as Donemax Data Recovery, can help you recover permanently deleted files from exFAT drive.

2. How to unformat an exFAT drive?

Follow the steps below to recover lost data from a formatted exFAT drive:

• Download and install Donemax Data Recovery.
• Open Donemax Data Recovery, select the exFAT drive, click on Scan button.
• After scanning the exFAT drive, you can preview and recover the formatted data.

3. How to wipe an exFAT drive before selling or donating?

If you will sell or donate your exFAT drive, you can use disk wipe software - such as Donemax Data Eraser to wipe the exFAT drive. All data stored on the exFAT drive will be lost for good, cannot be recovered by any method.

4. What is the best exFAT drive data recovery program?

Here is the list of top 5 exFAT drive data recovery program:

• Donemax Data Recovery
• Magoshare Data Recovery
• Disk Drill
• Recuva
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

5. How to repair damaged exFAT drive on Windows or macOS?

On Windows PC: Open Disk Management, right-click the exFAT drive and choose Initialize, then repair the exFAT drive.

On Mac: Open Disk Utility, select the exFAT drive, click on First Aid button to repair the exFAT drive.

You also can use Donemax Data Recovery to help you repair damaged exFAT drives on Windows or macOS.