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USB flash drives have become an essential tool for transferring and storing data between devices. They are widely used for storing personal and professional data such as photos, videos, music, and documents. However, there are times when we accidentally format the USB drive and lose all the data stored on it. This can be a frustrating experience, especially if we do not have a backup of the data. Therefore, it is important to learn how to recover deleted data from a USB flash drive after formatting.
Formatting a USB flash drive is a process of deleting the data stored on it and preparing it for new data. Sometimes we format the USB drive accidentally, while other times we format it intentionally to get rid of unnecessary data. However, once you format the USB flash drive, the data is not permanently erased. The data is still present on the drive but is no longer visible. Therefore, if you act quickly, you can recover deleted data from a USB flash drive after formatting.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To recover deleted data from a USB flash drive after formatting, you will need a computer, a USB flash drive recovery software, and a USB card reader. The USB card reader is necessary if your computer does not have a USB port that is compatible with your USB flash drive. You will also need a secure and reliable USB recovery software that can effectively recover deleted data from a formatted USB flash drive.
What requires your attention is…?
When recovering deleted data from a USB flash drive after formatting, it is important to act quickly. Once a new file is saved on the USB flash drive, the chances of recovering the deleted data decrease. Therefore, you should stop using the USB flash drive as soon as you realize that you have accidentally formatted it.
You should also make sure that you have installed a reliable and secure USB recovery software to ensure that your data is not further damaged during the recovery process.
3 Methods to Recover Deleted Data From USB Flash Drive after Formatting
Method 1: Use a USB Recovery Software to Recover Deleted Data
1. Download and install a USB recovery software like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, or Recuva.
2. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer using a USB card reader.
3. Launch the USB recovery software and select the USB flash drive from the list of available devices.
4. Click on the "Scan" button to start scanning for deleted files on the USB flash drive.
5. Once the scan is complete, you can preview the deleted files and select the ones you want to recover.
6. Click on the "Recover" button to start recovering the deleted files to your computer.
Pros: Easy to use, can recover a variety of file types, can recover data from a formatted or corrupted USB flash drive.
Cons: It may take a long time to scan for deleted files, some files may be irrecoverable.
Method 2: Use CMD to Recover Deleted Data
1. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer using a USB card reader.
2. Press "Win+R" to open the "Run" dialog box, type "cmd" and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
3. Type "chkdsk F:/f" (replace "F" with the letter of the USB drive) and press Enter to start the scanning process.
4. After the scan is complete, type "F:" (replace "F" with the letter of the USB drive) and press Enter to switch to the USB flash drive directory.
5. Type "attrib -h -r -s /s /d *" and press Enter to unhide all the hidden files and folders on the USB flash drive.
6. You can now navigate to the USB flash drive directory and select the files you want to recover.
Pros: Free to use, does not require installation of any third-party software.
Cons: Not as effective as USB recovery software, can only recover a limited number of file types.
Method 3: Use a Backup to Recover Deleted Data from USB Flash Drive
1. Connect the USB flash drive to the computer using a USB card reader.
2. Check if you have a backup of the data on the USB flash drive. If you do, copy the backed-up files to your computer or another USB flash drive.
3. If you do not have a backup, check if the data is still present on the original device from where you copied or saved it to the USB flash drive. If it is, copy the files back to the USB flash drive.
4. If you do not have a backup and the data is not present on the original device, use USB recovery software to recover the deleted files.
Pros: Quick and easy if you have a backup.
Cons: If you do not have a backup, this method may not be effective.
Why Can’t I Recover Deleted Data From USB Flash Drive After Formatting
1. You have used the USB flash drive after formatting it, which has overwritten the deleted data and made it impossible to recover.
2. The USB flash drive has physical damage or corruption, making it difficult or impossible to recover data.
3. The recovery software you are using is not compatible with the formatting system used on the USB flash drive, making it difficult to recover the data.
Implications and Recommendations
Losing data can have serious implications, especially if it contains personal or professional information. Therefore, it is important to back up your data regularly to prevent data loss.
In addition, when storing important data on a USB flash drive, it is recommended that you store a backup copy of the data on another device and use a reliable and high-quality USB flash drive. You should also consider using a USB flash drive recovery software as a precautionary measure.
5 FAQs
Q: Is it possible to recover deleted data from a USB flash drive that has been formatted multiple times?
A: Yes, it is possible if the data has not been overwritten.
Q: Can I recover data from a USB flash drive that has physical damage?
A: It depends on the level of damage. Minor damage may be recoverable, while severe damage may result in permanent data loss.
Q: How long does it take to recover deleted data from a formatted USB flash drive?
A: The time it takes to recover data depends on the size of the USB flash drive and the number of files to be recovered.
Q: What should I do if the USB recovery software fails to recover my data?
A: You can try using another USB recovery software or consult a professional data recovery service.
Q: Can I prevent data loss on a USB flash drive?
A: Yes, you can prevent data loss by backing up your data regularly and avoid storing important data on a single device.
Conclusion
Formatting a USB flash drive can result in the loss of all the data stored on it. However, with the help of reliable USB recovery software, you can recover your deleted data. It is important to act quickly and avoid using the USB flash drive as soon as you realize that you have accidentally formatted it. Additionally, it is recommended that you regularly back up your data to prevent data loss.