[3 Ways] How to Recover Deleted Files From Flash Drive

USB flash drive (also known as thumb drive, memory stick or pen drive) have gained popularity as portable storage for computers and mobile devices. They are small repositories for all kinds of data, including music, photos and videos from smartphones, cameras, and other handheld devices.

They have now become an necessary part of our lives. However, situations such as accidental deletion (or regret after deleting the targeted data), virus attacks, file system corruption and improper ejection can all lead to data loss. In some cases, issues such as bad sectors and incompatibility can also lead to such unfortunate situations.

Can I restore deleted files from USB stick on my Windows 11 PC?

In Microsoft Community, user Elaine O'Neill asks "I accidentally deleted some pics and videos from a usb stick. I keep forgetting to uncheck boxes of files I previously looked at before I hit delete for the newer file that I do want deleted." And the Independent Advisor Ferds_N answers "I understand that you need to recover deleted files from your USB stick. Unfortunately, files that have been deleted from a USB drive are permanently deleted. The only way to recover them is to install a 3rd party recovery software." 

However, this answer is not entirely accurate. In fact, downloading third-party recovery software is generally the best and most effective way to recover deleted files from a flash drive, as files deleted from a USB drive are permanently removed. Using a professional tool can significantly enhance the success rate of data recovery and ensure that the recovered files are intact and complete. In addition to this, there are other methods you can try to recover deleted files from a USB drive. In the next section, we will list them for you one by one.

How to recover deleted files from flash drive?

To make it as easy as possible to retrieve deleted files from a flash drive, you need to take certain steps as soon as you realize you've lost data. 

How can you recover deleted files from a flash drive? Below are all methods you can use.

Method 1. Run AOMEI FastRecovery

It's upsetting to lose important files, especially when they are permanently deleted from a USB drive. The good news is that there are software tools that can get these files back with sophisticated algorithms like AOMEI FastRecovery. It is a full, professional-level data recovery tool that is very simple to use without learning anything. 

It can not only recover deleted files from USB flash drive, but also it can restore data from many storage devices that are corrupted, formatted, or crashed. It can recover 100+ file types like photos, emails, documents, and more, regardless of whether you are using Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7 or Windows Server. You can even recover data from USB flash drive not recognized.

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

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding 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 recovery process to end.

Method 2. Recover deleted files from USB using CMD

The Command Prompt (CMD) is Windows command line tool that allows users to run commands directly. If you use the command line, here's how to recover deleted files from USB drive:

Step 1. Connect the USB device to the computer and confirm that the system recognizes it.

Step 2. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run window. Type cmd and press Enter to grant access to the Command Prompt window.

Step 3. Enter the command chkdsk g: /r/f/x and press Enter (replace "g" with the exact letter assigned to the USB.)

Step 4. Type attrib -h -r -s /s /d F:\*.* and press Enter (replace "F" with the exact letter assigned to the USB.)

After successful execution, the deleted files should be visible on the USB drive.

Method 3. Recover USB files from Windows Backups

Like File History, the Backup and Restore feature is an integrated Windows backup system that enables data backup and retrieval. It originated in Windows 7 and retained the name "Backup and Restore" in Windows 8, 10, and 11. Creating backups ahead of time can simplify this process.

How to recover deleted files from USB from Windows backups:

Step 1. Access Control Panel > System and Security and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Click Restore my files.

Step 2. In the Restore Files box, use the following options:

Search: Enter a file name fragment to select deleted files for recovery.

Browse for files: Navigate to the folder containing the deleted files, select it, and click Add Files.

Browse folders: Select the entire folder containing deleted files.   

Step 3. Select the location to recover deleted files from the flash drive. You can select the original location or specify a new location. Then, click on Start Restore.

Wait for the process to finish. Look in the chosen place to find the data that was recovered. All files that were deleted permanently will be brought back to the place you choose.

Summary

These are all about how to recover deleted files from flash drive, all of which can be done with or without software.  The best method to get back files from a USB is with AOMEI FastRecovery software. It can get back deleted files, recover data from formatted drives, restore data from raw drives, and do a lot more, even if you want to recover files from a crashed computer.