How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files on a USB Drive
It can be a nightmare if you lose important files from a USB drive, especially if the files are unique: photographs, official documents or work data. Whether it is due to accidental deletion, formatting errors or get corrupted, the good news is: you can often recover lost or deleted files from a USB drive.
Stick with this beginner-friendly guide, and we’ll list some easy ways you can try to recover your lost data. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to follow these steps, and if you’re wise — you may be able to recover all without a cent.
✅Why is the File/Folder Missing from a USB Drive?
Cutting to solutions has its place, but it is helpful to understand how files get lost in the first place. Some of the most common causes are:
Accidental Deletion: Cleared files by mistake or emptying the Recycle Bin prematurely.
Human Error: Accidently formatting the USB drive without backup.
File System Corruption: Improper Ejection, Sudden Power Loss or Malware may Corrupt the File System.
Virus or Malware Attack Harmful software can either delete your files or hide them from your view.
The USB Drive is Physically Damaged: Damage to the USB drive will make data recovery difficult, but it still isn't impossible.
Knowing why the file loss happened will help plan the best recovery solution.
✅ What You Should Do Right After Losing the Files
If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot find files on your USB drive, follow these steps as soon as possible to maximize your chances of getting the files back:
— Stop Using the USB Drive: New data can overwrite the deleted files, making recovery more difficult (or impossible).
Do Not Format the Drive: If the USB drive is formatted, your data may be lost forever.
Eject the Drive: Remove the USB safely to prevent further corruption.
How to Recover Lost or Deleted Files from USB Drive Ultimate Guide
These are the several ways you can attempt to recover your lost files, from the simplest solutions to more advanced recovery tools.
🔄 1. Check Your Recycle Bin (If You Deleted Files From Your PC)
So, if you have deleted files from the USB while it was connected to the computer, there are chances are they still exist in the Recycle Bin.
Follow these steps for how to restore files from the Recycle Bin:
First, double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Look for the deleted files.
Select the file to recover, right-click it, and select Restore.
Note: Files that have been deleted directly from the USB drive (using Shift + Delete) will not show up in the Recycle Bin.
⚙️ 2. Recover Hidden Files Using Command Prompt (CMD)
In some cases, the files could be concealed by corruption or any kind of malware. The Command Prompt will make these hidden files visible.
How to recover hidden files.
Plug in your USB drive.
Step 4: Open Command Prompt (cmd) Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
Type the command and hit Enter:
bash
CopyEdit
attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\.
(Replace with the letter of your USB drive.)
Query your USB drive — your hidden files should be visible now.
🛠️ 3. Use File History or Backup Tools (Windows Only)
As such, if you routinely use Windows Backup or File History to back up your files, you may easily recover deleted files.
Here is how to recover files using File History:
In the Windows search area, type Restore files, and choose Restore your files with File History.
Go to the directory where files were originally saved.
Click on the file and select Restore.
💻 4. Use Data Recovery Software
If the above doesn’t work, you can recover lost files from your USB drive using data recovery software. A handful of introductory tools you may want to explore are:
Recuva (Free and Paid) – UX and effectiveness.
Disk Drill (Free for 500MB on Windows) – Simple and high recovery rate
What is EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard? – Easy interface and decent recovery rate for deep scans.
Using Recuva to recover files:
Download and install Recuva.
Here’s how you’d do it:Plugin your USB drive into your computer.
Open Recuva and choose All Files.
Select your USB drive from this list.
Click Start to search for the deleted files.
Check the files you want to recover, then click Recover.
🏷️ 5. Restore Previous Versions (Windows)
Windows automatically saves some files from older versions.
How to restore older versions:
Click on the USB drive where your files are located.
Choose Properties → Previous Versions tab.
Select a version that predates the file’s disappearance, and then click Restore.
🔍 6. Verify for Hidden Partitions (Advanced Method)
The lost files on a USB drive might reside on a hidden partition.
How to show hidden partitions:
Go to Disk Management by pressing Windows + X.
Find Any Unallocated or Hidden Space on USB Drive
If it finds one, it allows you to assign drive letter and access the partition.
✅ How to Avoid USB Drive File Loss
However, it is always better to not have to recover the file in the first place. Here are tips for avoiding file loss in the future:
Eject Your USB Drive Safely: It helps in avoiding data corruption.
Back Up Your Important Files Regularly: To cloud storage or an external hard drive.
And that is up to your discretion more than anything.
Never Use Trustless Devices: Use your USB only on trusted systems.
Regular USB Cleaning: Scan for malware and delete unnecessary files.
✅ What if Your USB Drive Is Physically Damaged?
If your USB drive is physically broken (broken connector, water damage), recovery becomes more complex. Here’s what you can do:
Cease Use of the Drive Immediately: Continuing to use the drive could potentially aggravate the damage.
Seek Professional Data Recovery: For physically damaged devices, professional data recovery services can extract data; however, they can be costly.
✅ FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Is it possible to recover files from a formatted USB drive?
Yes, specialized data recovery software like Recuva or EaseUS can usually recover files from formatted USB drives unless the space has been overwritten with new data.
Q2: Are free data recovery tools effective?
Yes, tools such as Recuva and Disk Drill are free (up to a point) reliable and easy to use and are great for basic needs.
Q3: My computer does not recognize the USB drive, what should I do?
Use a different USB port or even a different computer. If that doesn’t work, use Disk Management to see if the drive is detected and assign a drive letter if wanted.
Q4: How long does it take to recover data?
It largely depends how big your USB drive is, and how many files you have. The scans can last a few minutes or even a couple of hours.
Q5: Are online USB recovery services safe to use?
Don’t use online recovery tools that require you to upload sensitive data. Instead, use reputable offline software or get help from a professional.
✅ Conclusion
There’s no reason losing files on a USB drive has to be a disaster. If using the beginner-friendly methods mentioned above—such as built-in Windows tools or Command Prompt or free recovery software—you should be able to recover the lost data.
Note: You should backup your data regularly and use your device carefully to prevent data loss. If you do so quickly and you take these steps, you will maximize your chances of successfully recovering your files.
Give these fixes a try today, and fingers crossed you’ll get your essential files back before long! 🚀
