How to recover deleted files on a flash drive​？

1. Flash drive

When you delete a file from a flash drive, the file is typically not removed immediately. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as free for new data. The file itself remains on the drive until it is overwritten by new data. This is why data recovery is often possible—provided that the deleted files haven’t been overwritten by new ones.

Understanding this process is crucial for successful data recovery. The sooner you attempt to recover deleted files, the higher your chances of success.

2. Stop Using the Flash Drive

The first and most important rule in data recovery is to stop using the flash drive immediately after you realize that files have been deleted. This minimizes the chances of new data overwriting the deleted files. Do not save any new data, install any software, or perform any other operations on the flash drive. If you continue using the drive, it may overwrite the deleted files, making recovery more difficult or impossible.

3. Assess the Situation

Before diving into recovery software or tools, assess the situation:

Accidental Deletion: If the files were deleted by mistake, they might still be recoverable.

Formatting: If the drive was formatted, the recovery process may take longer, but it is still possible.

Corruption: If the drive is corrupted, the file system may be damaged, but recovery tools can often bypass these issues.

Damage: If the drive is physically damaged, professional data recovery services may be necessary.

4. Check the Recycle Bin (If Applicable)

If you were using the flash drive on a Windows computer and the files were recently deleted, it’s worth checking the Recycle Bin. Sometimes, files may be temporarily moved there before being permanently deleted. If you find the deleted files, you can easily restore them by right-clicking and selecting “Restore.”

5. Use File Recovery Software

If the files aren’t in the Recycle Bin, or if you have already emptied it, your next best option is to use file recovery software. Many tools can help you recover deleted files from a flash drive, even if the files have been removed from the drive.

5.1. Choosing a Recovery Tool

Panda Assistant is a powerful and user-friendly data recovery software designed to help individuals recover lost, deleted, or inaccessible files from various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, and more. It offers a simple, intuitive interface that allows both beginners and professionals to easily navigate the recovery process.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ability to recover a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, music, and system files. The software is capable of recovering files lost due to accidental deletion, formatting, partition loss, or corruption. With its deep scan feature, Panda Assistant thoroughly scans storage devices for traces of lost data, ensuring a higher success rate for recovery.

5.2. Download and Install the Software

Choose a recovery tool based on your needs and download it from the official website. Avoid downloading recovery tools from third-party websites, as they may contain malware. Install the software on a different drive (not the flash drive you want to recover files from) to prevent overwriting any data.

5.3. Running the Recovery Tool

Once the software is installed, follow these steps:

Connect the Flash Drive: Plug the flash drive into your computer.

Launch the Recovery Tool: Open the installed recovery software.

Select the Flash Drive: Choose the flash drive from the list of available drives.

Scan for Deleted Files: Select the scanning option. The software will begin scanning the drive for deleted files. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the drive and the number of files.

Preview and Recover Files: After the scan, the tool will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files if the tool allows it, and select the ones you want to recover. Then, click “Recover” and choose a location to save the restored files (preferably not on the same flash drive to avoid overwriting).

5.4. What to Do if Files Aren’t Found

If the recovery tool doesn’t find your files, try scanning again using a different recovery tool. Each software has its own scanning algorithms, and some may have better success in recovering specific types of data. In some cases, if the files were overwritten or severely corrupted, recovery may not be possible.

6. Use Command Prompt (Windows Only)

If you are comfortable using command-line tools, you can try using Windows’ built-in Command Prompt to recover deleted files. Here’s how:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Right-click the Start button, select “Command Prompt (Admin).”

Run CHKDSK: Type chkdsk X: /f (replace “X” with the letter of your flash drive) and press Enter. This command checks for errors on the drive and may restore access to deleted files.

Try File Recovery Commands: If CHKDSK doesn’t work, you can try the ATTRIB command to recover hidden files. Use the following command: ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:\*.* (replace X with the drive letter).

This method works best when the file system is intact but doesn’t guarantee recovery for files that have been overwritten.

7. Recovering Files After Formatting

If your flash drive was accidentally formatted, recovery can be more complex, but it’s still possible. Formatting a drive removes the file system structure, but the data remains intact until it is overwritten. Use the same recovery software mentioned above to attempt recovery after formatting.

7.1. Perform a Deep Scan

Most recovery tools have a deep scan feature that can search the flash drive sector by sector for traces of deleted files. This scan takes longer but is more thorough than a standard scan. If your flash drive was formatted, a deep scan is your best chance of recovering lost files.

7.2. Choose the Right File System

When recovering files after formatting, make sure to select the correct file system (NTFS, FAT32. exFAT, etc.) used on the flash drive. If you’re unsure, the software may offer an auto-detect option.

8. Using Professional Data Recovery Services

If software recovery methods fail or if the flash drive is physically damaged, professional data recovery services may be necessary. These services are expensive but can offer a higher chance of recovering data from damaged or corrupted drives.

8.1. When to Seek Professional Help

Physical Damage: If the flash drive is physically damaged (e.g., dropped, exposed to water, or suffering from electrical failure), DIY recovery methods are unlikely to work.

Severe Corruption: If the file system is severely corrupted and software cannot recover the data, professionals may be able to access the raw data from the flash drive.

Critical Data: If the deleted files are extremely important (e.g., business documents or personal memories), professional recovery services may be the safest option.

8.2. How Professional Recovery Works

Data recovery specialists have access to specialized equipment and software designed to recover data from damaged storage devices. The process typically involves:

Inspection: The drive is carefully inspected to determine the cause of the issue (physical damage, corruption, etc.).

Data Extraction: Using professional tools, the recovery service will attempt to extract the data from the flash drive.

Rebuilding the File System: If necessary, the recovery service may rebuild the drive’s file system to make the data accessible.

9. Preventing Future Data Loss

While recovering deleted files is often possible, prevention is the best strategy. Here are some tips to protect your flash drive and avoid losing files in the future:

Backup Regularly: Always keep a backup of important files on a separate device or cloud storage.

Use File Recovery Software for Backup: Some recovery tools allow you to create a backup image of your flash drive, which can be restored if the drive becomes corrupted or files are deleted.

Safely Eject the Drive: Always safely eject the flash drive from your computer to prevent corruption.