Where does MySQL store database files on Windows and what are the names of the files?

Question

I accidentally formatted my hard drive and re-installed Windows and forgot to backup an important database I had in my MySQL server. I'm trying to salvage files now using some software, but I don't know what to look for.

What is the path that the files are stored in, and what are the files named (what naming convention, or file extension should I look for)?

I believe my server was using MyISAM, but not 100% sure.

Answer 1

You can check my.ini file to see where the data folder is located.

Usually there is a folder {mysqlDirectory}/data

MySQL data storage:

Commands.frm
Commands.myd
Commands.myi

The *.frm files contain the table definitions. Your *.myi files are MyISAM index files. Your *.myd files contain the table data.

Edit/Update. Because of the interest shown in the question here is more info which is found also in the comments.

In Windows 8.1, the MySQL databases are stored (by default) here: C:ProgramDataMySQLMySQL Server 5.6data

The folder C:ProgramData is a hidden folder, so you must type it into Windows Explorer address to get there. In that data folder, the databases are named /{database_name_folder}/{database_tables_and_files}.

For instance,

C:ProgramDataMySQLMySQL Server 5.6datamydatabasemytable.frm
C:ProgramDataMySQLMySQL Server 5.6datamydatabasemytable.ibd 

Thank @marty-mcgee for this content