USB file where to get

​Losing files from a USB drive can be a frustrating experience, especially when those files are important. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to recover deleted files without relying on third-party software. 

USB Drives and Data Deletion

Before exploring recovery methods, it’s important to understand how USB drives work. USB drives use flash memory to store data. When you delete a file, it doesn’t immediately disappear. Instead, the space it occupied is marked as available for new data. Until that space is overwritten by new files, the deleted data can often be recovered.

Common Reasons for File Deletion

Accidental Deletion: Mistakenly deleting files while organizing or cleaning up your drive.

Formatting: Choosing to format the USB drive, which may result in lost files.

Corruption: File system corruption due to improper ejection, power failure, or hardware issues.

Virus Attack: Malicious software can delete or hide files on your USB drive.

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin

One of the simplest recovery methods is to check your computer’s Recycle Bin. Files deleted from a USB drive connected to a Windows computer may end up in the Recycle Bin.

Connect Your USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into your computer’s USB port.

Open the Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Search for Your Files: Look through the items listed or use the search feature to find your deleted files.

Restore Files: If you find the files you need, right-click on them and select “Restore.” This action will move the files back to their original location on the USB drive.

Limitations: This method only works if the files were deleted using Windows and the USB drive was not ejected before checking the Recycle Bin.

Method 2: Use Command Prompt to Recover Files

The Command Prompt in Windows can be used to recover files that are not visible due to file system errors or corruption.

Open Command Prompt:

Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

Identify Your USB Drive:

Type diskpart and press Enter.

Type list volume and press Enter to see all connected drives.

Identify your USB drive by its size and volume label.

Exit DiskPart:

Type exit and press Enter to leave DiskPart.

Run Check Disk Command:

In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with the letter assigned to your USB drive) and press Enter. This command checks the drive for errors and attempts to fix them.

Review Results: After the check completes, the system will report any errors found and may restore access to files.

Method 3: Use Windows File Recovery Tool

If you are using Windows 10 or 11. you can use the built-in Windows File Recovery tool to attempt recovery of lost files.

Download Windows File Recovery: Install the app from the Microsoft Store if you haven’t done so already.

Open Windows File Recovery: Search for it in the Start menu and launch the application.

Determine the Recovery Mode: The tool has different modes:

Regular Mode: Good for recovering recently deleted files.

Extensive Mode: Best for files that have been deleted for a longer period or are not easily recoverable.

Run Recovery Command:

The command format is:

bash

winfr X: Y: /n \path\to\file

Replace X with the drive letter of your USB and Y with the destination drive letter.

Execute and Wait: After entering the command, press Enter and wait for the process to complete. The results will indicate whether any files were recovered.

Method 4: Check for Previous Versions

If you have enabled File History or System Restore on your Windows machine, you might be able to recover previous versions of files stored on your USB drive.

Navigate to the USB Drive: Open the folder where the deleted files were located.

Right-click and Open Properties: Right-click on the folder and select “Properties.”

Check Previous Versions: Navigate to the “Previous Versions” tab to see if any backups exist.

Restore Files: Select the version you want and click “Restore” to recover your files.

Method 5: Search for Temporary Files

Sometimes programs save temporary copies of files that you can recover.

Look for Temporary Files: Open the USB drive and search for files with extensions like .tmp.

Check Common Locations: Temporary files may also be stored in specific folders, like the Temp folder.

Open and Recover: Try opening these files. They might contain the information you lost.

Method 6: Use System Restore

If you have regular restore points set up, you can revert your system to a previous state, which may recover lost files.

Access System Restore:

Press Win + R, type rstrui.exe, and hit Enter.

Select Restore Point: Choose a restore point dated before the deletion occurred.

Follow Prompts: Proceed through the prompts to complete the restoration process. After restoration, check the USB drive for the recovered files.

Method 7: Manual Search for Misplaced Files

Sometimes files may not be deleted but rather misplaced or renamed.

Open USB Drive: Insert your USB drive into your computer and open it.

Sort Files: Sort files by date modified, size, or name to identify potential misplaced files.

Search Specific File Types: Use the search bar to look for specific file types (e.g., *.docx, *.jpg).

Important Tips for Successful Recovery

Stop Using the USB Drive: If you realize that files have been deleted, immediately cease writing new data to the USB drive to prevent overwriting.

Backup Important Files: Regularly back up your files to prevent future losses. Utilize cloud storage or external hard drives.

Create a Recovery Plan: Familiarize yourself with recovery methods and keep a list of tools and procedures handy.