USB Data Recovery: How to Recover Data From USB Drives
Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server
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Table of Contents
Why USB Data Disappeared? Common Causes of USB File Loss
Understanding why USB data disappeared is the first step toward successful recovery. The most frequent causes include:
- Accidental deletion – files are removed without backup.
- Formatting – quick or full format erases the file table.
- RAW drive issue – when the file system is corrupted, Windows shows the USB as RAW.
- Physical damage – hardware-level faults that require professional labs.
Each scenario requires a different USB file recovery approach.
Manual Methods vs Software (Comparison Table)
Case | Manual Method | Difficulty | Best Choice |
Deleted files | Find and fix deleted directory entries | High | Recovery software |
Quick format | Find and recover original directory entries and file system parameters | Medium | Recovery software |
Full format | None | Extremely High | None |
RAW USB | CHKDSK. Analyze and repair file system error | Medium | Recovery software |
Physical damage | Not possible with software | Very High | Professional recovery labs |
USB Data Recovery After Accidental Deletion
When files are deleted, Windows marks the storage space as available but does not immediately erase the content. This means recovery is still possible as long as new data has not overwritten the drive.
Recovery option: Use Magic Data Recovery to scan and restore deleted items.
USB File Recovery from a Formatted Drive
According to Microsoft their official documentation, formatting a USB removes the file allocation table, making files appear gone. But the actual data may still remain.
- Quick Format: Only resets the file system pointers; data is usually recoverable.
- Full Format: Almost impossible. A full format completely wipes the drives.
Recovery option: Do Not write any new files to the drive and use data recovery software to find the lost files.
How to Recover Data from a RAW USB Drive
A RAW USB drive means the file system (FAT32/NTFS/exFAT) is corrupted, making the drive unreadable. Windows may prompt: “You need to format the disk before you can use it.“
Steps to attempt USB data recovery:
1. Press Win button and enter “CMD”. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with your USB drive letter).
3. If successful, the file system may be repaired.
The Most Reliable Way: USB Data Recovery with Magic Data Recovery
While manual methods can work, they often require technical skills and may fail if the problem is severe. For users who want a simple, safe, and effective solution, Magic Data Recovery is an excellent choice.
- No expertise needed – intuitive interface for beginners.
- Covers all scenarios – deleted, formatted, or RAW USB drives.
- Supports multiple file types – documents, photos, videos, archives, and more.
- Safe recovery process – read-only mode prevents further damage.
With just a few clicks, even complex USB file recovery cases become manageable.
How to Use Magic Data Recovery for USB Data Recovery
Using Magic Data Recovery is straightforward and beginner-friendly:
1.Download & Install: Get Magic Data Recovery from the official website.
Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server
3.Wait till the scan completes. It will list all the files it can find from the USB.
5.Recover & Save: Select the files you need and restore them to a safe location (not on the original USB drive).
With just these simple steps, you can recover the data without specialized knowledge from USB drive in most cases.
Here is a video tutorial for reference.
Conclusion
Supports Windows 7/8/10/11 and Windows Server
USB Data Recovery FAQs
1. Can USB data be recovered?
2. How do I fix a RAW USB and perform USB data recovery?
3. Does USB data recovery work if the USB is physically damaged?
