How to Guide: USB recovery or Flash Drive recovery on a Windows computer

Accidentally losing access to files on a USB / flash drive is a common frustration, but USB recovery is often possible with the right tools and techniques.

REMEMBER: Never recover your data onto the source drive, you will be overwriting the original data. If you are unsure, call My IT Works and we can help.

This guide explores proven methods to recover data from corrupted, formatted, or inaccessible USB drives on Windows, leveraging built-in utilities and third-party software. Key strategies include using CHKDSK to repair file systems, Windows File Recovery for deep scans, and tools like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for user-friendly file restoration.

By following these steps, users can often retrieve lost documents, photos, and other critical data without professional intervention. Should your USB disk drive be making a clicking noise or similar, it’s best you get it to a professional, that sort of recovery is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

Understanding USB recovery / flash drive recovery and reasons for failures

USB drives can become inaccessible due to logical errors (e.g., accidental deletion, formatting) or physical damage like dropping or banging against something. Logical issues are often repairable using software, while physical damage may require professional recovery services. Common symptoms of a failing drive include error messages like “Drive needs formatting”, missing files, or the device not appearing in File Explorer. Before attempting recovery, stop using the drive immediately to prevent overwriting deleted or missing files.

NOTE: If you do manage to get back files, NEVER restore files onto the source drive!

Methods 1 – 3 are for simpler issues like the file / drive missing but there is no physical damage. Method 4 uses third party tools that can help with more in depth problems.

Method 1: Repair file system errors with built-in tools

Step 1: Run CHKDSK via command prompt

The CHKDSK utility scans and repairs file system errors on storage devices. To use it:

1. Connect the USB drive to your PC.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (press Windows + X, then select Terminal (Admin)).
3. Type chkdsk X: /f /x (replace capital X with your drive letter) and press Enter.
   This command fixes errors and recovers readable data from corrupted sectors.

Step 2: Unhide files using ATTRIB

If files are hidden due to malware or attribute changes:

1. In the same Command Prompt window, type ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*.
2. Replace X with your drive letter and press Enter.
   This removes Hidden, Read-only, and System attributes, making files visible again.

Method 2: Restore previous file versions

Windows’ File History feature, assuming it’s enabled, can recover older versions of files if backups were enabled:

1. Open Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
2. Click Restore personal files and navigate to the USB drive’s backup.
3. Select the desired files and click Restore.
   Note: This only works if the drive was previously added to File History

Method 3: Use Windows file recovery

Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery tool performs deep scans for permanently deleted files:

1. Download it from the Microsoft Store.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Enter Winfr X: Y: /extensive (replace X with the USB drive letter and Y with a destination for recovered files).
4. Wait for the scan to complete.
   While powerful, this tool lacks a graphical interface, making it less intuitive for beginners

Method 4: Third-party data recovery software

Tools like Disk Drill or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard simplify recovery with guided workflows:

Using Disk Drill:

1. Download and install Disk Drill.
2. Select the USB drive and click Search for lost data.
3. Preview recoverable files and click Recover.
   Disk Drill’s byte-level scanning recovers files even from formatted drives, provided they haven’t been overwritten.

Using EaseUS data recovery wizard:

1. Download, install and launch the software and select the USB drive.
2. Click Scan and filter results by file type.
3. Preview and restore files to a secure location.
   EaseUS excels in recovering data from physically intact but logically damaged drives.

Method 5: Fixing a corrupted drive without data loss.

If the drive is corrupted but still detectable:

1. Open This PC, right-click the USB drive (If it’s visible), and select Properties.
2. Navigate to Tools > Check > Scan and repair drive.
   This built-in Windows tool fixes logical errors without third-party software.

Preventive measures and best practices.

1. Regular Backups: Use File History or cloud storage to back up critical files.
2. Safely Eject Drives: Always use the Eject option to avoid file system corruption.
3. Avoid Physical Stress: Protect drives from moisture, extreme temperatures, and impacts.
4. Scan for Malware: Use antivirus software to prevent attribute-changing viruses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover files from a formatted USB drive?

Yes, if the drive was quick-formatted, tools like Disk Drill or Windows File Recovery can recover data. Full formatting overwrites data, making recovery unlikely.

Are free recovery tools reliable?

Yes, other tools like PhotoRec or the above mentioned Windows File Recovery, and Disk Drill’s free tier offer robust recovery options, though paid versions can provide better previews and support.

Why isn’t my USB drive showing up?

Try these fixes:

• Use a different USB port or computer, often the back USB ports deliver more power to the USB device. If you are using a USB Hub, rather plug directly into the USB port directly. The reason is that USB ports can only deliver a certain amount of power and sometimes specific USB ports may be underpowered.
• Update drivers via Device Manager.
• Assign a drive letter in Disk Management.

Conclusion

USB recovery or flash drive recovery on Windows is achievable through systematic troubleshooting. Start with CHKDSK and ATTRIB for quick fixes, then proceed to File History or Windows File Recovery for deeper scans. Third-party tools like Disk Drill offer user-friendly interfaces for non-technical users. Always prioritize data recovery before attempting repairs, and maintain regular backups to mitigate future losses. By acting swiftly and using the right tools, most data loss scenarios can be resolved successfully

REMEMBER: Never recover your data onto the source drive, you will be overwriting the original data. If you are unsure, call My IT Works and we can help.

If you’re not happy to try the above or you haven’t come right, contact us by calling on (031)2661003.