PNY SD Card Recovery: Retrieve Your Files Successfully

Do you know how to achieve PNY SD card recovery? Learn different techniques and proper methods to recover files from SD cards in a breeze in this post.

By @Lora Last Updated December 11, 2024

How do I recover data from a PNY flash drive or SD cards?

PNY Technologies is a renowned manufacturer of flash memory cards (such as SD cards, CF cards, and Memory Sticks), USB flash drives, SSDs, and other reliable devices. PNY memory cards are frequently employed in cameras from popular brands like Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony, Kodak, Fuji, etc.

These PNY devices have gained a solid reputation and widespread popularity due to their exceptional quality.

However, data loss incidents can affect any device, including durable ones. If you use SD cards/USB flash drives to store and transfer files from digital cameras to computers, chances are you've experienced file loss at some point.

For example, you may have found your SD card deleting files by itself after visiting unknown sites from emails or so, which indicates that your SD card has been infected by viruses.

Whether it's accidental deletion, virus attacks, system crashes, or other unforeseen circumstances, users often encounter memory card data loss.

This problem also affects PNY SD card/thumb drive users who have lost files and are uncertain about how to recover their precious photos, documents, videos, and other important files.

Fortunately, there are several trustworthy methods you can try to retrieve your lost information effectively.

Is it possible for users to achieve PNY micro SD card data recovery?

Similar to any other storage medium, there are various techniques you can employ to recover files from PNY SD cards, depending on the severity of data loss. Let's first check the underlying causes.

Tips: It's important to note that the methods discussed in this article mainly rely on third-party data recovery programs that enable you to retrieve files independently. However, in extreme cases of data compromise, it might be necessary to consult a professional data recovery service for a thorough examination of your memory card.

Causes of data loss on PNY SD cards/USB flash drives

Given the widespread usage of PNY SD cards, USB flash drives, solid-state drives, and other storage devices, data loss incidents on PNY devices are common.

Accidental formatting of the camera, which actually formats the memory card, can lead to the loss of valuable photos. Additionally, there are various other situations that necessitate PNY data recovery:

Accidental deletion while viewing files on mobile phones, cameras, Windows computers, etc. E.g., it is not rare to have accidentally deleted photos from SD cards for users who use cameras a lot.  
PNY cards are infected by viruses/malware, resulting in file loss.  
PNY card errors such as file system corruption (becoming RAW) or inaccessibility of SD card data. In this case, you need RAW SD card recovery solutions.

These situations highlight the need for data recovery tools specifically designed for PNY devices.

Now, with the potential reasons clear, it is time to check the solutions to recover files from SD cards of PNY easily.

3 Methods to recover files from SD cards of PNY

Discover the different approaches available for recovering files from PNY SD cards.

Method 1. Use effective PNY SD card recovery software

One of the best do-it-yourself methods for PNY micro SD card data recovery is by utilizing high-quality SD card recovery tools. With the advanced scanning techs of apps, you could save time and labor.

Among plenty of eligible data rescue programs, your second-to-none choice is MyRecover.

This exceptional recovery application offers a user-friendly interface, impressive success rates, compatibility with a wide range of file formats and storage media, and a host of additional features.

Its advanced scanning methods enable quick data scanning, supporting over 200 file types, including png/jpg/gif/mov/avi/mp4/mp3/wav/docx/xlsx/pdf/html/zip/rar/cr2/nef, etc. 
Supported by a skilled team with a decade of experience, MyRecover ensures a competent and efficient user experience. 
It is compatible with Windows operating systems, including Win 11/10/8/7/Server, allowing server users to recover files from Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and more.

Follow the steps below to retrieve your lost data using MyRecover:

Download SoftwareWin 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Step 1. Install and launch MyRecover > then connect the SD card > hover the mouse over the drive and click Scan to scan.

Step 2. Files detected on SD cards are most fragmented due to frequent write and delete operations. Thus, your files on the PNY SD cards/USB flash drives will be scanned with Deep Scan and listed under the Other missing files folder. You could sort them by specific file types.

Step 3. Check the Other missing files folder > choose Images or any file types you need > choose the target files > Recover x files.

Currently, you could perform 30 MB of free data recovery every try; also, by upgrading MyRecover to the Pro/Tech versions, you can enjoy unlimited data recovery.

Method 2. Recover files from PNY SD cards using PNY PHOTORECOVERY

PNY offers its own PNY SD card recovery software called PHOTORECOVERY. Despite its name, this software not only recovers photos but also helps retrieve lost or deleted videos, music, text files, spreadsheets, and various other file types.

However, the interface of this software appears outdated, reminiscent of the early 2000s design.

The free version allows you to scan your storage medium for recoverable files, but the actual recovery process requires purchasing the program, which can be quite expensive considering its quality.

Follow these steps to scan your storage medium using PHOTORECOVERY:

Notes:✎...
According to PNY, this official tool only supports data recovery from SD cards but not hard drives.

Step 1. Download the PNY PHOTORECOVERY installation file from the official website and install it > launch the application and select the file types and device manufacturer you want to recover > Next.

Step 2. Choose your PNY SD card from the list of available storage mediums > Next.

Step 3. Then PHOTORECOVERY – PNY Edition will scan your device and show recoverable files for you. Choose what you need and restore it to the target place you would like.

Method 3. Restore data from PNY SD cards using commands

Typically, when attempting to recover files from a local hard drive, users rely on Windows backups or try to restore previous versions of files.

However, these backup functions are not useful for memory cards and external storage media, as they only store copies of files from a local drive. In such cases, a file recovery application like Windows File Recovery can be helpful.

Using different recovery modes and switches, this command-line utility scans the hard disk for deleted and missing files. Follow these simple steps to learn how to use Windows File Recovery.

Notes:✎...
This app is only available for Windows 10 version 19041.0 and above versions.

Step 1. Insert the SD card using a card reader and access the Properties of the SD card drive in This PC to determine the file system it's using.

Step 2. Select an appropriate recovery mode based on the type of drive (extensive mode for non-NTFS drives).

File system Scenarios mode
NTFS Deleted recently Regular
NTFS Deleted for a while Extensive
NTFS Formatted disk Extensive
NTFS corrupted disk Extensive
FAT and exFAT Any Extensive

Step 3. Utilize switches to filter the files you wish to target.

Switches Meaning Supported mode(s)
/n Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. All
/y: Recovers specific extension groups. Signature
/k Recovers system files. NTFS Segment​​​​​
/segment Segment mode; recovers files under NTFS drives using file record segments. Segment
/signature Signature mode; recovers files under all file system types using file headers. Signature
/u Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. NTFS Segment

Step 4.  Go to Microsoft Store > click Get to install it.

Step 5. Enter the command to scan the hard disk, specifying the source and destination drives.

Command format: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

Example command: winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.jpg

This command facilitates the recovery of lost pictures from the SD card, with all recovered photos stored in the specified destination drive.

Tips:
  • Please note that filenames and paths will be lost in this process.
  • If any errors occur, refer to the Windows File Recovery troubleshooting tutorial for assistance.

FAQ

 

Conclusion

Considering the outdated nature, lack of a free trial, and the relatively high price of PNY's own data recovery software, as well as the complex Windows File Recovery commands, MyRecover remains the recommended option for PNY SD card recovery.

However, if your PNY SD cards and USB flash drives are severely physically damaged, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a professional data recovery service near you. They can provide a dust-free lab to manage to extract data from your devices.