How to recover deleted files from usb

​Losing important files from a USB drive can be a nerve-wracking experience. Whether it’s a school project, a work presentation, cherished photos, or critical documents, the accidental deletion of data from a USB flash drive can feel like a small disaster. Fortunately, the good news is that deleted files from a USB are often not truly gone. With the right approach and timely action, you can recover most, if not all, of your lost files.

However, when a file is deleted, the operating system doesn’t actually erase the file itself. Instead, it marks the space previously occupied by that file as “free” for new data to overwrite. Until new data takes its place, the deleted file often remains intact on the USB drive and is recoverable.

This is why it’s crucial to stop using the USB drive immediately after data loss. Any further activity could overwrite the deleted data, making recovery far more difficult or even impossible.

Common Causes of USB Data Loss

Understanding what led to the data loss can help you take more targeted recovery steps. Here are some typical scenarios:

Accidental deletion: Clicking “Delete” instead of “Copy,” or using Shift + Delete without realizing there’s no recovery bin on USB drives.

Formatting the drive: Sometimes users format the drive by mistake, especially when prompted by the system due to drive errors.

Corruption: A sudden power outage, improper ejection, or malware infection can corrupt the file system, making data inaccessible.

File system errors: Errors such as RAW format or unrecognized file systems often render USB drives unreadable.

Virus attacks: Malware can hide or delete files, or damage the file system to the point where files become invisible or inaccessible.

Now that you know how data can be lost and why it can still be recovered, let’s explore the step-by-step process of recovering deleted files from a USB drive.

Step 1: Stop Using the USB Drive Immediately

As soon as you realize that files have been deleted from your USB drive, stop using it. Do not save any new files to it, do not attempt to format it, and do not run disk cleanup utilities on it. Any of these actions could permanently overwrite the files you’re trying to recover.

Unplug the drive and, if possible, make a backup image of it using disk imaging software. This precaution ensures you have a safety net to fall back on in case something goes wrong during the recovery process.

Step 2: Choose a Recovery Method

There are multiple ways to attempt file recovery, and your choice will depend on the cause of the data loss, your level of technical expertise, and whether you prefer using third-party software or built-in tools.

Here are your main recovery options:

Use Data Recovery Software: Ideal for most users and scenarios, especially for deleted files or formatted drives.

Use Command Prompt (CMD): Suitable for more advanced users, can be helpful for recovering hidden or corrupted files.

Professional Recovery Services: Best for physically damaged USB drives or when other methods fail.

Let’s dive into each method.

Step 3: Use USB File Recovery Software

Panda Assistant

Accidentally deleted important files from your USB drive? Don’t panic Panda Assistant is here to help. Whether it’s photos, videos, documents, or work files, Panda Assistant is designed to recover deleted data quickly and efficiently, even from formatted or corrupted USB drives.

When files are deleted from a USB, they don’t vanish immediately. Instead, the space they occupied is marked as free, meaning your data can still be retrieved—if you act fast. That’s where Panda Assistant comes in. With its intelligent scanning engine, the tool dives deep into your USB drive, locating lost files and presenting them for secure recovery.

Using Panda Assistant is simple. Just plug in your USB drive, launch the software, and choose the “USB Recovery” option. The program will scan your device and display all recoverable files, allowing you to preview and select the ones you want to restore. Recovery is just a click away fast, secure, and hassle-free.

Panda Assistant supports all major USB brands and formats, including FAT32. exFAT, and NTFS. It’s also compatible with a wide range of file types from media files to spreadsheets and more. Whether you deleted a single file or lost everything during a mistaken format, Panda Assistant gives you a powerful, user-friendly solution.

Step 4: Recover Deleted Files Using Command Prompt

For users comfortable with command-line tools, Windows’ built-in Command Prompt can help recover hidden or deleted files in certain cases.

Here’s how you can try this method:

Connect your USB drive to your computer.

Press Windows + R, type cmd, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator.

Type the following command:

bash

CopyEdit

chkdsk X: /f

Replace “X” with the letter assigned to your USB drive. This command will check for file system errors and attempt to fix them.

Next, try:

bash

CopyEdit

attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*

This command removes hidden, system, and read-only attributes from files on the drive, making them visible again.

This method is particularly useful when files are not deleted but are hidden due to corruption or virus activity.

Step 5: Check File History or Backup Services

If your USB files were ever copied to your computer, cloud service, or a backup application, you may be able to recover them from there. For example:

Windows File History (if enabled)

OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or other cloud services

Backup software like Acronis, Macrium Reflect, or Windows Backup

Check those platforms to see if a copy of the file exists outside of the USB drive.

Step 6: Use Professional Data Recovery Services

If your USB drive is physically damaged (e.g., broken connector, liquid damage, or not recognized at all), your best option is to contact a professional data recovery service. These services use cleanrooms and advanced tools to recover data from damaged devices.

While they can be expensive, they offer the highest chance of recovery for hardware-related issues. Make sure to research reputable services, read reviews, and understand the pricing structure before sending your device.

Preventing Future Data Loss

Once you’ve recovered your files, it’s time to take steps to prevent this from happening again. Data loss is often preventable with the right habits and precautions.

Here are some best practices:

Back up important files regularly to multiple locations (cloud, external hard drives, etc.).

Safely eject USB drives before removing them to avoid corruption.

Avoid editing files directly from the USB—copy them to your computer, edit, then save back.

Use antivirus software to protect your system and USB drives from malware.

Avoid reusing old or faulty USB drives—these are prone to failure.

Developing good data hygiene and backup practices ensures that even if something goes wrong, your data is safe and restorable.

Troubleshooting Tips for USB Data Recovery

Sometimes, recovery doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

USB not recognized: Try using a different port or computer. If that fails, go to Disk Management to see if the drive appears there.

Drive shows as RAW: You can try recovery software that supports RAW drives or use a tool like TestDisk.

Files won’t open after recovery: The files may be partially overwritten or corrupted. Try an alternative recovery tool or seek professional help.

Recovered files have no names or extensions: Some tools may restore data without metadata. Use a file identification tool or try opening files with common programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Notepad).

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