How to recover lost files from pendrive​？

A pendrive, or USB flash drive, is one of the most commonly used storage devices in today’s digital world. It’s portable, affordable, and highly versatile, making it perfect for storing files, transferring data, or backing up important documents. However, like any digital storage device, a pendrive is not immune to data loss.

Data loss can occur due to a variety of reasons, including accidental deletion, file corruption, formatting errors, or even hardware malfunction. It’s frustrating when your important files are lost, but the good news is that there are several ways to recover those files, even if they appear to be permanently deleted.

Section 1: Understanding Data Loss from a Pendrive

Before you begin the recovery process, it’s essential to understand why and how data loss can occur on a USB drive. Recognizing these causes will help you better troubleshoot the issue and apply the appropriate recovery method.

Common Causes of Data Loss on Pendrives

Accidental Deletion

One of the most common reasons for losing files is accidental deletion. You may have unintentionally deleted files or emptied the recycle bin without realizing that you still needed them.

File Corruption

Files can get corrupted due to improper ejection, malware infections, or system crashes. Corrupted files often become unreadable, which can make it seem like they’re lost forever.

Formatted USB Drive

If you’ve formatted your pendrive by mistake or intentionally to clear space, the files will be deleted. Formatting a USB drive removes the file system, making the files inaccessible.

Malware or Virus Attack

USB drives are vulnerable to malware and viruses, especially when connected to untrusted computers. Malware can corrupt or hide files, making them appear missing.

File System Errors

Sometimes, file system errors or bad sectors on the USB drive can cause data to become inaccessible. These errors can result in lost files or even make the entire drive unreadable.

Physical Damage

Physical damage, such as bending, water exposure, or wear and tear, can lead to data loss. In some cases, the drive may be entirely destroyed, but in others, data may still be recoverable with professional help.

Why Files Aren’t Always Gone After Deletion

When you delete a file from a pendrive, the file isn’t always immediately erased from the device. Instead, the operating system simply marks the space as available for new data. As a result, unless new data overwrites the deleted file, the file remains on the drive and can be recovered. This is why you still have a chance to recover your files even after they seem to be lost.

Section 2: Preliminary Steps Before Starting the Recovery Process

Before you attempt to recover lost files from your pendrive, there are a few crucial steps to follow. These steps increase the chances of successful recovery and prevent further damage to the drive.

1. Stop Using the Pendrive

Once you realize that files are missing from your pendrive, the most important thing you can do is stop using it immediately. Continuing to add, modify, or delete files on the USB drive can overwrite the space where your deleted files were stored, making recovery more difficult or even impossible.

2. Check the Recycle Bin

If you accidentally deleted files, it’s worth checking your computer’s Recycle Bin or Trash (depending on your operating system). Files deleted from a pendrive often go into the bin, where they can be restored.

3. Inspect the Pendrive for Physical Damage

Before diving into software recovery methods, make sure the pendrive isn’t physically damaged. Check the USB connector for any signs of bending, rust, or dirt, which could prevent the drive from being detected properly by your computer.

Section 3: Methods for Recovering Lost Files from a Pendrive

Now that you have completed the preliminary steps, let’s move on to the recovery methods. Depending on the cause of the data loss, different methods will be appropriate.

1. Using File History (Windows)

If you’re using Windows and have enabled File History or a backup program, you can use it to restore previous versions of the files on your pendrive.

Step 1: Insert your pendrive into the computer.

Step 2: Navigate to the folder where the lost files were stored.

Step 3: Right-click on the folder and select “Restore previous versions.”

Step 4: Choose a version of the folder that contains the lost files and click “Restore.”

If you have a backup of the files, this can be the quickest and easiest solution.

2. Panda Assistant

Panda Assistant employs advanced scanning algorithms to ensure a thorough recovery process. It can detect and recover files even if they’ve been deleted or formatted, and it works with various file systems, including NTFS, FAT32. exFAT, and more. This makes the software suitable for use across different operating systems, including Windows and macOS. The deep scan feature allows it to recover files that may have been missed by other recovery tools, improving the chances of successful restoration, especially in cases of severe data loss.

In addition to its data recovery capabilities, Panda Assistant also provides features for repairing corrupted files. Whether you’re dealing with a corrupted document, photo, or video, the software can help fix damaged files so they can be opened and used again. This feature is particularly helpful when dealing with media files that are often prone to corruption due to abrupt system shutdowns or file transfer interruptions.

For extra convenience, Panda Assistant offers the option to preview recoverable files before performing the restoration. This allows users to verify that the files are intact and not damaged, saving time by only recovering the files they actually need.

Section 4: Advanced Recovery Techniques

If the basic methods don’t work, there are more advanced recovery techniques you can try. These typically involve using professional data recovery software or even taking the pendrive to a recovery service.

1. Professional Data Recovery Services

If your pendrive is physically damaged or the recovery software can’t find your lost files, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. These services use specialized equipment to recover data from damaged or faulty drives.

Data recovery services can be expensive, so it’s essential to evaluate the cost against the importance of the data before proceeding.

2. Using Linux to Recover Lost Files

If you’re comfortable using Linux, you can try using it to recover lost files. Linux has a built-in tool called TestDisk that’s capable of recovering lost files from USB drives. You can also use other file recovery tools like extundelete for drives formatted with Linux file systems.