Recover deleted files from usb free​

USB drives are widely used for storing and transferring various types of data, including documents, photos, videos, and more. However, it’s not uncommon to accidentally delete important files from a USB drive. Fortunately, there are several methods and tools available that can help you recover deleted files from a USB drive for free.

When you delete a file from a USB drive, it’s not immediately erased from the storage medium. Instead, the operating system simply marks the space occupied by the file as available for reuse. The actual data remains on the USB drive until new data is written to overwrite it. This principle is the basis for data recovery. The longer you wait after deletion and the more you use the USB drive, the higher the chance that the deleted data will be overwritten and become unrecoverable.

Common Causes of File Deletion on USB Drives

Accidental Deletion: This is one of the most common reasons. You might have selected the wrong file or hit the delete button by mistake.

Virus or Malware Attacks: Viruses and malware can sometimes delete or corrupt files on your USB drive.

Improper Ejection: Removing the USB drive without safely ejecting it first can cause file system errors and lead to file deletion.

Formatting: Accidentally formatting the USB drive or doing it to fix a problem can result in the loss of all data.

Free Methods to Recover Deleted Files from USB

Method 1: Using Windows File History

Check if File History is Enabled: If you’re using a Windows computer and have File History enabled, it can be a great way to recover deleted files from a USB drive. To check, go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.

Restore Files: If File History is turned on, connect the USB drive to the computer. Then, open the folder where the files were located on the USB drive. Right-click in the folder and select “Restore previous versions”. You can then choose the version of the file you want to restore and click “Restore”.

Method 2: Using System Restore

Create a System Restore Point: Before attempting to recover files, it’s a good idea to create a new system restore point in case something goes wrong. To do this, type “System Restore” in the Windows search bar and select “Create a restore point”. Follow the prompts to create a restore point.

Use System Restore: If you know that the files were deleted before a certain date, you can use System Restore to revert your computer’s system files and settings to an earlier point in time. Open System Restore and follow the wizard. Select a restore point that was created before the files were deleted. This may not directly recover the files from the USB drive, but if the files were synced or backed up in some way before deletion, it could help.

Method 3: Using Free Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant data recovery is a powerful and user-friendly data recovery software. Some of its features are as follows:

Wide Compatibility: It can recover data from various storage devices like USB drives, SD cards and external hard drives.

Diverse Recovery Modes: It offers both quick and deep scan options. The quick scan is efficient in finding recently deleted files, while the deep scan is capable of recovering data from damaged or formatted drives.

Rich File Format Support: It supports a wide range of file formats, including documents, images, videos and emails, meeting various user needs.

Data Security Guarantee: It operates in a read-only mode, which can prevent any further damage to the original data.

Convenient Preview Function: It allows users to view recoverable files before recovery, so that users can accurately select the files they need to recover.

Method 4: Using Linux Live CD/USB

Create a Linux Live USB: You can create a Linux Live USB using software like Rufus. Download a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu or Kali Linux and use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.

Boot from the Linux Live USB: Insert the Linux Live USB into your computer and boot from it. Once the Linux system is loaded, connect the USB drive from which you want to recover files.

Use Linux Data Recovery Tools: In Linux, there are several tools like PhotoRec and TestDisk that can be used to recover deleted files. Open a terminal and use these tools to scan and recover files from the USB drive. For example, to use PhotoRec, you can run the command photorec -q -f -u -c /dev/sdX where /dev/sdX is the device name of your USB drive.

Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss

Regular Backups: Make it a habit to regularly back up the data on your USB drive to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another USB drive.

Use Write Protection: If possible, enable write protection on your USB drive to prevent accidental deletion or modification of files.

Eject Safely: Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option before unplugging the USB drive to avoid file system errors.

Install Antivirus Software: Keep your computer and USB drive protected from viruses and malware by installing reliable antivirus software.