Linux Mint Replaced My Windows NVMe D: Drive: Can I Recover the Old Files?
TL;DR:
Recovering files from a Windows NVMe SSD after wiping it to install Linux Mint is highly unlikely due to data overwrites and SSD TRIM operations, requiring you to immediately power down the drive to prevent further data destruction.
● Attempt to reacquire the lost purchased animation tutorials through the original seller's download library, purchase receipts, or customer support, which is safer and cheaper than scanning a reused drive.
● Do not reinstall Windows, reformat, optimize, or save data recovery software directly onto the affected SSD, as these actions will overwrite any potentially remaining old blocks.
● Understand that a recovery scan displaying old file names does not mean the files are intact, requiring you to confirm that exported copies actually open before paying for professional specialist attempts.
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Recovery may be very limited after Linux Mint was installed using the wipe option on an NVMe SSD and the system was used for several days. Installation writes can overwrite old blocks, while SSD TRIM or discard operations may make deleted contents unavailable to recovery tools. Stop using that drive now rather than testing applications on it.
In this wrong-drive Linux Mint installation case, the user left other drives connected, selected the old Windows D: NVMe during installation, and only realized the mistake days later. Most important files had already been moved elsewhere; the remaining loss was a set of purchased animation tutorials.
Check the Least Destructive Replacement First
For purchased tutorials, look for the original seller's download library, purchase receipt, account access, or a replacement download from support. Also check the external drives mentioned in the post. Reacquiring those copies may be safer and cheaper than attempting to scan a reused system SSD.
What If There Are Truly Irreplaceable Files?
Power the affected SSD down and do not reinstall Windows, reformat, optimize, or save a recovery tool onto it. A qualified specialist can evaluate whether a safe image is possible and whether any old blocks remain, but an already trimmed or overwritten range cannot simply be undeleted. Microsoft's Windows File Recovery guidance notes that deleted space can be overwritten and that SSDs are a particular limitation; it does not promise recovery after a Linux reinstall.
Practical Limit:
A scan result containing old file names would not establish the tutorial files are intact. Confirm that exported copies actually open before paying for a recovery attempt, and weigh the cost against obtaining the original tutorials again.