How to Recover Data from HP Flash Drives [2021]

Sue Wayne

Apr 10, 2023 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

A Portable USB Flash Drive is a storage device that lets you save all your information, images, and videos securely. It keeps the data secure and you can revisit it whenever you want. HP offers some of the finest flash drives that come in the storage range 2 GB to 1TB as well. But you cannot be 100% sure that the data within the flash drive is not going to be erased at all. There are several reasons why that can happen. But how to recover data from HP flash drive? The first thing to keep in mind is to not overwrite or change anything about the flash drive after the data is lost. This will make the recovery process hard and completely impossible too. That being said, this is how you can recover data from HP Flash Drive.

Why Do You Lose Data on Flash Drives

There are many reasons why you might lose data on your USB Flash Drive. Some are your fault while others are beyond your control. The most common reasons for the data erase are:

1. Malware or Virus: When you connect your USB Flash Drive to an infected device or download unknown files directly to the USB drive, it can get infected by the viruses. These can mask the existing files or completely erase them. When the files are masked, your computer will not identify them. Sometimes, even the USB drive will not be recognized by the computer because of the malware. In any case, try not to overwrite the USB Flash Drive.

2. System Abruptions: When you have the flash drive attached to the PC and you suddenly shut down the computer, you can lose the data on your Pendrive. Also, if you have any system anomalies, a sudden shut down while accessing the files on the pen drive can also delete the content of the pen drives. This makes it a little tricky to handle HP Flash Drive recovery.

3. Mishandling: One thing you should never do is handle your technology gadgets roughly. If you push or pull the flash drive harshly, it can disrupt the minute structures within and delete the data. So, remember to handle them with care and sensitivity.

4. Power Surges: Flash drives are extremely small gadgets that have minute internal builds. So, in case of a significant power outage, voltage fluctuation that surges through your computer to the flash drive, can erase data or even spoil your device entirely. That is a battle for another day.

3 Methods to Recover Data

Here are three different methods that you can use to recover the files that were on the flash drive.

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

Command prompt is a system tool that can be accessed only by the administrator account ( if you have multiple accounts on your PC/Laptop). It is a fairly simple process and offers a solution most of the time.

Step 1: Refresh your computer and insert the HP Flash Drive into the designated space.

Step 2: Go to 'Start' Menu and select the 'Command Prompt' option. You can even type it out in the search bar.

Step 3: Type "chkdsk X; /f" into the window. In place of X, type the drive letter that has been designated to the USB Flash Drive.

Step 4: Now type "ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*" and make sure that you type the flash drive's drive letter in place of X, just like you've done in the previous step.

Step 5: Finally, wait for the process and do not interrupt it at any cost.

Method 2: Using the Backup

You can recover data from hp flash drive by using data backup. This is when you have a copy of the files on any other device. This includes something you've saved on another flash drive, compact disks, mobile, or your computer. If you have it on cloud storage, even then you can retrieve what you want onto your computer and re-save it.

Firstly, make sure there is no malware or virus on your HP Flash drive. Then you can resave the files on your flash drive. But by doing so, you will be completely deleting the files that were previously present on the flash drive that was affected.

This step may not be feasible for all-seeing how everyone will not be maintaining a second backup of their data.

The best way to recover files from an HP Flash Drive during a surprise data erase is to go with good recovery software. They are swift, accurate and the advanced recovery options can get back most of the data that you've lost due to external reasons.

Method 3: Using Wondershare Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit is one of the finest software in the market to tackle data recovery. Not just HP Flash Drives, it can help with data recovery from several devices and cards, The Advanced recovery options will make it easy to get back data in the least time possible with only a few clicks.

Start off by downloading the Wondershare Recoverit software from the button below and then Launch the application:

Step 1: After you launch the Wondershare application, go with the 'External Devices Recovery' option that you'd find on the screen.

Step 2: Now you can connect the HP Flash Drive to the computer. Now, if the device is properly connected, you would see it on the screen. Select the HP Flash drive and try for data recovery.

Step 3: As soon as the device is selected, the device will run a complete scan to recover data. If you cannot find the device, you can choose the 'deep scan' option. However, this will take more time but it is completely worth it.

Step 4: All the recovered files with their original names will be displayed on the screen. You can choose the files that you want to restore and then click on 'Recover'. This way, you will get back everything that you previously lost.

This software allows you to recover files of any format or from any device as long as they are not too damaged to be processed. Out of the three options, this one happens to be the best for immediate results.

How to Prevent Future Flash Drive Data Loss

Most of the time, it becomes difficult to decipher why the HP Flash Drive has lost the data. And if it is too urgent, it is even difficult to lay a finger on the actual cause because our mind is worried and racing. To avoid such situations, you can take care of a few things so that the Flash Drive won't be compromised at all. Even after following all these tips, you can still lose data and that's when the above-mentioned methods will be extremely useful for you.

1. Do not shut down your computer when you have the USB Flash Drive attached to your computer. Also, once you are done with the work, eject the flash drive before doing any other work on the computer.

2. Always use good antivirus software to keep malware out of the picture. Scan your USB Flash Drive as soon as you attach it and also when you eject it from another computer/Laptop.

3. If your house has any voltage fluctuations, ensure you have a good stabilizer connected to your PC or get a proper power source.

4. Never directly pull out your HP Flash Drive without ejecting it properly on the taskbar first.

5. Do not physically damage your flash drive. Always keep them in a secure and safe place.

If you can manage this, hp flash drive recovery is something you won't have to deal with. Always stay safe than sorry.

Conclusion

The USB Flash drives are very gentle and cannot handle the stress that people often subject them to. That is the reason they end up losing out on data most of the time. It becomes difficult to get back data once it slips out of its memory. Even with the several methods that we've discussed, it is not completely possible that you'll get back everything you've lost. However, a sure shot option that you have is - using Wondershare Recoverit. The software is designed to retrieve files from the HP Flash Drives that are similarly damaged. So, you can stay assured that you will get back most of what you've lost. One thing to always keep in mind is to not overwrite.