Is there a program to recover files after a format?

Question

My friend got a virus and immediatly decided to format an install his os. He didnt have a backup and some programs he paid for are gone.

Answer 1

Sorry to say it, but your friend is out of luck retrieving his programs. Once you format a drive all info and programs are gone. If you mean by paid programs he downloaded them he may try contacting them for help, but  he will most likely have to repurchase them.  

Answer 2

Most of the recover deleted files programs will get back files from a deleted or formated disk. The problem is if you have a virus and unsure where it is you may end up with the virus back on the hard drive again.

Answer 3

If he did a destructive format, then likely he won't get things back unless he pays big money to get a forensic lab to do it...very pricey.

If done correctly, he should have written down the product key (or activation number) for the software, then download the program from the vendor & install.  

Answer 4

He can try a program you can google called "GetDataBack".  

Some of the above replies are wrong.  A simple format does not really delete the data.   Overwriting the data does however reduce the odds of getting it back.  

I assume hes paid for programs and kept the installer files and or keys, and these are the files hes after.   Its very difficult to "move" or "copy" an existing installed program to another machine.