From data transfer to file backup, USB flash drives play an indispensable role in our daily lives. However, your data stored on USB drives can be lost due to various reasons, such as accidental deletion, formatting, and virus attacks. In such cases, most users are aware that data recovery tools can be a lifesaver. However, the question is: how to recover deleted files from USB without using software?
In this article, we will delve into the world of USB data recovery and provide 4 simple ways to recover deleted files from flash drive without using additional software. Whether you’re a Mac or Windows user, we’ve got you covered.
Part 1: Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software?
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Where do files deleted from USB end up?
When you delete files from a USB drive, they typically bypass the Recycle Bin/Trash, leading many to believe that the files are gone forever. However, this is not true. The act of deleting files usually only marks them as space that can be overwritten, rather than immediately erasing the file contents. with the right methods, you can easily recover deleted files from usb without software.
1.2 What should you do before USB data recovery?
You might wonder how long it takes for deleted files on a USB to be overwritten by new data. In theory, as long as you don’t continue using the USB, the old data will remain on it indefinitely. But before attempting data recovery, you should do a few things to increase your chances of success:
- Stay calm and think about how much you know about fixing this kind of stuff.
- Don’t use the USB anymore to prevent new data from overwriting the deleted files.
- Check if you have recent backups or if you used any backup tools lately. If you have a backup, getting your files back is much easier.
Bonus Tip: Reliable tool to recover deleted files from USB
When you have no backup available or the backup is lost, it is difficult to recover deleted files from USB without software. There is no doubt that using a dedicated recovery tool is a relatively reliable and easier method. Among the many options, Tenorshare 4DDiG data recovery stands out for its effectiveness and simplicity. This free software not only covers common data loss scenarios but also supports recovery of deleted files from over 2,000 storage media. Even if you computer experience is limited, you can recover lost files with just a few clicks.
Here is how to use Tenorshare 4DDiG to recover deleted/lost files from USB drive:
Step 1: Launch the 4DDiG data recovery toolon your Windows or Mac. Select your USB drive from the home interface and click on “Scan” button to find lost files.
Step 2: During the scanning process, you will see a list of files that can be recovered on the interface. In addition, you can quickly locate lost files through file view or tree view.
Step 3: Now just select the files that you need and hit the “Recover” button. Once you’ve selected the destination for the recovered data, the entire data recovery process will be completed.
That’s it! Now, let’s look at how to recover deleted files from USB without software!
Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software on Mac?
Fix 1: Recover deleted files from USB with Time Machine
The simplest and safest way to recover deleted files from USB without software on Mac is to use Time Machine. It is a built-in backup feature on Mac that automatically backs up your entire system, including important files and installed applications. However, this backup tool doesn’t work if you do not configure it before the files are deleted. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: First of all, connect the flash drive to your Mac. Locate the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and choose “Enter Time Machine.”
Step 2: Go to the date before the files were deleted from your USB drive.
Step 3: Navigate the folder where the deleted files were originally located. Preview and select the files you wish to recover.
Step 4: Simply click the “Restore” button to get back the lost files.
Fix 2: Show hidden files by Terminal
how to recover deleted files from usb without software mac? In fact, some technical staff or users prefer utilizing Terminal for a more hands-on approach. If you are familiar with this powerful command-line tool, follow these steps to recover lost files:
Step 1: Open the Terminal app through Finder, then type the following command:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
Step 2: Next, enter the killall Finder command to reveal hidden files.
Step 3: Now, open your USB drive and check if there are any lost files that you need.
Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software on Windows?
Fix 3: Recover Deleted files from USB using File History
Like Time Machine on Mac, File History is also a powerful backup tool that allows you to recover deleted files from USB without software. Whether your important files are lost, deleted, or damaged, it can be your most reliable assistant. Here is how:
Step 1: Plug the USB drive into your PC and locate it in File Explorer.
Step 2: Go to the folder that contains the deleted files. Right-click on it and opt for “Restore previous versions.”
Step 3: You will see a list of previous versions of the folder. Each version is accompanied by a timestamp indicating when it was saved.
Step 4: Preview an earlier version to make sure it contains the files you need.
Step 5: Select the version and simply click on the “Restore” button.
Fix 4: Recover Deleted files from USB by Command Prompt
To be honest, the success rate of recovery using the Command Prompt is not high. This tool is more suitable for recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin or displaying some hidden or missing files on your USB drive. Follow these steps to recover deleted files from USB without software:
Step 1: Connect your USB drive to the PC. Then, right-click on the Windows Start button and choose “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Type the chkdsk X:/f command and press Enter to run it. Don’t forget to replace X with the drive letter assigned to your pendrive.
Step 3: Now, enter the attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:*.* command and execute it. (Replace X with the actual drive letter of the USB drive.)
Step 4: If successful, you can find the recovered files in a new folder on the flash drive. Furthermore, it is necessary to modify the file extensions to a normal format.
Part 4: Tips for Prevent USB Data Loss
Now, you should no longer need to worry about how to recover deleted files from USB without software. But the bad news is data loss often occurs, and even your USB is not an exception. Therefore, it’s crucial to take certain precautions in the future:
- Safely Eject USB Drives: Always use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option before unplugging your USB drive.
- Regular Backups: Whether through cloud services or external drives, having regular backups always provides a safety net in case of unexpected data loss.
- Monitor Storage Capacity: Avoid filling your USB drive to its maximum capacity. Overloading the drive can lead to data corruption and decrease its overall lifespan.
- Update Device Drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers may cause compatibility issues, potentially leading to data transfer errors or loss. Regularly check for updates to keep your drivers in optimal condition.
Final Words
It can be a frustrating experience when you lose important files on your storage devices. Fortunately, it’s often possible to recover deleted files from USB without using software. If you are looking for an effective and easy way to recover deleted files, we strongly recommend trying Tenorshare 4DDiG. No matter what you’ve lost, 4DDiG data recovery software can easily recover lost data such as emails, documents, videos, photos, and more.
