How to restore deleted files from a usb drive

You plug in your USB drive, intending to grab an important document, a folder of client photos, or a presentation you’ve worked on for weeks. But instead of the file list you expect, you see empty space where your data used to be. Maybe you accidentally deleted the wrong file, mistakenly formatted the drive, or found that an entire directory has vanished without warning.

For many people, a USB drive is more than just a portable storage stick it’s a lifeline between devices, a compact vault for cherished memories, or a convenient archive for critical work projects. Losing data from one can feel catastrophic. Fortunately, in most cases, deleted files are not truly gone the moment they disappear from sight.

The trick is knowing why deletion happens, what to avoid doing immediately afterward, and which recovery methods give you the best chance of restoring your data intact. With the right approach, you can often recover the majority if not all of your lost files. 

How File Deletion Works on a USB Drive

Logical deletion versus physical removal

When you delete a file from a USB drive, the operating system doesn’t instantly wipe the data from the device. Instead, it marks the space as “available” for new data. The original file contents remain on the drive until they’re overwritten by something else.

This is why speed matters in file recovery — the less you use the USB drive after deletion, the higher your chances of getting the data back. Writing new files to the drive could overwrite the old ones permanently.

File system structures on USB drives

USB drives are typically formatted using FAT32. exFAT, or NTFS (for Windows) and sometimes APFS or HFS+ (for macOS). Each file system keeps a record of file locations in a directory table. When you delete a file, only its reference in that table is removed — the actual data clusters remain until overwritten.

First Steps After Deleting Files

Before rushing into recovery attempts, take these immediate steps to maximize your chances of success:

Stop using the USB drive

Avoid saving new files, running defragmentation, or making changes.

Safely eject the drive

Remove it from the computer to prevent background processes from writing to it.

Prepare a separate storage location

You’ll need another drive or folder to store recovered files — never restore them directly to the same USB stick.

Common Causes of File Loss on USB Drives

Understanding what caused the deletion can help choose the best recovery method.

Accidental deletion – Selecting the wrong file or folder and pressing delete.

Accidental formatting – Using “Format” instead of “Open” when prompted.

File system corruption – Caused by improper ejection, malware, or power failure.

Drive errors – Bad sectors or logical issues that make files invisible.

Malware attacks – Some viruses hide or delete files intentionally.

Recovery Methods

1. Checking the Recycle Bin or Trash (Indirect Recovery)

If you deleted the file from a USB drive while it was connected to a computer, some operating systems temporarily store it in the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).

Windows: Open the Recycle Bin and check if the file is listed. If yes, right-click and choose Restore.

Mac: Open Trash, locate the file, and drag it back to your desired location.

This method works only if the file was deleted via the OS’s delete command, not if the drive was formatted.

2. Using Built-In OS Recovery Commands

On Windows

CHKDSK – Repairs file system issues and may restore file visibility.

Open Command Prompt as administrator.

Type: chkdsk X: /f (replace X with your USB drive letter).

Press Enter and follow prompts.

On macOS

Disk Utility First Aid – Checks and repairs file system damage.

Open Disk Utility.

Select the USB drive.

Click First Aid and run the process.

While these tools can fix corruption, they are not full recovery solutions — they mainly repair directory structures.

3. Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant

With advanced scanning algorithms, Panda Assistant can recover deleted documents, photos, videos, audio files, and more — even after accidental deletion, quick formatting, or file system corruption. It supports all major file systems used by USB drives, including FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS, ensuring compatibility with most devices and operating systems.

The process is straightforward: connect your USB drive, launch Panda Assistant, and choose between a quick scan for recently deleted files or a deep scan to search for older, harder-to-find data. The software’s preview feature lets you check recoverable files before restoring them, so you can pick exactly what you need.

Whether your files disappeared due to human error, malware, or an unexpected drive malfunction, Panda Assistant minimizes data loss by working in read-only mode meaning it never overwrites your remaining data during recovery. Restored files are saved to a safe location of your choice, preventing further damage.

Designed for everyone from casual users to IT professionals, Panda Assistant offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes recovery accessible without technical expertise. Beyond USB drives, it can also restore files from memory cards, external hard drives, and other removable media, making it a versatile tool for safeguarding your digital life.

4. Manual Recovery for Advanced Users

If you’re comfortable working with low-level tools, you can sometimes recover data manually.

Hex editors let you inspect raw data on the drive.

TestDisk can repair partition tables and rebuild boot sectors.

Manual methods require knowledge of file signatures and data structures — mistakes can make recovery harder.

5. Professional Data Recovery Services

When software fails or the USB drive is physically damaged, professional help may be necessary.

Data recovery labs use advanced tools to extract data directly from memory chips. This is often the only option for drives that:

Aren’t recognized by the computer.

Make clicking or buzzing noises.

Show 0 bytes capacity.

Professional recovery can be expensive, but it may be the best choice for critical files.

Special Cases

Recovering Files from a Formatted USB Drive

Formatting removes the file system index but leaves most data untouched until overwritten. Deep scan tools like PhotoRec or R-Studio can recover many files even after a quick format.

Recovering Hidden Files from USB

Some malware hides files instead of deleting them.

On Windows:

Open Command Prompt.

Type: attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.* (replace X with the USB letter).

Press Enter.

Preventing Future USB File Loss

Always safely eject drives – Prevents corruption from sudden disconnection.

Keep backups – Store copies of important files on multiple devices or in the cloud.

Use reliable brands – Cheap drives fail more often.

Scan for malware regularly – Stops infections before they cause data loss.

Avoid editing directly on USB – Copy to your computer, edit, then save back.

Restoring deleted files from a USB drive is often possible if you act quickly and choose the right recovery method. From simple Recycle Bin restores to deep scans with specialized software, you have multiple options before turning to costly professional services.