How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software

How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software

Daniel Hall 26/08/2024
How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software

It is really annoying to lose important files from a USB drive, however there are alternative ways of recovering deleted files from a USB without using data recovery software.

You can retrieve deleted files from your USB drive by utilizing services provided by your operating system. 

We will guide you through the process of how to recover deleted files from USB without software on both Windows and MacOS in this article. We will use commands which come with the OS either terminal for mac or command prompt for windows to scan the USB and restore the deleted files. There are no expenses involved in these methods as they do not require any third party software downloads.

Part 1: Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software?

Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files from USB without software. When you delete something, it does not immediately erase on the computer but rather an area gets marked that is again available for writing new data. As long as new information has not overwritten old information, the information can still be retrieved if it was erased completely accidentally. Built-in commands can scan the USB drive and recover deleted files. You need some knowledge of writing commands in command line languages.

Restoring earlier versions of backed up files may be an option if you have File History enabled on Windows. There are free programs that may assist in recent file recovery, although success is not guaranteed with them. In cases where those records matter, physical damage to drives would call for data recovery service attempts.

Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software in Windows?

If you're wondering how to recover deleted files from USB using Command Prompt, this section is for you. In addition, you can get access to lost files by using Windows built-in backup solutions. 

Bonus: Recover Deleted Files from USB in just 3 simple steps

The process of losing files from your USB drive is devastating particularly if those files were valuable or irreplaceable. However, while there are some steps involving built-in windows tools aimed at recovering deleted files, the best results come when using certain designated data recovery software programs.

A recommended tool for this purpose is Tenorshare 4DDiG which has highly advanced and efficient algorithms that facilitate fast retrieval of lost files from USB drives or any storage device.

Here are some key features of this free data recovery software:

  • It can recover lost or deleted files from USB drives and various other devices.

  • The interface is simple with just 3 clicks needed to restore files.

  • 4DDiG supports recovering 2000+ file formats including photos, videos, documents.

  • Both Windows and Mac versions are available.

  • Allows users to recover 2GB of data from a USB drive for free.

  • Higher success rate and faster recovery.

Here are the simple steps to recover deleted files from USB without software using 4DDiG:

1. Download and install 4DDiG for Windows on your computer. Launch the program. Connect your USB drive to the computer and click "Scan" in 4DDiG. It will scan the drive to find recoverable deleted files.

Download_and_install_4DDiG_for_Windows_on_your_computer.png

2. Once the scan completes, the recoverable files will be listed. You can preview files like photos and documents.

Once_the_scan_completes_the_recoverable_files_will_be_listed.png

3. To restore the deleted files from the USB drive, select them. Click on “Recover” and choose where you want to save these files on your computer. 4DDiG will restore lost files from the USB device to a specified location on your computer.

Once_the_scan_completes_the_recoverable_files_will_be_listed.png 

Option A: Use Shadow Copies

You might be able to undo deletion of files from your USB drive by restoring previous versions if System Restore is turned on in your Windows PC. Below are the steps for how to recover deleted files from USB without software. 

  1. Connect your USB drive to your computer. Open File Explorer and navigate to the USB drive.

  2. Right click on the folder where files were deleted and select "Properties".

  3. Go to the "Previous Versions" tab and you will see a list of available restore points.

Option_A-_Use_Shadow_Copies.png

4.  Select a restore point created before the files were deleted. Click "Restore" to retrieve the files.

Option B: Use Backup and Restore Windows 7

In case you had made a backup of your system and files in Windows 7, you can use the Backup and Restore utility to recover deleted files from your USB drive. Here are some general steps to recover deleted files from USB without software: 

  1. Open Backup and Restore in the Control Panel in Windows 7.

  2. Click on "Restore my files" and search for the backup that contains the deleted USB files.

Option_B-_Use_Backup_and_Restore_Windows_7.png

3. Select the backup and click Restore to retrieve the deleted files from the USB drive.

 Select_the_backup_and_click_Restore_to_retrieve_the_deleted_files_from_the_USB_drive.png

Option C: Recover deleted files from USB using CMD

One way is through the use of the command prompt window that is preinstalled in windows thus avoiding recourse to any additional programs on how to recover deleted files from USB using cmd.

Here is how to recover deleted files from USB using command prompt:

  1. Connect the USB drive to your computer and open the Command Prompt as administrator. Type chkdsk X: /f and hit enter to scan the drive for recoverable files (replace X with your USB drive letter).

  2. Once chkdsk completes, type attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:*.* to show hidden and system files.

  3. Open the USB drive in File Explorer to access any recovered files.

Option_C-_Recover_deleted_files_from_USB_using_CMD.png

Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Files from USB without Software on Mac

Option A: Use a Time machine backup

If you have Time Machine backups enabled on your Mac, you may be able to restore previous versions of deleted files from a USB drive. Here is how to recover deleted files from USB without software mac: 

  1. Connect the USB drive and open Finder.

  2. Launch Time Machine from the menu bar and navigate to the backup that contains the deleted file.

ENTER_TIME_MACHINE.png

3. Browse through available backups and locate the deleted file.

4. Select the file and click Restore to retrieve it to its original location.

Select_the_file_and_click_Restore_to_retrieve_it_to_its_original_location.png

Option B: Contact Reputable Data Recovery Services

There are some ways you could attempt to recover deleted files from USB without a software mac. The simplest one is by utilizing the Time Machine; if backups have been activated, you can go to Time Machine and restore past versions of the erased files. 

If recovering through this method fails or for those who don’t have any backup, their final hope lies in experts offering data recovery services commercially. Such firms are pricey but they use customized tools and techniques that provide great chances of getting back lost files from storage devices including USB drives. However, it is important to undertake a thorough scrutiny of reputable service providers offering transparent pricing and successful recovery processes.

Contact_Reputable_Data_Recovery_Services.png

Conclusion

Now you should no longer be puzzled by the quesiton, 'How to recover deleted files from USB using CMD?' The two operating systems Windows and Mac have included some built-in tools, which may help how to recover deleted files from USB without software. However, their efficacy is limited in comparison to using specific software for data recovery. When one wants to restore missing information from the USB drive with certainty, they should use Tenorshare’s 4DDiG. 

The software application 4DDiG makes use of an interface that is easy-to-use along with formidable algorithms for file recovery so as to regain those files that were accidentally erased from usb drives among other devices. It is a cheap, fast and convenient method of getting lost documents, pictures, videos and other important files on both Windows and Macs.

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Daniel Hall

Business Expert

Daniel Hall is an experienced digital marketer, author and world traveller. He spends a lot of his free time flipping through books and learning about a plethora of topics.

 
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