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ImmaArlo's avatar
ImmaArlo
Copper Contributor
Jun 17, 2025

How to recover files from corrupted USB drive on Windows 10?

Recently, I ran into a frustrating issue with my USB flash drive that left me feeling completely stuck. I plugged it into my Windows 10 PC, and while the drive did show up in File Explorer, I couldn’t open it. Instead, I got an error that said: "E:\ is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable."

One day the USB was working fine, and the next day, I couldn’t access anything. The worst part is that this drive holds a lot of important family photos. So, formatting the USB drive (as many people suggest online) isn’t really an option for me right now. 

I’ve seen some people suggest using data recovery tools, but I’m not sure which ones actually work, or if I should go to a professional. Has anyone successfully recovered files from a corrupted USB like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

usb
windows

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  • EaisomLee's avatar
    EaisomLee
    Iron Contributor
    Jun 26, 2025

    Always recover files to a different drive to avoid overwriting. Be cautious with free recovery tools; some may have limitations or adware. Avoid trying to repair or format the drive until you’ve tried recovery options.

  • yishidehearttiao's avatar
    yishidehearttiao
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 24, 2025

    Have you tried running the chkdsk command? It’s a built-in Windows utility that can sometimes fix file system errors without deleting your data.

    Here's how you can try it:

    • Press Windows + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    • Type and run the chkdsk E: /f /r /x command (replace E: with the letter of your USB drive).

    This won't always work, but it's a safe first step and definitely worth trying before anything more complicated. Let us know how it goes.

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