In today’s digital age, USB drives are widely used for storing data, transferring files, and even backing up important documents. However, it’s not uncommon for people to accidentally lose data from these small storage devices. Whether you accidentally deleted a file, formatted your USB drive, or experienced a technical issue, losing important data can be frustrating. While there are plenty of paid software tools available for data recovery, you can actually recover lost files for free by following the right steps. This article will walk you through how to recover lost data from a USB drive using free methods.
User Scenario: Sarah’s USB Disaster
Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, uses her USB drive to store drafts, client files, and important personal projects. One day, while attempting to transfer a file from her laptop to the USB, she accidentally clicked “Format” instead of “Copy.” After the format, she realized that all of her files were gone. Panicking, Sarah started searching for solutions online and came across several options for data recovery. However, many of the tools were expensive and beyond her budget.
After some research, she discovered that there were free methods for recovering data from a USB drive. Sarah followed the steps outlined in this article and successfully retrieved her lost files. Here’s how she did it—and how you can too!
Understanding Why Data Loss Happens on a USB Drive
Before diving into the recovery process, it’s important to understand why data loss occurs on USB drives. The most common causes include:
- Accidental Deletion: Files can be deleted mistakenly, either manually or by using a shortcut.
- Corruption or Damage: Physical damage or file system corruption can make files unreadable.
- Formatting: Formatting your USB drive, either intentionally or unintentionally, deletes all the data stored on it.
- File System Error: Errors in the drive’s file system can lead to data loss.
While these scenarios are common, there is still hope for data recovery. When you delete a file from a USB drive, it’s not truly erased from the storage device. Instead, the operating system marks the space as available, allowing new data to overwrite it. As long as no new data is written over the space, there’s a chance of recovering your lost files.
Step 1: Stop Using the USB Drive
Once you notice that data is missing from your USB drive, stop using it immediately. Do not save new files or perform any write operations on the drive, as this can overwrite the areas where the lost data is still recoverable. This is one of the most important steps in the data recovery process.
Step 2: Use File History (For Windows Users)
Windows has a built-in feature called File History, which can help restore lost files from your USB drive if you’ve enabled it previously.
Steps to recover files using File History:
- Insert the USB drive into a USB port on your computer.
- Navigate to the folder on your USB drive where the files were stored before they went missing.
- Right-click on the folder where the lost files were stored and select Restore previous versions.
- A list of previous versions will appear, showing the date and time of the backups. Select a version before the data was lost.
- Click Restore, and your files will be returned to the USB drive.
Step 3: Check the Recycle Bin (For Deleted Files)
If you’ve accidentally deleted files from your USB drive, check your computer’s Recycle Bin. In some cases, files deleted from the USB drive might still be in the Recycle Bin.
Steps to recover files from the Recycle Bin:
- Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
- Browse through the files and folders to find the deleted items from your USB drive.
- Right-click the files and select Restore. The files will be restored to their original location on your USB drive.
Step 4: Use Built-In Tools for File Recovery (Windows and macOS)
If you’re unable to find your files in the Recycle Bin or using File History, you can try using built-in tools that come with Windows and macOS for file recovery.
Windows: Use CHKDSK (Check Disk)
Windows has a tool called CHKDSK, which can check for file system errors and potentially recover files that are lost due to corruption or damage.
Steps to use CHKDSK:
- Type cmd in the search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
- n the command window, type the following command:
chkdsk X: /f
- (Replace “X” with the letter of your USB drive.)
CHKDSK will scan the drive for errors and try to fix them. It may also recover lost files in the process.
macOS Use Disk Utility
macOS users can use Disk Utility to attempt to repair and recover lost data.
Steps to use Disk Utility:
- Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
- Find and select your USB drive in the left sidebar.
- Click First Aid to check for file system errors and repair them. This might restore access to your lost data.
Step 5: Recover Lost Data from a USB Drive Use Data Recovery Software
If you want to recover lost data from a USB drive for free using PCVITA USB Drive Data Recovery Tool, here’s a general approach. While SysTools offers premium features, you might be able to recover some basic data with their free trial version. Follow these steps:
Steps to Recover Lost Data from a USB Drive
- Go to the official website and download the Pen Drive Data Recovery software.
Choose your USB drive from the list of available drives. Scan” or “Formatted Scan - Preview recovered deleted data from Drive.
- Press the Save to recover data at any location
Step 6: Prevent Future Data Loss
Once you’ve successfully recovered your lost files, it’s essential to implement steps to prevent future data loss. Here are some tips to keep your files safe:
- Regular Backups: Create regular backups of your important files on external hard drives or cloud storage services.
- Avoid Formatting: Be cautious when formatting your USB drive, and always double-check that you’re selecting the correct drive.
- Use File Recovery Software: Consider using a file recovery tool on a regular basis to scan your USB drive for potential issues before data is lost.
Read More: How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Hard Drive?
Conclusion
Losing data from a USB drive can be stressful, but it’s not the end of the road. By following these free recovery methods, you can maximize your chances of getting your files back. Whether you use built-in tools like File History and CHKDSK or opt for free data recovery software, there are multiple ways to recover your lost files without spending a dime. Remember to stop using the USB drive immediately, follow the steps carefully, and consider backing up your data in the future to avoid similar situations.
