I had to reinstall Windows on my computer. I lost all my old files, folders programs. Can I get them back?

You need to open windows explorer, and select C: drive (Or D: Drive) on left hand side, and then click on search, all files and folders, then enter part of the name of the file you know, then click on search.

If it finds any of your files, then do properties on that file, open another windows explorer, go to that location.

If it can't find any file with the name, try with different name of the file(use only part of the name not whole name).

When someone reinstall the windows without formatting it, it puts older programs/windows on to different directory. They might have installed windows without formatting it, then it's possible that the data is still in the drive.

It's very unlikely that you'll find the files after a windows reinstall, no matter if you formatted the hard disk or not because the new files overwrite random areas of your hard disk and most of the "recovery files" software (try to) recover files that are still in disk but have not been overwritten by other files.

When you delete a file it is not really deleted even if you empty the "recycle bin", it just let that space available to be overwritten by any other file. So if you use a recovery files software just after delete some files then it's likely you'll recover them.

Yes you can recover those files but you cannot wait too long. The data exists on the lower levels of your hard risk but Windows cannot locate it. The files can be overwritten at any time if you do not recover them ASAP.

What you need is specialized software that can scan the outer reaches of your hard drive. I personally have software that recovers all kinds of files like pictures, mp3’s, videos, excel, word documents, just about anything. Try it out yourself for free at:

http://www.recovering-deleted-files.net/

sorry but only if you backed up your files, but if not then sorry you cant get it back.