[2024] The Best Free Flash Drive Recovery Software & Tool

Theo Lucia

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

A damaged or corrupted USB flash drive can lead to data loss. However, you may still retrieve your files before attempting to repair the drive. On this page, you can download effective free USB drive recovery software to quickly recover lost files.

Tip: Make sure the USB flash drive connected to the computer can be recognized, and the USB data recovery software can scan it. What if your device can not be recognized, you can follow the guide learn how to fix USB flash drive not recognized in Windows.

Part 1. The Best Free Flash Drive Recovery Software -Recoverit

Recoverit Data Recovery is a powerful free flash drive recovery program on the recovery software market. It can recover any data files from a flash drive device, and the software supports to deep scan the device to search your lost files. Check more specific features as below and recover your data back.

The USB data recovery program can be easy to recover deleted files from USB flash drive on Windows and MAC. Undeleted files from a formatted USB device, restore files after virus-infected USB, or any other data loss issue from USB flash drive.

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Part 2. How to Recover Lost Files from a Flash Drive with EASE

Download and install Recoverit Free Flash Drive Recovery software on your computer. The following steps will work on a Windows computer; if you are working on a Mac computer, you should download Recoverit Mac Data Recovery as below and follow the similar steps to process. Also, connect your flash drive to the computer and detected.

Step 1. Select the thumb drive

Launch Recoverit USB Recovery on your computer. To recover files from a USB flash drive, you need to select your flash drive, which detected on the computer, and click the "Scan" button to starting scanning.

Step 2. Scanning the pen drive

Recoverit Free USB Stick Recovery will start to scan the flash drive device, which is quick and thorough. You can find the data present the pen drive show up gradually.

Step 3. Preview and recover files from a flash drive

After the scanning, you can check all recovered files. It supports preview of some recovered pictures, videos, audios, and files. Select your files and get them back by clicking "Recover" button.

With the pen drive data recovery software, you can retrieve your lost data from the flash drive effortlessly. Download and try it to recover your data back for free now.

Part 3. The Most Common Reasons for Flash Drive Data Loss

Data files get lost and are frustrating. In this part, we list all data loss symptoms, and you can check all that in case your data will be lost from the USB flash drive. Except follow the next tips to avoid data loss, the more useful way to keep your data safe is back-up. You should do a back-up for your essential data files regularly.

The majority of the hardcore PC users presume that flash drives are more reliable when compared to hard drives. The flash devices do not contain any sorts of moving parts. It is vulnerable to damage and even data loss under any situation. As a result, PC users should take precautions to block flash drive data loss.

1. Overheating: Brand new expensive flash drives could manage temperature ranging between -13 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the least costly USB flash drives are prone to heat damage. Persistent heat could degrade the solder; dislodge essential parts, thereby leading to permanent damage to the USB connectors. Note that camera cards are also susceptible to overheating at any point in time. In typical cases, a USB drive operates well in standard room temperature. If the storage media is found to extremely hot, then it is suggested to detach the drive from the USB port immediately.

2. Hard physical impacts: USB flash drives contain flimsy and delicate USB connectors. The default camera cards cannot handle extreme pressure. If a flash drive is inserted into the PC with force, the connectors might get damaged, thereby making it difficult to access the data. Therefore, the user should handle the flash drive with extreme caution. Do not apply enormous pressure both during insertion or unplugging the thumb drive. If you happen to damage the device, do not experiment to repair it. Instead, contact a professional data recovery company to resolve it.

3. File Corruption: When a PC is in the process of transferring information to a USB flash drive, it has to be 100% complete without any sorts of interruption in the middle. The desktop PC will not be able to complete the task if a computer program is found to be crashed, power failure, or inadvertently unplugging the device while transferring the data. It might end up in file corruption.

4. Unintentional deletion of files: A USB flash drive should be formatted to be compatible with various computer systems. File deletion is a common problem in the eyes of data recovery companies. A computer user presumes that a copy of a specific file already exists. Sometimes one may even execute accidental edits that overwrite crucial information.

5. Data Loss due to malicious software: Various harmful and deadly programs, including Trojan horses, viruses, worms, could invade a USB flash drive. Most of the computer users take advantage of a flash drive to get access to many PC's. The removable media is the ultimate portal for the entry of malicious programs.

Part 4. Tips for Keeping Data Safe on USB Flash Drive

Both privacy and security are some of the significant factors to be considered by a computer user. They need to be aware of the imminent dangers of their private information, including password and login details being disclosed to the outside world. With the advent of a USB flash drive, the users can now store an ample quantity of crucial data. However, quite a few USB flash drives do not guarantee adequate protection and security. The stakes are high since either a thumb drive can be stolen, or it might end up in the wrong hands as well. A USB flash drive is suitable to store temporary data or transferring of data.

No worries, there are few feasible ways to secure your data on your USB flash drive to prevent further data loss. Five essential tools could encrypt the files and, at the same time, guarantees additional security and protection by safely hiding the files on a USB flash drive.

• Back-Up files: It is not recommended to depend only on a USB flash drive to save the information. Instead, you may back up vital files by writing it to a DVD or a secondary flash drive. Today, DVD's, CD's are available at throwaway rates. Therefore, there is no harm in investing in procuring additional devices to back up the data.
• Make sure there is no spark while you are attempting to plug the USB flash drive into the USB port on the desktop PC. It is an electrostatic discharge that exists between a flash drive and a PC. One should be extremely cautious since it might even damage both the desktop PC and the thumb drive as well. This would ultimately end up in data loss and permanent damage to the USB flash drive.
• Slowly and steadily unplug the USB flash drive: You need to pay close attention while inserting and disconnecting a USB thumb drive from the USB port of a desktop PC. There are specific procedures to remove the device safely from a desktop PC. You are required to strictly follow the rules before unplugging the device from the port. Ensure that the drive is not unplugged when you are accessing the data or transfer of data is taking place since it could lead to degradation of the drive.
• Do not ever attempt to drop the USB flash drive: If you inadvertently drop a thumb drive, it might lead to physical damage. To avoid such risks, it is recommended to purchase a USB lanyard or a key ring since it stays firmly to your body waist.
• Prevent the USB flash drive from intense pressure: A USB flash drive is vulnerable to extreme weight. It is a fragile device when compared to a standard hard disk. It is more likely to undergo high pressure if it is not handled correctly. So you need to make sure that it is kept lightweight.
• Insert cap on the top of a USB flash drive: A USB flash drive is susceptible to the accumulation of dust and debris. So it is suggested to cover the edge of a USB flash drive with a cap. Therefore, after using the USB thumb drive, do not forget to insert the lid to prevent damage, and further data loss in the future.
• Avoid USB thumb drive defragmentation: Do not ever attempt to execute defrag a USB flash drive. This process is meaningless; instead, it would just enhance the degradation of the flash drive.

USB thumb drives are undoubtedly one of the top preferred devices to store data due to its remarkable speed, size, and durability. These are some of the best ways to recover files from USB flash drives. However, ensure that you safeguard the USB flash drive by carefully going through the tips as mentioned above to prevent data loss and file corruption—download Recoverit Free Data Recovery as below and back to Part 2 of flash drive data recovery.