Here are some methods to recover deleted files from a USB drive:
- Use data recovery software:
- Download and install a reputable data recovery tool like Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Connect your USB drive to your computer.
- Launch the software and select your USB drive.
- Scan the drive for deleted files.
- Preview and select the files you want to recover.
- Recover the selected files to a safe location (not the USB drive itself).
- Use Windows built-in tools:
- Check the Recycle Bin if the files were recently deleted.
- Use the “Restore Previous Versions” feature:
- Right-click on the USB drive and select “Properties”
- Go to the “Previous Versions” tab
- Select a previous version of the folder containing the deleted files
- Click “Restore” to recover the files
- Use Command Prompt (for advanced users):
- Open Command Prompt as administrator
- Type “chkdsk X: /f” (replace X with your USB drive letter) and press Enter
- This may help recover files from a corrupted USB drive
- Restore from a backup:
- If you have a backup of your USB drive, you can easily restore the deleted files from there.
Key tips:
- Act quickly after deletion to prevent data overwriting
- Don’t save new files to the USB drive until recovery is complete
- Use a different storage device to save recovered files
- Consider using file recovery software for the best chances of success