How to recover deleted files from usb using cmd?

Recovering deleted files from a USB drive using Command Prompt (CMD) can be a useful and powerful method, especially if you prefer not to use third-party software. In this guide, I’ll explain the steps and commands necessary to attempt file recovery through CMD, while covering concepts like file systems, the significance of data recovery, and troubleshooting. 

1. Data Recovery from a USB Drive

When you delete a file, it isn’t immediately erased from the USB drive. Instead, the file system (e.g., FAT32. NTFS, or exFAT) marks the space occupied by that file as free, which means new data can overwrite it. This is why acting quickly is critical if you want to recover the file.

Command Prompt (CMD) offers several native methods for scanning, repairing, and recovering lost or deleted data. These methods rely on different system utilities and commands, including chkdsk, attrib, and others. However, using CMD can be somewhat limited, and may not always succeed in recovering files depending on the level of damage or overwriting of the drive.

2. Preparation: Before You Start

2.1. Important Notes:

Stop using the USB drive immediately to prevent overwriting deleted files.

CMD-based recovery works best if the USB drive is in a relatively undamaged state (i.e., it’s still recognized by the system and hasn’t been reformatted).

Always attempt to back up any files from the USB drive before running recovery processes, as some methods might further alter the structure of the drive.

2.2. Check the File System:

Connect the USB drive to your PC.

Open File Explorer, right-click on the USB drive, and select Properties to check the file system (FAT32. NTFS, exFAT). Knowing the file system is essential, as it influences how certain CMD commands operate.

2.3. Run Command Prompt as Administrator:

To ensure you have sufficient privileges to access and modify the files on the USB drive, open Command Prompt in Administrator mode:

Type “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as Administrator.

3. Using CMD to Recover Deleted Files

3.1. Method 1: Using the attrib Command

The attrib command helps retrieve hidden, system-protected, or read-only files that may have been accidentally deleted or hidden due to a virus or corruption.

Steps:

Identify the USB drive letter:

Open File Explorer and note the drive letter assigned to the USB (e.g., “E:”).

Run the attrib command:

In the Command Prompt, type the following command:

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

Explanation of the switches:

-h: Removes the hidden attribute.

-r: Removes the read-only attribute.

-s: Removes the system file attribute.

/s: Applies the command to all files in the directory.

/d: Applies the command to directories.

Review Recovered Files:

Check the USB drive for any files that have been restored. These files might have been hidden or inaccessible due to corruption or malware.

3.2. Method 2: Using the chkdsk Command

The chkdsk (Check Disk) command scans your USB drive for file system errors and repairs them, potentially recovering lost files in the process.

Steps:

Run the chkdsk command:

In Command Prompt, type:

chkdsk E: /f

Replace “E:” with your USB drive’s letter.

The /f flag tells the system to fix errors it finds.

Analyze the Results:

If chkdsk finds errors, it will attempt to fix them, which can result in the recovery of deleted or corrupted files.

3.3. Method 3: Recovering Files from Corrupt USB Using diskpart

diskpart is a utility used to manage disks and partitions. This method won’t recover deleted files directly but can help if your USB drive is corrupt and inaccessible. After correcting the corruption, you can try other methods to recover files.

Steps:

Launch Diskpart:

Type diskpart and press Enter. This opens the Diskpart utility.

List available drives:

Type list disk to view all connected storage devices. Identify your USB drive by its size.

Select the USB drive:

Type select disk X (replace X with the number corresponding to your USB drive).

Fix file system errors:

Use the command clean to remove all partitions (be cautious, this will delete partition info, not data). After cleaning, you can use third-party recovery tools to recover the lost files.

4. Understanding File System Types: FAT32. NTFS, exFAT

The file system of your USB drive determines how files are stored and how recoverable they are after deletion. Knowing your USB’s file system helps when using CMD.

4.1. FAT32:

Common in USB drives, especially smaller ones. It’s less robust than NTFS but widely compatible.

Deleted files are usually easier to recover, especially if they haven’t been overwritten.

4.2. NTFS:

Used more commonly for internal drives but also found on larger external USB drives.

More advanced than FAT32 in terms of permissions and file handling, but file recovery is trickier.

4.3. exFAT:

A middle ground between FAT32 and NTFS, commonly used for larger USB drives.

File recovery depends on the degree of corruption and overwriting.

5. Advanced Recovery: Working with Corrupted USB Drives

If your USB drive is corrupted and not recognized properly by your PC, it’s crucial to repair the drive before attempting file recovery. Here’s how you can use CMD to address common USB issues.

5.1. Fixing the Drive’s File System:

Run the following command to check and repair the file system:

chkdsk E: /r

The /r switch locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. This might restore access to deleted files by fixing underlying file system issues.

5.2. Rebuilding the Master Boot Record (MBR):

If your USB drive’s boot sector is damaged, you can attempt to repair it using:

bootrec /fixmbr

This is often used when the USB isn’t recognized due to boot sector corruption.

6. Limitations of Using CMD for File Recovery

CMD is a versatile tool, but it has its limitations when it comes to recovering deleted files:

No file preview: Unlike specialized recovery software, CMD doesn’t provide a way to preview recovered files before restoring them.

Overwritten files: Once a deleted file’s space is overwritten, CMD cannot recover it.

Corruption beyond repair: Severe file system damage might require more advanced recovery techniques or professional services.

In such cases, data recovery software, like Panda Assistant, might provide a more robust solution. These tools can scan deeper into your USB drive’s sectors, locate lost files, and offer additional recovery options that CMD cannot provide.

7. When to Seek Professional Help

If your USB drive contains highly sensitive or valuable information, and CMD methods fail to recover your files, it may be worth consulting professional data recovery services. These services can often recover files even from severely damaged or overwritten storage devices.

8. Preventing Data Loss in the Future

8.1. Regular Backups:

The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to regularly back up important files from your USB drive to another location, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or network-attached storage (NAS).

8.2. Use of Reliable Recovery Software:

Specialized data recovery software like Panda Assistant can help you prepare for future accidents by providing real-time data protection and easy file recovery when needed.

8.3. Careful File Management:

Always safely eject USB drives before disconnecting them from your computer to avoid file system corruption.

Recovering deleted files from a USB using CMD is possible, but it’s not always guaranteed, especially if files have been overwritten or the USB drive is severely corrupted. Methods like using attrib and chkdsk can help recover hidden, system-protected, or lost files, but advanced issues may require professional tools or services. To maximize recovery chances, stop using the USB immediately after realizing a file has been deleted, and consider using specialized software if CMD methods don’t work.