Forum Discussion
How to recover data from a corrupted flash drive on Windows PC?
I’m in need of some urgent help. My USB flash drive has suddenly become corrupted, and I can’t access any of the files on it. I’m using a Windows 10 PC, and every time I try to open the drive, I either get an error message saying the drive needs to be formatted, or it just doesn’t show any of my files.
I have some important documents and photos on the drive that I really need to recover. I haven’t formatted the drive yet, as I know this could lead to permanent data loss. Can anyone guide me on how to recover data from a corrupted flash drive on Windows PC? I’ve heard there might be some software tools or methods that can help, but I’m not sure where to start.
I had this problem with my USB before. When I plugged it in, it prompted to format and all the files were gone. Later, I used AisseeSoft Data Recovery and actually recovered most of the files. It was a lifesaver! I suggest you don't format it, try this tool!
I followed this tutorial: (it works well.)
https://www.uumeo.com/recover-data-from-a-corrupted-hard-drive-on-windows
OP, running CHKDSK on a USB drive might seem like a potential solution, but it could also be a disaster. If your drive is already close to failing, CHKDSK just mess things up.
I don't agree with Nixondu’s point. Basically, built-in tools like File History aren't helpful. These tools won't automatically detect or back up your external devices unless you've set them up in advance.
What I'm saying is, if you had a backup, you wouldn't be searching for solutions on Google.
You could try some free data recovery tools like R-Photo or UFS Explorer, but keep in mind they can only recover data from logically damaged drives. If your USB drive is severely damaged, it’s best to seek professional help right away. Without specialized tools, it’s almost impossible to fix a damaged drive on your own.
Hope this blog helps: https://mashmagazine.co.uk/how-to-recover-files-from-corrupted-usb-drive/
Thx! It worked for me.
I had this problem with my USB before. When I plugged it in, it prompted to format and all the files were gone. Later, I used AisseeSoft Data Recovery and actually recovered most of the files. It was a lifesaver! I suggest you don't format it, try this tool!
I followed this tutorial: (it works well.)
https://www.uumeo.com/recover-data-from-a-corrupted-hard-drive-on-windows
Irakoim To recover data from OneDrive on Windows 11, you can follow these steps. First, sign in to your Microsoft account and go to the OneDrive website. Click on the "Settings" icon and select "View all files" from the dropdown menu.
This will display a list of all your files and folders stored in OneDrive. Next, click on the "Restore your OneDrive" option at the bottom of the page. Select the date and time you want to restore from and click "Restore" to recover the files from corrupted USB drive.
Recovering data from a corrupted flash drive can be a bit of a hassle, but it's definitely doable! I've gone through this situation before. Sometimes, a simple reconnection can do the trick. Unplug the flash drive and plug it back in. Make sure you’re using a different USB port if possible. This might sound basic, but you'd be surprised how often it works!
And you can check disk utility:- Open Command Prompt: Search for "Command Prompt" in the start menu, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator."
- Run CHKDSK: Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your flash drive letter) and hit Enter. This command checks for file system errors and can sometimes fix them. It’ll take a bit of time, but let it do its thing!
I once had a drive that wouldn't open, and running CHKDSK salvaged a ton of files. It was a lifesaver!
Wow, thank you so much! I was sure my data was gone for good or that it would be beyond my limited tech skills to recovery it. But I tried your simple (and it was really simple) suggestion and it worked! Clydero
- Try plugging the flash drive into another computer. Sometimes, the problem might actually be with the USB ports or the computer's settings, not the drive itself. If you still can't recover your data, you might want to consider professional data recovery services, they could salvage what you thought was gone forever.
Once you're able to recover data from your corrupted flash drive, please make sure to back them up somewhere safe. Cloud storage has become a lifesaver for me—it's just so convenient. Irakoim You can use the File History feature to recover data from a corrupted USB flash drive on a Windows PC using File History, you'll need to connect the corrupted flash drive to your PC and enable File History. First, open File History by clicking on the Start button, typing "File History" in the search bar, and selecting the "File History" option from the results. Once File History is open, click on the "Turn on" button to enable it. This will allow Windows to start backing up your files and data from the corrupted flash drive to a safe location on your PC.
Next, you'll need to access the backup files from File History. To do this, click on the "Restore your files" button in File History, and then select the date range from which you want to recover data. You can then browse through the list of files and folders that were backed up during that time period, and select the ones you want to restore. Once you've selected the files you want to recover, click on the "Restore" button to save them to a safe location on your PC.
Note that File History may not be able to recover all of your data, especially if the corruption is severe. However, it's worth trying as it can often recover important files and documents.
Yes, you can't directly format the drive, which will lead to permanent data loss. When faced with a corrupted USB flash drive, it's important to act carefully to avoid further damage and to maximize the chances of data recovery. Here are the correct ways to rescue your data and repair corrupted USB:
FIRST, Stop using the drive.
Do not write any new data to the drive or attempt to format it, as this could overwrite your existing files and make recovery more difficult.
SECOND, Check hardware issues
Before attempting software-based recovery, ensure that the issue is not hardware-related. Try plugging the drive into a different USB port or even a different computer to see if the problem persists.
NEXT, use a file recovery tool to restore important files. Find a reliable data recovery software to scan and restore your files. If you had File History enabled on the drive, you might be able to restore previous versions of your files.
This is the tutorial you can follow to recover data from a USB drive: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2489771/usb-data-recovery-how-to-recover-deleted-files-from-usb.html
LAST, repair your USB drive.
Use Check Disk (chkdsk): Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type chkdsk X: /f /r (replace "X" with the drive letter of your flash drive). This command will scan the drive for errors and attempt to fix them.
If the above methods do not work, you may need to seek out professional data recovery services. These services can be expensive but are often the last resort when all else fails.
