How to recover files from pendrive​？

Pen drives, also known as USB flash drives, are portable storage devices that allow you to easily transfer data from one device to another. They are commonly used to store and transfer documents, images, videos, and other important files. However, like any other storage device, pen drives are prone to data loss, which can happen due to a variety of reasons, including accidental deletion, corruption, or physical damage. Fortunately, there are methods and tools available to recover files from a pen drive, whether the data has been accidentally deleted or lost due to corruption. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of recovering lost files from your pen drive.

1. Why Files Get Lost on a Pen Drive

Understanding the reasons why data gets lost on a pen drive is crucial before attempting recovery. Below are some common causes:

Accidental Deletion

One of the most common causes of data loss is accidental deletion. It’s easy to mistakenly delete files from a pen drive, especially if you have a lot of files stored on it. Sometimes, files may also be moved to the Recycle Bin and then permanently deleted, resulting in data loss.

Corruption and Formatting

Corruption of the file system on a pen drive is another frequent cause of data loss. This can occur due to improper ejection of the device, sudden power loss, or software conflicts. Formatting a pen drive can also erase all the data on it. In some cases, you may accidentally format the device without realizing that important files are on it.

Virus and Malware Attacks

Pen drives are vulnerable to viruses and malware, which can corrupt files or make them inaccessible. Once infected, the pen drive may show abnormal behavior, such as disappearing files, error messages, or an inability to access the data.

Physical Damage

While not as common, physical damage to a pen drive can result in data loss. This can happen if the pen drive is dropped, exposed to water or extreme heat, or suffers other types of physical trauma. In such cases, recovery might require specialized hardware repair.

2. Basic Troubleshooting

Before diving into data recovery tools, it’s worth performing some basic troubleshooting to rule out simple issues.

Check the Pen Drive on Different Devices

Sometimes, the issue might be with the device rather than the pen drive itself. Try plugging the pen drive into another computer or USB port to see if it’s recognized. This can help you determine whether the problem lies with the pen drive or the original device.

Run a Disk Check

Windows has a built-in tool that can check the pen drive for file system errors. To run a disk check:

Plug in the pen drive and open “This PC” or “My Computer.”

Right-click the pen drive icon and select “Properties.”

Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Check.”

If any errors are found, Windows will attempt to fix them.

Use Windows’ Built-In Recovery Tools

If you’ve accidentally deleted files, you might be able to restore them using the built-in file recovery tools in Windows. If your pen drive is showing up but you cannot find the files, use Windows File History or the Previous Versions feature to attempt a restore.

Right-click the folder where your files were stored on the pen drive.

Select “Restore previous versions.”

Choose a version that contains the files you need and click “Restore.”

3. Data Recovery Software Options

Panda Assistant is a versatile and user-friendly data recovery software designed to help users retrieve lost or deleted files from a variety of storage devices, including hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, and more. Whether files were accidentally deleted, lost due to system crashes, or corrupted during transfer, Panda Assistant provides an efficient solution for recovery.

The software features a simple interface that guides users through the recovery process with ease. It supports a wide range of file types, including documents, photos, videos, and music. Panda Assistant employs advanced scanning algorithms to locate and recover files that may seem lost beyond retrieval. It can recover files from formatted or damaged drives, making it a valuable tool for both regular users and professionals alike.

One of the standout features of Panda Assistant is its ability to perform deep scans that locate even hard-to-reach files, ensuring that the recovery process is as thorough as possible. Additionally, Panda Assistant is designed to be fast, allowing users to save time while restoring important data.

4. How to Use Data Recovery Software

Let’s walk through the steps for using some of the most popular data recovery tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Panda Data Recovery

Download and install Panda Data Recovery from the official website.

Launch the program and connect your pen drive to the computer.

Select the pen drive from the list of available drives.

Click on “Scan” to search for recoverable files.

Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of recoverable files. Select the ones you want to recover.

Choose a destination folder (preferably not on the pen drive) to save the recovered files.

Step-by-Step Instructions for EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

Connect your pen drive to the computer.

Open the software and select your pen drive from the list of devices.

Click on “Scan” to begin scanning for lost files.

Once the scan is complete, browse through the files and select the ones you want to recover.

Click “Recover” and choose a safe location to store the recovered files.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Recuva

Download and install Recuva from the official website.

Open the program and select your pen drive as the location to scan.

Choose the type of files you want to recover (e.g., pictures, documents, etc.).

Start the scan and wait for it to complete.

Once the scan is finished, Recuva will display a list of recoverable files.

Select the files you want to recover and click “Recover.”

Step-by-Step Instructions for Disk Drill

Download and install Disk Drill.

Plug in your pen drive and launch Disk Drill.

Select your pen drive from the list of devices.

Click “Search for Lost Data” and choose a scanning mode (Quick or Deep Scan).

After the scan, preview the recoverable files and select the ones you want to restore.

Click “Recover” and save the files to a secure location.

5. Advanced Recovery Methods

In some cases, the above recovery software might not work, and you may need to try more advanced methods.

Using Command Prompt (CHKDSK and ATTRIB)

If your pen drive is not being recognized properly or is showing corrupted files, you can try using Command Prompt:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with the letter assigned to your pen drive) and press Enter. This command checks and repairs the file system on the pen drive.

You can also use the ATTRIB command to recover hidden files by typing ATTRIB -H -R -S /D /S X:*.* in Command Prompt.

Recovering Files from Formatted Pen Drives

If you’ve formatted your pen drive by mistake, data recovery software might still be able to retrieve some files. However, once the formatting process has been completed, the chances of successful recovery decrease. It’s important to act quickly and avoid writing new data to the pen drive.

Recovering Files from a Corrupt Pen Drive

If your pen drive is physically damaged or corrupt, recovery becomes much more difficult. In such cases, you might need to consider professional data recovery services that can attempt to repair the hardware and recover the data.

6. Precautions to Prevent Future Data Loss

Once you’ve successfully recovered your files, it’s important to take precautions to avoid future data loss.

Regular Backups

Regularly back up your important files to a secondary storage device, cloud storage, or external hard drive.

Use of Antivirus Software

Always ensure that your pen drive is free from viruses or malware by scanning it with updated antivirus software.

Safe Ejection Practices

Always eject your pen drive properly by clicking the “Safely Remove Hardware” option in Windows before unplugging it.