How to Recover Deleted Files from a Memory Card

Can I Recover Deleted Files from the Memory Card?

A memory card (SD card) is a great option for many users to store data in portable electronic devices, such as phones, cameras, and more. However, crucial files will inevitably be deleted by mistake while using it. Don’t panic! This post will show you how to recover deleted files from a memory card effectively.

Essential Steps Before Recovery

Before you attempt the file recovery, follow these essential steps to protect your data from further loss.

★ Step 1. Stop using the SD memory card right away when you learn your files have been deleted. When files are deleted from a memory card, they are not immediately erased; instead, their storage space is marked as available for new data. If new data overwrites this space, recovery becomes difficult or impossible.

★ Step 2. Back up the data on the memory card to another storage device or the cloud. This can avoid unexpected file loss during the recovery process.

★ Step 3. After backing up your data, it’s time to recover your files. The faster you act, the higher your chances of recovery. Read this post to learn about five recovery solutions and pick the one that works best for you.

How to Recover Deleted Files from Memory Cards?

Deleting important files from memory cards can be frustrating, but there are some effective ways to get them back. This section provides five different ways to recover deleted files from SD memory cards. Select the one that best suits your needs.

Method 1. Check Your Recycle Bin

If the memory card was connected to a Windows PC when files were deleted, they might be in the Recycle Bin. Follow these steps to recover your deleted files easily:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.

Step 2. Look for your deleted files.

Step 3. If found, right-click and choose “Restore” to return them to their original location on your memory card.

Method 2. Restore Files from a Memory Card via CMD

If your files are still missing, consider using the command lines to restore them. This way can remove any hidden, read-only, or system attributes that might prevent access to your files and repair the memory card if it is corrupted. Here’s how to recover deleted files from an SD memory card via CMD:

Step 1. Connect the memory card to your computer.

Step 2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box; then type cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.

Step 3. In CMD window, type chkdsk C: /f /r (replace "C" with the drive letter of your memory card) and press Enter.

Step 4. Next, type ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D C:*.* and press Enter. This command will remove any hidden, read-only, or system attributes that might prevent access to your files.

Step 5. Check if the files have been recovered to your memory card. They usually are restored in a new folder.

Method 3. Recover Deleted Files from a Memory Card Using Software

What if the files are deleted and cannot be found in the Recycle Bin? Don’t panic—many advanced tools can fix the problem quickly and easily. If you are tired of the time-consuming recovery steps and want an easy way to recover deleted files from an SD memory card, using AOMEI FastRecovery is a great choice.

It is a professional data recovery tool designed to recover files from SD cards and other storage devices. Whether your data is lost due to accidental deletion, system crashes, or virus infections, AOMEI FastRecovery can easily retrieve it.

▸Recover deleted or lost data from various storage devices, including SD memory cards, HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and more. ▸Preview files for free before recovery to ensure you restore the right ones. ▸An user-friendly interface designed for users with minimal experience. ▸Fully compatible with Windows PCs (11, 10, 8, 7) and Windows Server systems.

Here’s how to use AOMEI FastRecovery to recover deleted files from memory cards:

Step 1: Connect the memory card to your computer first. Then launch AOMEI FastRecovery and choose the exact partition or drive where your files are located.

Step 2: Scan your drive to find the desired data. It 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 missing files will be displayed. Select the files that you want to restore and click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the recovered files and wait for the process to complete.

Method 4. Recover Deleted Files from Backups

Can I recover deleted files from a memory card without using third-party software? Sure! You can recover files from backups. There are various backup tools or services you can choose. For example, Windows offers a built-in feature called Backup and Restore, allowing you to back up essential data in case of accidental loss. Here’s how to recover deleted files on an SD memory card using backups:

Step 1: Go to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore in turn.

 

Step 2: Click Restore my files.

Step 3: Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.

Step 4: Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

Method 5. Contact a Professional Data Recovery Service

If the above solutions cannot help you recover deleted files from memory cards, it is highly recommended to turn to professional data recovery services. This method is also applied to the situation where your memory cards are physically damaged.

Although these services can be costly, they greatly increase the possibility of recovering missing data. Choose a trusted data recovery service with rich experience in data recovery.

FAQs About Data Recovery on Memory Cards

Q1: Can files be recovered from a formatted memory card?

Yes, even after formatting an SD memory card, recovery is still possible. Formatting doesn't immediately erase the data; it simply removes the file system reference. Using specialized recovery tools like AOMEI FastRecovery, you can scan the card to retrieve as much data as possible.

Q2: Is it possible to recover deleted files from a corrupted memory card?

If the memory card is only slightly corrupted, utilities like CHKDSK can help fix minor issues and access the deleted files. However, if your card is severely damaged, you might need to ask for help from professional data recovery services.

Q3: Can I recover permanently deleted files without using the software?

Yes, recovering permanently deleted files from a memorycard without software is available only if you've previously made backups or copies. Otherwise, the recovery process can be challenging.

Final Words

SD memory cards are commonly used for everyday tasks, but losing important files from them is sometimes unavoidable. Don’t worry! This post outlines five easy and effective methods to recover deleted files from a memory card.

AOMEI FastRecovery stands out for its ease of use, free recovery for a trial, and impressive success rate, making it a highly recommended option for restoring lost data. Why not download it for free and give it a try?