Stop using the USB drive immediately to prevent new data from overwriting your lost files. When a file is deleted, the data remains on the physical flash memory until new files are saved over it.
Follow these step-by-step methods to safely recover your data, starting with the highest-yielding option.
Method 1: Use Professional Data Recovery Software (Highest Success Rate)
Dedicated software is the most effective way to retrieve files from formatted, corrupted, or accidentally wiped USB drives.
Download software: Choose a reputable recovery tool like Disk Drill, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Recuva. Crucial: Install the software on your computer’s main internal hard drive, not onto the target USB drive.
Connect the drive: Plug your USB flash drive directly into an active USB port on your PC or Mac.
Select and scan: Open the program, select your USB drive from the hardware list, and click Search for lost data or Scan. Use the “Universal Scan” or “Deep Scan” options for the most thorough results.
Preview findings: Once the scan finishes, use the built-in filters to browse by file type (e.g., pictures, documents) and preview the files to verify their integrity.
Recover and save: Select the checkboxes next to the files you want to save and click Recover. Never save the recovered files back onto the same USB drive; choose a secure location on your computer’s local drive instead. Method 2: Check for Hidden Files Using Command Prompt (CMD)
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