How Can I Recover Deleted Files from Pen Drive [4 Ways]

What causes USB data loss?

Data loss from USB drives can occur for various reasons beyond unplugging the device while in use. Some common causes include:

❋ Accidental file deletion.

❋ Malware infections.

❋ USB drive formatting.

❋ Physical damage to the drive.

❋ Hardware malfunctions.

❋ Software glitches.

❋ Inconsistent power supply to USB ports.

Regardless of the cause, certain steps can improve your chances of successfully recovering lost files:

1. Stop using the USB drive immediately upon noticing data loss to prevent overwriting.

2. Safely remove the drive from your computer and keep it stored in a secure location until recovery begins.

3. Avoid copying or writing new data to the drive, as this could further hinder recovery efforts.

With these precautions in mind, let’s explore four reliable methods to recover files from USB drives.

How can I recover deleted files from pen drive?

Before turning to third-party recovery tools, it’s worth exploring built-in commands in Windows for USB data recovery. The attrib command can reveal hidden files, providing a straightforward solution for seemingly lost data. Similarly, the chkdsk command can repair file system errors on corrupted drives, restoring functionality effectively.

Method 1. Use the Previous Versions feature

The Restore Previous Versions feature, available in recent Windows versions (7, 8, 10, and 11), enables file recovery without external tools. However, this method requires that the feature was enabled before the files were deleted.

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

Step 2. Open the Start menu, type "This PC", and press Enter.

Step 3. Right-click on your USB drive and select Properties.

Step 4. Navigate to the Previous Versions tab to view available recovery points.

Step 5. Choose a version from the list and click Restore.

If no previous versions are listed, this method won’t work. In such cases, proceed to the next recovery solutions.

Method 2. Recover deleted files from USB using CMD

This recovery method leverages Windows' built-in Command Prompt (CMD) tools. While not the simplest or most efficient, it doesn’t require third-party software or pre-activated features, making it accessible to all Windows users. CMD includes all the necessary commands to recover files from a USB drive.

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

Step 2. Open the Start menu, type "cmd", and press Enter to launch Command Prompt.

Step 3. In the Command Prompt window, type:

chkdsk C: /f /r  

Replace "X" with the letter assigned to your USB drive, then press Enter.

Step 4. Next, type the following command and press Enter:

ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*  

Again, replace "X" with the appropriate drive letter.

Step 5. Wait for the process to complete. If successful, the deleted files will appear in a newly created folder on your USB drive, ready for review and restoration.

Method 3. Recover data from USB drive with third-party software

Losing important files from a USB drive can be a frustrating ordeal, especially when they seem permanently gone. Fortunately, specialized software solutions can come to the rescue. These tools employ sophisticated algorithms to thoroughly scan your USB drive and recover lost data with impressive accuracy.

AOMEI FastRecovery offers a comprehensive, professional-grade tool that simplifies the recovery process. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible even to users with minimal technical knowledge, enabling file restoration with ease.

This powerful software is capable of recovering files from USB drives affected by corruption, accidental formatting, system crashes, or physical damage, making it an essential tool for tackling a wide range of data loss scenarios.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.

Method 4. Use Windows File Recovery to get back deleted files

To meet the rising demand for data recovery tools, Microsoft introduced its own solution: Windows File Recovery. This application, available for Windows 10 version 2004 and later, enables users to recover deleted files from USB drives. However, it lacks a graphical interface, making it less user-friendly compared to tools like Disk Drill.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Connect your USB flash drive to the computer and note the drive letter assigned to it.

Step 3. Launch Windows Terminal or Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 4. Enter the following command and press Enter:

winfr C: E: /extensive /n \C:\Recycler\*.zip

Note: Replace E: with your USB drive letter and C: with the drive letter of the storage location for recovered files.

Step 5. Wait for the recovery process to complete. While effective, the lack of a user-friendly interface makes this tool better suited for users familiar with command-line operations.

Conclusion

Data loss from USB drives can be stressful, but with the right tools and techniques, recovery is often possible. Whether you’re using built-in Windows utilities like Previous Versions, Command Prompt, or Windows File Recovery, or opting for a professional solution like AOMEI FastRecovery, there are plenty of options to help retrieve your lost files.

To minimize future data loss risks, always back up critical files, use antivirus software to protect against malware, and safely eject USB drives before unplugging them. Taking these precautions ensures the safety of your data and reduces the need for recovery in the first place.