Recover/Repair Data with Data Recovery Wizard

How to Recover Files from USB - Page Content Step 1: Connect the USB Drive to Your Computer First, ensure that your USB drive is properly connected to your computer via a USB port. Make sure it's inserted securely and the computer recognizes it. Step 2: Check if the Files Are Still Present Before attempting recovery, check if the files are visible in the USB drive but just hidden. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to the USB drive. Look for any hidden files or folders by enabling the "Show Hidden Files" option in your system settings. Step 3: Scan the USB Drive with Data Recovery Software If the files are not visible, you'll need a data recovery tool. Download and install a reliable data recovery software like Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. Choose a program that offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee. Step 4: Launch the Data Recovery Software Open the software and select the USB drive as the target for file recovery. Avoid selecting your main hard drive to prevent overwriting any lost data. Step 5: Perform a Deep Scan Initiate a deep scan of the USB drive. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the drive and the number of files. Step 6: Preview and Select Lost Files Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to ensure they're the ones you want to recover. Select the desired files and click "Recover." Step 7: Save the Recovered Files Choose a different location on your computer to save the recovered files, avoiding the USB drive to prevent data overwrite. Wait for the recovery process to finish. Step 8: Check the Recovered Files After the recovery, verify the integrity and completeness of the recovered files. If any issues persist, consider professional data recovery services. Remember, prevention is key. Always keep backups of important files and regularly scan your USB drives for malware to avoid losing data in the future.

1. 1. Recover deleted files from USB using Data Recovery Software (Recommended)
2. 2. Recover files from USB flash drive using Command Prompt (Only recovers hidden files)
3. 3. Retrieve files from USB using Previous Versions (File backups needed)
4. 4. Restore USB files from Windows Backup (File backups required)

Several factors can result in file loss on a USB flash drive or a pen drive, including unintentional file deletion, hard drive formatting, storage device failure, and virus infection. Among these, accidental deletion is the most common cause of data loss from USB devices.

Where do deleted files from USB go? When you delete files from a USB drive, they don't necessarily go to a specific location like the Recycle Bin on a computer. Instead, the operating system marks the space occupied by those files as available for new data, but the actual content of the files remains until it's overwritten by new data. To recover deleted files from a USB drive, you can use file recovery software, which扫描驱动器以查找和恢复未被新数据覆盖的文件。However, if you continue using the USB drive or write new data to it, there's a risk that the deleted files may be permanently lost.

Since USB flash drives or pen drives are external devices, deleted files on USB flash drives are permanently removed instead of going to the Recycle Bin. Hence, you cannot perform Recycle Bin recovery to retrieve files from USB. However, you still have the opportunity to recover deleted files from USB by utilizing the 4 methods outlined in this tutorial.

Note: If you realize that you've mistakenly deleted files from the USB, stop using the USB flash drive immediately to prevent data overwriting.

How to Recover Files from USB Using Data Recovery Software

Step 1: Connect the USB Drive to the Computer

1. Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your computer.
2. Make sure the computer recognizes the USB drive and assigns it a drive letter.

Step 2: Download and Install a Data Recovery Tool

1. Choose a reputable data recovery software, such as Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery.
2. Visit the software's official website and download the latest version.
3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.

Step 3: Launch the Data Recovery Software

1. Locate the software icon on your desktop or in the Start menu and double-click it to open.
2. Many data recovery tools will have a user-friendly interface guiding you through the process.

Step 4: Scan the USB Drive for Lost Files

1. Select the USB drive from the list of available storage devices in the software.
2. Choose the file type you want to recover (if applicable) or opt for a comprehensive scan.
3. Initiate the scan process. This may take some time depending on the size of the USB drive.

Step 5: Preview and Select the Files to Recover

1. After the scan is complete, browse through the list of found files.
2. You may be able to preview files to ensure they're recoverable and in the correct format.
3. Select the files you wish to recover and add them to a recovery list.

Step 6: Recover the Selected Files

1. Choose a location to save the recovered files. It's crucial to avoid saving them back to the USB drive to prevent overwriting any remaining data.
2. Click the "Recover" or similar button to initiate the file restoration process.
3. Wait for the process to finish, and then check the saved location to verify the recovered files.

Additional Tips for USB Data Recovery

• Stop using the USB drive immediately after data loss to increase the chances of successful recovery.
• Regularly backup important files to prevent future data loss.
• Consider using a trial version of data recovery software before purchasing to ensure it works with your specific situation.
• If the built-in tools fail, seek professional data recovery services.

The most efficient and feasible method to recover deleted files from a USB device is by utilizing professional data recovery software. The Data Recovery Wizard, a top-rated data recovery tool, can thoroughly retrieve deleted files from USB flash drives, pen drives, SD cards, HDDs, SSDs, camcorders, digital cameras, and more.

Follow the steps below to recover deleted files from the pen drive/USB drive with just a few clicks.

Step 1. Select the USB drive to scan

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool and select your USB drive where you lost important files. Click "Scan" to begin the process.

Step 2. Check and preview USB drive data

Upon completion of the scan, you can swiftly locate a specific type of file by utilizing the Filter feature as well as the Search option.

Step 3. Restore Flash Drive Data

Upon locating the missing USB drive files, click "Recover" to retrieve them. Ensure you save the recovered files to a secure location on your computer, not back onto the USB drive.

How to Recover Deleted Files from a USB Flash Drive Without Using Software

For users who prefer not to use third-party software to recover USB files, you can attempt the three methods in this section to retrieve files from USB using CMD, Windows Backup, and Previous Versions.

However, these solutions have limitations and requirements. If you haven't backed up your USB drive beforehand, your only option is to use data recovery software to retrieve USB files.

Recover Files from USB Using CMD (Only Hidden Files Recovery)

Command Prompt is a Windows application that is available in all Windows Operating Systems. If your files are not deleted but have gone missing from your USB flash drive or a pen drive, you can utilize this method to recover hidden files on USB using CMD.

Steps to recover deleted files from a USB flash drive using CMD (Command Prompt): 1. Connect the USB flash drive to your computer. 2. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges: - Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard, then choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". 3. Identify the drive letter assigned to your USB flash drive. Type "diskpart" and press Enter. 4. In the DiskPart prompt, type "list disk" and press Enter. This will display all the connected disks. 5. Identify your USB drive number from the list (usually it's the smallest one). Then type "select disk [number]" (replace [number] with the actual disk number) and press Enter. 6. Type "list partition" and press Enter. This will show the partitions on the selected disk. 7. Identify the partition number for the USB drive. Type "select partition [number]" (replace [number] with the actual partition number) and press Enter. 8. Now, create a new folder on your desktop where the recovered files will be stored. Name it something like "Recovered_Files". 9. In the Command Prompt, type "chkdsk /f /r X:" (replace X with the drive letter of your USB drive) and press Enter. The command will scan for errors and try to recover any deleted files. 10. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time depending on the size of the drive. 11. Once done, check the "Recovered_Files" folder on your desktop. You should find your deleted files there. Note: This method may not work in every case, especially if the files have been overwritten. There are also dedicated data recovery software tools that might provide better results.

Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.

Step 2. Click the Search button, type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 3. Run the following command lines in sequence.

Type chkdsk X: /f in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. Be sure to replace "X" with the letter that corresponds to your USB flash drive.

Type attrib -h -r -s G:\*.* /s /d and press Enter. (Note that 'G' represents the USB drive letter. You should replace 'G' with the actual letter of your USB drive as displayed on your computer.)

Next, wait for the process to finish and then close the window. After that, you can check if your files have been restored.

Recover Deleted Files from USB using Previous Versions

Aside from using software or CMD to recover permanently deleted files from USB, you can try another method to restore an earlier version of files in Windows 10/8.1/8/7. Before attempting this method, ensure that you have configured File History to automatically back up your files. If you haven't enabled this feature,放弃这个方法 and resort to using USB drive recovery software instead.

Step 1. Right-click on the folder that contains your deleted files on USB and select "Properties".

Step 2. Click on the "Previous Versions" tab. You'll be informed that previous versions can be obtained from File History or restore points.

Step 3. A list of older versions of the file will be displayed. Choose the file edition you're looking for, and click the "Restore" button to retrieve USB files.

Recover Deleted Files from USB using Windows Backup

If you have previously backed up your data, you can examine those backups. Additionally, check any online or cloud storage services you utilize. It's possible that your files have been synchronized to a cloud storage platform like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive. If you have enabled Windows Backup, you can recover your USB data using that feature.

Step 1. Open "Control Panel", go to "System and Maintenance", and then choose "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".

Step 2. Click "Restore my files".

Step 3. Click "Browse for files" or "Browse for folders" to select the previously created backup.

Step 4. Select a location to save the backup - "In the original location" or "In the following location". If there's a conflict, choose "Copy and Replace", "Don't copy", or "Copy, but keep both files" based on your requirements.

Step 5. Wait for the restoration process to finish. Your permanently deleted files or folders will then reappear on your PC at their original or new location.

Conclusion

Deleting files from a USB drive does not necessarily result in permanent data loss. In this article, we have outlined four methods to recover deleted files from a pen drive, with or without software. Among these, using a reliable data recovery tool provides the highest likelihood of retrieving files from a USB drive. These software solutions support deleted file recovery, formatted recovery, raw drive recovery, and various other data recovery features.

How to Prevent Data Loss from USB Flash Drive/Pen Drive

Protecting your USB data in effective ways is also of utmost importance. If you wish to avoid USB data loss, you can adhere to these tips for assistance:

Regularly Back Up Files Frequently Back Up Your Data

It's a wise decision to automatically back up your files using file backup software. In this case, I recommend utilizing a tool like Todo Backup. This software is user-friendly, so even if you lack technical expertise, you can still create a system image. To back up your data with the assistance of backup and recovery software, follow the steps outlined below: 1. Download and install Todo Backup on your computer. 2. Launch the software and select the "Backup" option from the main interface. 3. Choose the type of backup you want to perform: "System," "Disk," "Partition," or "Files & Folders," depending on your needs. 4. If you selected "System" or "Disk," the software will automatically include all necessary components. For "Partition" or "Files & Folders," browse and select the specific items you wish to back up. 5. Next, specify a destination for your backup. You can choose an external hard drive, network location, or another storage device. 6. You can customize your backup settings by selecting options such as "Incremental Backup" (to save only changes made since the last backup) or "Schedule Backup" (to set automatic backup times). 7. Review your backup settings and click "Start Backup" to initiate the process. 8. Once the backup is complete, you'll receive a notification. Your files are now safely backed up. Remember, you can always refer to the software's built-in help or online tutorials for more detailed instructions.

Step 1. The first time you use Todo Backup to back up files, click Create backup on the home screen, then click the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. Since you're planning to back up files and folders on your computer, proceed with the "File" backup mode. Here, you can choose to back up pictures, videos, documents, and all other file types.

Step 3. Follow the paths to find the files, folders, or directories you want to back up, select them all, and click "OK".

Step 4. Next, you need to choose a backup location to save and store the backup.

Step 5. Todo Backup enables users to save backup files to any device that is convenient for you, such as a local hard drive, external USB drive, SD card, network drive, NAS drive, or even the brand's cloud drive. Personally, we recommend selecting the cloud drive for storing important backups due to its increased accessibility, flexibility, and security.

To access the Tools Cloud, all you need is an email registration and login.

Step 6. If you're interested in an automatic and intelligent backup schedule for the next file backup task, proceed with the "Options" setting. Here, you can encrypt confidential file backups, compress the backup image size, or customize a backup scheme to specify the time for the software to initiate the next backup.

Customize an advanced and automated backup task here:

Step 7. Click "Backup Now" to initiate the file backup process. Your completed backup files will be displayed on the left side in a card view format.

Properly Insert and Eject the USB Flash Drive

When plugging in or disconnecting a USB device from your computer or laptop, ensure that you do so correctly. To safely remove it, right-click on the USB icon and choose the "Eject USB" option. This helps prevent data loss or damage to the device.

Scan and Remove Virus on USB

Use anti-virus software to safeguard your computer from malicious computer viruses, trojans, and other harmful malware. Ensure that you keep your anti-virus software up to date with the newest patches and signature files for optimal protection.