How to retrieve deleted files from SD card using CMD? Read this guide to learn how to use Windows File Recovery with a graphical user interface to recover deleted files in Windows 10/11.
SD card/memory card is used to save personal files, including photos, videos, and music for portable storage devices. In addition, it can help users to save and transfer files between computers and laptops.
However, sometimes the memory card stops working suddenly. Memory card can't be accessed or needs to be formatted, memory card not found, etc. The most common reason is that files on the memory card have been accidentally erased or missing.
Have you ever lost data from an SD card, such as photos, videos, or documents? After deleting files from SD cards, you can't find files in the Recycle Bin. Are you wondering if is it possible to recover deleted files from an SD card? How to retrieve deleted files from SD card using CMD? How to view the hidden files on an SD card? Reading the following to learn how to retrieve deleted/lost files from SD cards using CMD.
When you found some files in the SD card lost, they may be hidden instead of deleted. You could show hidden files on an SD card or flash drive using CMD. It is critical to know the reasons for SD card hidden files in order to avoid more problems in the future. The following are some possible causes:
Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer via a card reader.
Step 2. Press the Windows + R keys and input “CMD” in the Run window.
Step 3. After the command prompt window opens, input the “attrib” command to make hidden files visible. The entire command should be “attrib -h -r -s /s /d E:\*.*” (Replace E with the drive letter of the SD card”.
How to retrieve deleted files from SD card using CMD? If you permanently deleted files from your SD card, you could try the Microsoft official command-line app-Windows File Recovery. This is a free tool to help users recover lost or deleted files from local storage drives. Currently, it only supports Windows 10 2004 and above.
You could use the tool to scan your disk to recover deleted files. There are several scanning modes available (regular, extensive, segment, signature). Windows File Recovery is compatible with the NTFS, ReFS, FAT, and exFAT file systems and can recover lost files from HDD/SSD/USB drive/memory card. If you are not familiar with cmd, you can try another data recovery software-MyRecover.
Here is the format of the Windows File Recovery command and common syntax to use:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
/regular: regular mode only supports non-corrupted NTFS drives.
/extensive: extensive mode supports for all file systems.
/n: specify scanning by a file name, file path, file type, or wildcards.
/y: recover special extensions separated by commas.
Step 1. Download and install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store.
Step 2. Connect the SD card to your computer. After the computer recognizes the memory card, right-click the external drive, and select “Properties” to check the file system.
Step 3. Decide command mode and switches according to your file system and loss scenarios.
File system |
Circumstances |
Recommended mode |
NTFS |
Deleted recently |
Regular |
NTFS |
Deleted a while ago |
Extensive |
NTFS |
After formatting a disk |
Extensive |
NTFS |
A corrupted disk |
Extensive |
FAT and exFAT |
Any |
Extensive |
For example:
If you want to recover your Workshop folder from your F: drive to the recovery folder on an E: drive, the right command should be the following one. Please do not forget the backslash (\) at the end of the folder.
Winfr F: E: /regular /n \Workshop\
From the above tutorial, it’s not hard to see Windows File Recovery is difficult to use for common users. Because it’s a command-line application. If you input the wrong commands, you will get kinds of errors.
How to recover deleted files from SD cards efficiently? The easiest and highest recovery success rate to recover deleted files from SD cards is data recovery software. MyRecover is highly recommended to recover missing files from SD card, even if the SD card is formatted. The powerful data recovery software can also recover deleted files from computers, external hard drives, and other Windows storage devices.
Step 1. Launch MyRecover on your computer. Hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.
Step 2. The program runs the scanning process quickly and finds deleted files and other missing files in the SD card.
Here, you can use Search or Filter feature to locate your deleted files from SD card faster.
Step 3. During scanning, you could recover any file you want. Select the file or the folder that you want to recover and click "Recover files".
For more methods to retrieve delete files without cmd, please check: recover deleted files from S card.
The three methods above have solved the question “how to retrieve deleted files from SD card using CMD”. But it’s difficult for ordinary users to input commands correctly. You could try the free data recovery software-MyRecover to recover deleted or lost files from local storage devices with simple clicks.
To avoid data loss in the future, the best way is to make a regular backup of important data. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. AOMEI Backupper is recommended to everyone! It has multi-functions to back up, restore, and clone your system and data in your schedule easily. It’s a necessary tool for keeping vital data safe.