Can you still recover files from a fully formatted flash drive or USB stick?

Mack Wilson

Former Writer at Wondershare

Can you still recover files from a fully formatted flash drive or USB stick?

Recovering files from a fully formatted flash drive or USB stick can be challenging, but it is not always impossible. The chances of successful recovery depend on several factors, including the extent of the formatting, the type of file system used, and whether new data has been written to the drive since the formatting occurred. Here are some steps you can take to attempt file recovery:

Stop Using the Flash Drive:

• Avoid using the flash drive immediately to prevent overwriting the data. Any new data written to the drive after formatting reduces the chances of successful recovery.

Use Data Recovery Software:

• Utilize data recovery software such as Wondershare Repairit,EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Disk Drill, or PhotoRec. These tools can often scan the drive for lost files and attempt to recover them.

Choose the Right Scan Mode:

• Data recovery software typically offers different scan modes. Start with a quick scan to identify recently deleted files, and if that doesn't yield satisfactory results, perform a deep or full scan for a more thorough search.

Check for File System Changes:

• If the drive was formatted with a quick format (which doesn't overwrite the entire file system), the chances of recovery are higher. Full formats overwrite the file system structures, making recovery more difficult.

Recover to a Different Drive:

• When using data recovery software, recover the files to a different drive to avoid overwriting the original data.

Seek Professional Help:

• If the data is critical and regular recovery methods are unsuccessful, consider contacting professional data recovery services. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from challenging scenarios.

Important Considerations:

• Time is Critical: The sooner you attempt data recovery, the better. Avoid using the flash drive to minimize the risk of overwriting the data.
• Prevent Overwriting: Overwriting is the primary concern when trying to recover files. Any new data written to the drive after formatting can overwrite the space previously occupied by the deleted files.
• No Guarantees: Recovery success is not guaranteed, especially if the drive has been extensively used or if a secure formatting method was employed.
• Regular Backups: To avoid such situations in the future, regularly back up your important data.