How to get data from pen drive without formatting​?

Pen drives (also known as USB flash drives) are highly convenient for storing and transferring data. However, they can sometimes become inaccessible, leaving users with the option to format the drive, which results in the loss of all data. Fortunately, there are ways to recover your data without resorting to formatting.

1. Issue

Before diving into recovery methods, it’s essential to understand the common causes of pen drive inaccessibility and how to recognize the issue early on.

What Causes a Pen Drive to Become Inaccessible?

Several factors can make your pen drive inaccessible:

File system corruption: This happens when the file system on your pen drive becomes damaged due to improper removal or file transfer interruptions.

Virus or malware: Some viruses hide your files or make the pen drive inaccessible.

Physical damage: If the pen drive’s hardware is damaged, recovery becomes more complex.

Driver conflicts: Windows might not assign a correct driver to the device, causing issues with access.

Signs Your Pen Drive Might Be Corrupted

Windows prompts you to format the drive before use.

The pen drive is not recognized by your computer.

You see error messages like “The drive is not accessible” or “The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.”

Files are missing, or their sizes appear as 0 bytes.

2. Precautions Before Starting

Before attempting any data recovery methods, it’s crucial to avoid certain actions that might worsen the situation.

Safeguard Your Data

Stop using the pen drive: Do not copy, move, or delete files, as this could overwrite your existing data and make recovery difficult.

Avoid formatting: While Windows may prompt you to format the pen drive, do not proceed unless you’ve exhausted all recovery options.

Check with another device: Sometimes, the issue may be with your computer rather than the pen drive. Try connecting it to another computer or USB port.

Things to Avoid

Do not format the drive: Formatting is a last-resort solution that erases all the data.

Do not run defragmentation: Defragmentation could potentially overwrite lost data.

3. Method 1: Using Command Prompt (CMD)

One of the most effective ways to recover data from a corrupted pen drive without formatting is by using the Command Prompt (CMD) tool in Windows.

How to Check and Repair Errors

The chkdsk command is a built-in Windows tool that checks your disk for errors and attempts to fix them. This is especially useful when the pen drive has minor file system issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the chkdsk Command:

Insert the Pen Drive: Connect your pen drive to the computer.

Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type cmd, and press Enter.

Enter the chkdsk Command: In the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk X: /f (replace “X” with the letter assigned to your pen drive).

Let Windows Repair the Drive: The system will check the pen drive for errors and attempt to fix any issues it finds. Wait for the process to complete.

If successful, you should now be able to access your data without formatting.

4. Method 2: Reassigning a Drive Letter

Sometimes, your pen drive may not appear in File Explorer because of a conflict with drive letters. This can easily be resolved by reassigning a new letter to the drive.

How Drive Letter Conflicts Can Cause Access Issues

When you plug in a pen drive, Windows automatically assigns a letter (such as D:, E:, etc.) to it. If this letter is already in use or if it hasn’t been assigned correctly, you won’t be able to access the drive.

Detailed Steps to Reassign a Drive Letter:

Open Disk Management: Right-click on the Start button and choose “Disk Management.”

Locate Your Pen Drive: Find the pen drive in the list of drives. It might appear without a letter.

Change Drive Letter: Right-click on the drive, select “Change Drive Letter and Paths,” and assign a new letter that is not currently in use.

Access the Drive: Check if the drive is now accessible through File Explorer.

5. Method 3: Utilizing Data Recovery Software

If the above methods don’t work, data recovery software can help retrieve your files without formatting the pen drive.

What is Data Recovery Software?

Data recovery software is designed to scan your pen drive for lost or inaccessible data. It can recover files even if the file system is damaged or corrupted.

Best Free and Paid Options for USB Recovery

Here are some popular data recovery tools:

Panda Assistant

Panda Assistant is a comprehensive and user-friendly data recovery software designed to help individuals and businesses retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted files from a variety of storage devices. Whether it’s a pen drive, external hard drive, SSD, or SD card, Panda Assistant is equipped with advanced technology to recover data quickly and efficiently, ensuring that users can regain access to their valuable information with minimal hassle.

Key Features

Multi-Device Compatibility: Panda Assistant works seamlessly with multiple devices, including USB flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and even cloud storage services. This flexibility makes it the go-to solution for recovering data from a wide range of storage mediums.

Advanced Data Recovery Technology: The software uses state-of-the-art algorithms to scan and retrieve data from corrupted, formatted, or damaged drives. Whether you accidentally deleted files or experienced a system crash, Panda Assistant’s deep scanning capabilities ensure that no data is left behind.

User-Friendly Interface: Panda Assistant’s intuitive interface is designed for both tech-savvy users and beginners. With clear, step-by-step instructions, even those with little technical knowledge can navigate the software and recover their lost files with ease.

File Preview and Selective Recovery: One of Panda Assistant’s standout features is the ability to preview files before recovery. This ensures users can selectively recover the files they need, saving time and storage space.

Fast and Secure Recovery: The software is optimized for speed, allowing users to recover their files in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Additionally, it ensures that your existing data remains safe throughout the process, as it operates in read-only mode without overwriting existing files.

Steps to Use Data Recovery Software:

Download and Install the Software: Choose a reliable data recovery software and install it on your computer.

Scan the Pen Drive: Open the software and select your pen drive from the list of available drives. Initiate a scan for lost data.

Preview and Recover Files: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore. Save them to a different location on your computer.

6. Method 4: Checking for Hidden Files

Sometimes, files on a pen drive may become hidden due to virus infections or accidental changes in file settings. You can easily reveal these hidden files without formatting the drive.

Steps to Reveal Hidden Files on Your Pen Drive:

Open File Explorer: Navigate to “This PC” and find your pen drive.

Enable Hidden Files: Click on the “View” tab at the top of File Explorer, and check the box next to “Hidden items.”

Look for Hidden Files: Hidden files should now appear on your pen drive. If they were hidden due to a virus, run an antivirus scan to ensure the drive is clean.

7. Method 5: Accessing the Pen Drive via Safe Mode

In some cases, third-party software or drivers can interfere with your pen drive’s functionality. Booting your computer into safe mode can help isolate and fix these issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Safe Mode for Data Access:

Restart Your Computer in Safe Mode: Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and go to the “Boot” tab. Check “Safe boot” and restart your computer.

Insert Your Pen Drive: Once in safe mode, connect your pen drive and check if you can access the files.

Transfer Your Data: If the pen drive is accessible, copy your files to another location.

8. Method 6: Using Disk Management

If your pen drive’s partition is damaged, Disk Management can help resolve the issue without formatting the entire drive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disk Management:

Open Disk Management: Right-click on the Start button and select “Disk Management.”

Locate Your Pen Drive: Look for the pen drive. If it shows as “RAW” or “Unallocated,” the partition may be damaged.

Attempt to Fix Partition Issues: Right-click on the pen drive, select “Properties,” and check the status. If the partition is still there, attempt to assign a drive letter or repair the partition.