Forum Discussion
How to Recover Deleted Files from USB Drive for Free?
I accidentally deleted important files from my USB drive. These files are crucial for an ongoing project, and I'm hoping to recover them as soon as possible. I’ve tried a few basic recovery steps, but I’m not having any luck, and I'm uncertain about the best methods to use on a Windows PC. If anyone has experience or tips on how to recover deleted files from USB drive, I would greatly appreciate your help!
I've heard of various USB data recovery software options, but I’m not sure which ones are reliable or if I should try any built-in Windows features first. Additionally, I’m concerned about overwriting the deleted files, so I want to make sure I approach this correctly. I’m eager to recover my files and get back on track with my work.
Op, some users mentioned using CMD to recover deleted files from a USB drive, but that's not correct. The CHKDSK command is only used to fix logical errors on the drive, while the attrib command makes files hidden by malware or viruses visible again. Clearly, your files were lost due to deletion, not any other reason.
Using a Backup is definitely the safest and most convenient way to recover deleted files from a USB drive. If you don't have a backup, try some free data recovery software like R-Photo or Windows File Recovery.
If you want to recover deleted data from a removable device, built-in tools like File History won't be able to help, unless they were configured in advance.
For more information, grab some coffee and read this blog post: https://www.analyticsinsight.net/tech-news/how-to-recover-deleted-files-from-usb-drive-in-2024
- Check the Recycle Bin. This is the first place to restore deleted files from USB after deletion. If you are lucky enough, then there is a high chance to retrieve the deleted files from USB without any software!
Jedidiahin Cloud services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox often include automatic backup features, which ensure that your data is continuously synced and stored securely. If you have set up cloud backup for your USB drive, you can easily recover deleted files from USB drive for free by accessing your cloud account from any device with internet connectivity.
Simply navigate to the specific folder or use the search function to locate the deleted files, and then download them back to your USB drive. This method not only simplifies the recovery process but also adds an extra layer of protection against data loss due to hardware failures or accidental deletions.
It can be done with the command prompt (CMD) utility on any Windows PC. CMD is a powerful tool that allows you to execute commands directly to the Windows operating system. One common method involves using the "chkdsk" command, which checks the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. By executing "chkdsk X: /f", (where "X" is the drive letter of your USB drive), you can repair file system issues that might be preventing access to your files。
Another useful command to recover deleted files from USB using CMD is "attrib", which can help in recovering hidden or system files that might not appear in File Explorer. By running "attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*", you can change the attributes of all files and directories on the USB drive.This command is particularly helpful if files were accidentally marked as hidden or system files, which can sometimes happen during accidental deletions or file transfers. Once the attributes are reset, you can navigate through the USB drive and manually search for the recovered files.
- Not everyone has their USB drive constantly synced to the cloud, right? If you've been using your USB as a temporary storage for files and didn't set up the backup feature, then you're pretty much out of luck. Plus, some of us (me included) often forget to transfer files to the cloud.
- Using CMD to recover deleted files from USB drive can sound efficient and clever, it definitely comes with its fair share of challenges. As the Command Prompt can feel like a secret club for tech nerds. Typing in commands and figuring out the syntax can trip up even the most seasoned computer users. I’ve had my fair share of moments where I typed something wrong or didn’t know which drive letter to use and ended up just sitting there, feeling lost. It can be frustrating!
If you want to recover deleted files from USB without software, I find it almost impossible to do so, especially when it comes to checking the Recycle Bin. Since, the Recycle Bin only works for files that were deleted in Windows. If you delete something straight from your USB drive, it often bypasses the Recycle Bin entirely. I've totally been there: I accidentally delete a super important file from my USB, and I'm like, “No worries, I'll just check the Recycle Bin!” And then... blank.
Then there's the issue of the Recycle Bin getting full. If you've got a lot of files or don't empty the bin often, the older files start getting permanently deleted to make room for new ones. So, if that USB file was an older one, there's a good chance it won't even be in there anymore. You'd basically be wasting time looking for something that's just not there.
And let's not forget about file formats. Certain files, especially ones saved in specific applications or with unusual extensions, might not even end up in the Recycle Bin.- I agree with Zevam first check the recycle bin. if that doesn't work, try the Windows File recovery software of Microsoft. This would be helpful to you but if it doesn’t work you can try recovery software like Stellar or Recuva. These have free tools that will help you recover lost files. Avoid overwriting of data by halting its use. So the recovery process on a different drive.
Once you lose your data, you should not continue to use your USB drive to avoid the data overwriting problem you mentioned. If your data is very important, it is recommended that you directly choose a reliable and free data recovery tool to help you quickly retrieve important files.
Other methods, such as using Windows Backups to retrieve data, require that you have a backup, which it sounds like you don't have. This blog explains some ways to recover deleted files from USB without software, hope it's be helpful https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/recover-deleted-files-from-usb-flash-drive-without-software-ada-scott-7z7ac/
