Do Deleted Files from USB Go to the Recycle Bin? Here's the Answer

Do Deleted Files from USB Go to Recycle Bin?

In most cases, no! Deleted files from a USB flash drive do not go to the Recycle Bin. When you delete a file directly from a USB device (e.g., right-click > Delete or pressing the Delete key), it bypasses the Recycle Bin and is immediately removed from the file system’s index.

Do USB Drives Have a Recycle Bin?

USB drives do not have their own Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a feature tied to your computer’s local storage. Since USB flash drives are treated as external storage, deleted files are not sent to the Recycle Bin but are instead permanently hidden from view.

However, there's one exception: If you copy a file from the USB to your PC and delete it from the local drive, then it will go to the Recycle Bin. That’s because the deletion occurs within the internal drive, not on the USB itself.

How to Recover Deleted Files from a USB Flash Drive?

From above, we know deleted files from USB drives don’t go to the Recycle Bin. But where do deleted files go from a USB flash drive? When you delete files from a USB flash drive, they are immediately removed from the file system’s directory, making them invisible to you, but not yet physically erased from the USB drive's memory. This creates a window of opportunity for recovery.

That’s why many users search for ways to recover deleted files from USB flash drives, especially when important documents, photos, or work files are removed by accident. There are two effective ways to recover deleted files from a USB flash drive: using the Windows File Recovery command-line tool, or with the more user-friendly MyRecover software.

Method 1: Use Windows File Recovery (Command Line Tool)

If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, Windows File Recovery is a free utility from Microsoft that can help retrieve deleted files. The tool scans for deleted file fragments and attempts to reconstruct them. It supports various recovery modes, including Regular and Extensive, based on how recently the files were deleted and the file system type.

Note: it is only available in Windows 10 and later versions.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (press Win+X at the same time and choose Command Prompt admin).

Step 3. Use the following command structure: winfr F: E: /regular

(F: is your USB drive, E: is where recovered files will be saved and regular is the scanning mode, suitable for searching for recently deleted files on NTFS drive. For recovering data from formatted drive, or performing FAT / exFAT drive recovery, try Extensive mode)

Wait for the scan to complete. Check the output folder for recoverable files. When it is done, you can press Y key on your keyboard to directly open the destination folder.

Method 2: Recover Files Easily with MyRecover

While powerful, learning and running Windows File Recovery commands require familiarity with command syntax and may not be ideal for beginners. For a more beginner-friendly and visual approach, FREE MyRecover is an excellent choice. It supports over 1,000 file types and works with internal or external HDDs, SSDs, removale USB drive, SD card and more.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Plug in your USB flash drive and launch MyRecover. Select the USB drive, then click “Scan”.

Step 3. Browse and locate the files you need quickly using Search, Filter by Size, Filter by Type,

Step 4. Select the files you need and click “Recover”.

Step 5. Saving them to a different drive.

MyRecover is ideal for users who want a fast, reliable, and intuitive recovery experience without dealing with complex commands. Apart from recovering data from common storage device, it is also able to recover files from Xbox, PS consoles, camera and other media.

Final Thoughts

Now, you should find the answer to the question- do deleted files from USB go to Recylce Bin. Although USB flash drives don’t have a Recycle Bin, that doesn’t mean deleted files are gone forever. Whether you’re tech-savvy and comfortable using Windows File Recovery, or prefer an easier, beginner-friendly solution like MyRecover, either can help you restore deleted files.

To maximize your chances of success and ease of entire operation, MyRecover is more recommended. You can also try its Professional edition, which boasts advanced features: preview before recovery, create bootable media and recover data from crashed computers, unlimited data recovery quota, etc.