Unplugging your USB drive while you are in the process of transferring files is not a good decision. Doing so may result in loss of the file if the transfer is not completed. Files may also be lost if the drive is infected with malware or if the power supply to the device is interrupted. If you experience deleted USB files, regardless of how it happened, there are ways to recover them. This article will provide you with various USB file recovery options. Continue reading to learn more.
Recover files with Windows backup
Creating a backup of a USB drive is great in case you lose files and need to recover them. For this to work, the backup must be available when you restore the files.
- Go to the Start menu and type “Control Panel.”
- From the control panel menu, choose “System and Maintenance.”
- Select “Backup and Restore.”
- Choose “Restore my files” to open a wizard with the necessary steps you need to follow.
These steps should help you recover files successfully.
Recover Deleted USB Files Using Command Prompt (CMD)
This is a simple and effective method that you can use if you do not want to download a third-party tool. The command prompt is part of the Windows installation. It works with several commands. Here are the steps you need to follow to use the Windows feature:
- Connect your USB to the computer.
- In the start menu, type “
cmd”And select “Enter” on the keyboard.
- This will open a CMD window where you must write “
chksdsk X: /f” and select “Enter”.
- Write this down: “
ATTRIB-H-R-S /S /D X:*.*”And choose “Enter”. The X should also be replaced here with the letter assigned to your USB drive.
- Wait for the command to execute.
If the process is successful, you will see the deleted files in a new folder on the USB flash drive.
Restore deleted files using software
It can be quite annoying if you lose crucial files on USB, especially when the deletion is permanent. However, there is hope as there are software programs that can be used to restore files. These software options have advanced algorithms to scan your drive and recover lost files successfully.
A third-party software you can use is Disk Drill. It’s a professional-grade solution that’s relatively easy to learn, even for beginners. The software helps to recover damaged, formatted or corrupted files on your USB. To recover deleted files, you need:
- Search Disk Drill on the Internet. Download and install it on your PC.
- Connect the USB from which the files were deleted to the PC.
- Choose “Search for lost data.”
- Preview all files in this window.
- Choose all the files you need to recover.
- Select the “Recover” option.
You can scan USB drive and other devices using the best file recognition algorithms with Disk Drill. These can positively identify any corrupted files and recover them. This software can be tried for free up to 500 MB, after which you will need to pay.
Use the built-in file recovery tool in Windows
Due to the high demand for data recovery software like Disk Drill, Microsoft released its own version, Windows File Recovery. This recovery has been available since Windows 10 version 2004 and later. This option can be used to recover deleted files from USB devices. The only drawback to this option is that it lacks a graphical user interface, making it difficult to compete with third-party software options. To recover files using this method:
- Open Microsoft Store and download “Windows File Recovery”.
- Connect the USB to your PC and master the assigned letter (drive letter).
- Open CMD or Windows Terminal as administrator.
- Enter the command: “
Winfr E: C: /extensive”(the letter E: should be replaced with the letter assigned to the USB drive. Replace the letter C: with the letter assigned to the destination device, the files will be stored after recovery.)
- Wait until the recovery is complete.
Reasons why USB data loss occurs
There are many scenarios that could result in deleting files on a drive, other than unplugging it while the drive is still in use. Other reasons why you could lose your files include:
- USB port power supply issues
- Software errors
- hardware failure
- A USB drive that is physically damaged
- Format a USB drive
- Malware infection
- Accidental or intentional deletion
Regardless of how the file loss occurred, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of a successful recovery.
- Please unplug the flash drive and stop using it when you find that you have lost data.
- Store the USB safely until you have enough time to recover the data.
- Do not try to copy anything from the USB to other locations. This could make things worse.
Preventing USB Data File Loss
It is possible to protect files on a USB drive to prevent loss. You must ensure that:
- Files are backed up: they can be stored in the cloud or on another physical storage device. This way, the files can be accessed in case they are deleted.
- Label flash drives: If you’re not the only one who has access to USB drives, make sure they are clearly labeled to warn others not to delete them.
- Keep drives safe: USB drives can be physically damaged or lost if stored carelessly.
Enable write protection – Consider this for extremely important files. Use the write protection option to prevent accidental modifications or deletions.
Another good option is to reactivate the recycle bin on the USB drive. You may notice that the Recycle Bin is not used when deleting information from storage devices in the latest version of Windows. This means that deleted files are permanently deleted. This is how you can modify the registry to enable the feature:
- On your PC keyboard, press the Windows key and R simultaneously. This will launch the “Run” dialog box.
- In the box, enter “regedit” to access the “Registry Editor” application.
- In the editor, navigate to find
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
- In the “Policies Option”, right-click and choose New > Key. The new key should be named “Explorer”.
- Select Enter.
- Choose “Explorer.” In the right pane, right-click a space and choose New>DWORD (32-bit) from the menu. Name the new value RecycleBinDrives.
- Double-click it and type “fffffff” (do not include the quotes). The best should be “Hexadecimal”. Choose “OK.”
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
A hidden folder $RECYCLE.BIN will be created on the USB drives when they are connected to the PC. Set File Explorer to show hidden files if you want to view them.
Frequently asked questions
Can a damaged USB drive be repaired?
It is not easy to repair a USB drive that has been physically damaged. In such a case, a lot of work is required, such as removing and soldering the chip to another circuit board. This isn’t in everyone’s skill set, but if you’re determined to recover your files, consider taking the drive to a data recovery center.
Recover all your lost USB files
Losing important USB files is something we all fear. However, there is always hope and high chances that files can be recovered using different methods. You may not need to download software to recover files, but it may be necessary in some extreme cases.
