In most cases, overwritten data cannot be fully recovered. When data is overwritten, it means that new information has been written on top of the original data on the storage media. This process replaces the previous data, making it challenging, if not impossible, to retrieve the overwritten information. Data recovery relies on the ability to access the original data that still exists on the storage device, even if it appears to be deleted or lost. However, when data is overwritten, the original data is effectively erased, and the new data takes its place. As a result, the original content becomes irretrievable through standard data recovery methods.
To increase the chances of data recovery, it’s crucial to act quickly and avoid using the storage device once data loss is discovered. This minimises the risk of further data being overwritten. Additionally, regularly backing up your important data is an excellent practice to ensure data loss doesn’t lead to permanent data unavailability.