How to Recover Deleted Files from USB Drives [4 Free & Easy Ways]

Can you recover files deleted from a flash drive?

After deletion, the operating system will remove the deleted files from the file category. Then designate the storage space as the free space where is ready to write new data. By overwriting, the deleted data will become irrecoverable and achieve data sanitation.

Thus, it’s more problematic for the second user to recover deleted files from USB drives after data wiping. Wondering how to recover deleted files from flash drive with/without software? Please continue reading.  

Part 1. How to recover deleted files from flash drive without software?

How to recover deleted files from flash drive without software? There’re two scenarios. You can restore the deleted files from backups if you have one. Or, you can recover the hidden files from USB using CMD.

Solution 1. Recover deleted files from USB drives via Previous Versions

As previously stated, this solution closely links to backups. Let’s take previous versions as an example. As the name reveals, this Windows feature can offer several file versions for you. Let’s perform how to restore previous versions of files.

To recover deleted data from a USB flash drive:

Step 1. Connect your USB drive and open File Explore

Plug your USB stick into your PC. Then press “Win + E” to open Windows File Explorer.  

Step 2. Find the folder with the lost files

Locate the folder that contains your needed files and right-click on it. Then click the “Properties” button.

Step 3. Restore your files

Under the Previous Versions tab, “Restore” your selected file version.

Solution 2. Recover deleted files from USB drives using CMD

Hidden files usually are configured by default. And the attrib command aims to modify the file/file folder’s attribute in Windows. Let’s show how to recover deleted files from USB using Command Prompt.

Step 1. Connect your USB drive to the computer. Then enter “cmd” in the search box, and click “Run as administrator” to open it.

Step 2. Type “attrib –h –r –s /s /d G:\*.*” in the command prompt window and hit “Enter” to start the recovery process. Please replace “G” with your USB drive letter.

Step 3. After recovery, open your USB drive and find the new folder that includes your recovered files. You can change its format and destination saved path as you need.

Part 2. How to recover deleted files from flash drives with software?

If Previous Versions and the attrib command fails to work, in this case, you can seek help from data recovery software to recover your files without backups. Please get an overview of these 2 tools before making a decision.

Solution 1. Recover deleted files from USB via free data recovery software

The most effective and feasible way to recover permanently deleted files from USB drive is to use professional data recovery software - MyRecover. With the help of this user-friendly data recovery software, there’s no need for you to recover files using CMD because it has provided a GUI (graphical user interface).

Let’s have a closer look at its functions.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your PC. Then connect the pen drive to the computer.

Step 2. After running the software, hover the mouse over the USB drive and click Scan.

Step 3. You can search your desired files or wait to see all the deleted files and other missing files after scanning automatically.

Step 4. Go to the Deleted files folder, and select the files you want to restore. Then click “Recover x files” and save them in a new location.

👉 If you cannot find your needed files in the Deleted files folder, please go to the Other missing files folder.

Solution 2. Recover deleted files from flash drives via Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery works to help computer-savvy users recover lost files from their local storage devices (internal and external hard drives, USB drives, and SD cards).

Unlike other software, this data recovery tool relies on the command lines to interact with users. Specifically, if you want to utilize Windows File Recovery, it’s unavoidable for you to recover the deleted files using CMD.   

Notes:✎...

Windows File Recovery is only compatible with Windows 10 and above.   

You can use it to recover the lost Word documents, Excel, PPT, PDF, ZIP, JPG, JPEG, etc.

Replace your selected mode and switches in the basic command format line winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches].  

Ensure the source drive (where to store your desired files before data loss) is different from the destination drive (where to store the recovered files).

Four (Extensive, Regular, Segment, and Signature) modes support four (NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and ReFS) file systems.  

Let’s begin with the first three steps to figure out how to use Windows File Recovery.

Step 1. Check the file system of your source drive (flash drive): Connect USB to your PC, and click “This PC” > right-click on the USB > “Properties.”

Step 2. Select a recommended mode after checking the file system of your USB drive and data loss scenarios.

Step 3. Select some common switches you want from the following form.

Step 4. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store by clicking the “Get” button, then install and “Open” it on your PC.

Step 5. Let’s perform how to recover the recently deleted PDF file from your USB (assume the drive letter is “F”) to the destination D drive.

the basic command format: winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]

the adjusted command line: winfr F: D: /regular /n*.pdf

Please enter the adjusted command line in the window, and press “y” to go on. If you want to stop the thumb drive data recovery process, please press the “Ctrl + C” keys.

Further reading: Reasons for USB drives data loss

USB data loss can happen for different reasons. Here are some of the common reasons why data might disappear from a USB drive: 

🎏Accidental Deletion: You might accidentally delete files on your USB drive. If this happens, check your Recycle Bin first, as it may still be there.

🐱‍👤Viruses and Malware: Viruses or malware can infect your USB drive, causing files to disappear or get corrupted.

🎊Drive Formatting: If you format your USB drive, all files are erased. Sometimes, you may be able to recover them, but a full format makes it harder.

🎇Physical Damage: Dropping, bending, or exposing your USB to water or heat can physically damage it, causing data loss.

💥 Power Problems: If the USB drive loses power while data is being written, files can become corrupted.

🎆 Hardware Failure: USB drives can break down over time. A hardware issue might make it hard or impossible to access your files.

🐱‍🏍Software Issues: Problems with your computer’s software or operating system can also corrupt files on your USB drive.

Conclusion

This post lists four methods for you to recover hidden/deleted files from USB drives. If your files are hidden, you can make them visible by the attrib command. For the deleted files, you can restore them with backups or use data recovery software like MyRecover.  MyRecover is easy to use and effective, so why wouldn’t you consider it?

And here comes the best data loss prevention tip for you: make regular backups with Windows features or free backup software - AOMEI Backupper.