How to Recover Deleted USB Files?

Where Do Deleted Files from a USB Stick Go?

When you delete files from a USB flash drive, they do not go to the Recycle Bin like files deleted from a computer’s internal hard drive. Instead, they are removed differently due to how USB storage works.

USB drives are treated as external storage, and Windows does not place deleted items from external storage into Recycle Bin. So once you delete a file or folder from a USB flash drive, a small confirmation window appears saying, "Are you sure you want to permanently delete…?"If you click on "yes", the file will disappear immediately from the USB drive’s file directory.

💡Also read: Do deleted files from USB go to Recycle Bin?

Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Data from USB?

So, many users might wonder if it is possible to recover deleted USB files. Although the file seems gone, the data is still physically stored on the USB until new data overwrites it.

When you delete a file from USB:

• Windows only marks the space it occupies as available for reuse.
• Only the file’s directory entry (pointer) is deleted.
• The original data remains on the USB’s memory chips.
• Actual data blocks are still intact temporarily.
• Recovery tools can scan, locate these "orphaned" data blocks and restore them.

So, it ispossible to recover deleted USB files.

When Deleted USB Files Cannot Be Recovered?

New files are copied to the USB (overwriting old data)

The USB has physical damage or memory chip failure

How to Recover Deleted USB Files?

Although you won’t be able to restore files from the Recycle Bin when you accidentally deleted files from your USB flash drive (like those deleted from the computer internal drive), there are still several reliable ways to get them back. Follow the methods below to restore your lost files safely from USB sticks.

Before getting started, you can check whether you have any of the following backups. If you have, you may be able to restore them without any third-party tools:

File History.

Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Your cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.).

Manual copies saved on other storage devices.

Method 1. Recover Files Deleted from USB using Command Prompt [Winfr]

Windows File Recovery (Winfr) is a free tool from Microsoft designed to recover lost or deleted files from your local storage device (including internal drives, external drives, memory card and USB devices). It runs through the Command Prompt and is available only on Windows 10 and Windows 11. This method is suitable for both accidentally deleted files and files lost due to formatting.

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

Step 2. Connect your USB flash drive to your computer.

Step 3. Open "Command Prompt" as administrator.A direct way is pressing Win+X at the same time and choose "Command Prompt"(admin).

Step 4. Run the Winfr command using the appropriate mode. For example: winfr I: D: /regular /n *.orf

Winfr:	Calls the Windows File Recovery tool.
I:	The source drive, which is the USB or storage device you want to recover files from.
D:	The destination drive, where the recovered files will be saved. Important: Do not save to the same USB drive to avoid overwriting deleted data.
/regular:	Recovery mode for normally deleted files on NTFS drives. If the USB is formatted, corrupted, or uses FAT/FAT32/exFAT, use "/extensive" instead.
/n *.orf	Specifies which files to recover. *.orf means only files with the .orf extension (e.g., Olympus RAW camera files recovery) will be recovered. You can change it to *.* to recover all files, or specify another file type such as *.jpg or *.docx.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions. Recovered files will be saved to the destination folder you specified.

Method 2. Recover Files Deleted on USB Drive by MyRecover [Recommended]

While Windows File Recovery (Winfr) is a free and effective tool for recovering deleted USB files, it requires using Command Prompt and can be challenging for beginners. For a simpler and more user-friendly option, MyRecover is highly recommended.

It is a powerful data recovery software that makes it easy to restore deleted files from USB drives. It supports recovering documents, photos, videos, and more—even after accidental deletion, formatting, or virus attacks. Unlike Winfr, it doesn’t require technical skills or working with the Command Prompt, making it ideal for beginners and everyday users.

Step 1. Download the freeware and install it on your computer. Do not install it on the USB drive you want to recover files from to avoid overwriting deleted data.

Step 2. Plug the USB flash drive into your computer. Make sure it appears in "This PC" or "File Explorer".

Step 3. Launch MyRecover. On the main screen, you will see a list of drives connected to your computer.Click on the USB drive you want to recover files from. Then click "Scan".

Step 5. MyRecover will perform a "Quick Scan"or a "Deep Scan" to find all lost files. Once the scan is complete, browse through the folder structure or use the search bar to find specific files.

★You can preview files such as photos, documents, and videos before recoverywith Professional or Technician edition.

Step 6. Check the boxes next to the files you want to restore.Click "Recover X Files".Choose a "different drive" (not the USB) to save the recovered files.

Wait for the process to finish. Your deleted USB files are now restored.

Closing Thoughts

Accidentally deleting files from a USB flash drive but cannot find them in Recycle Bin? No way to get them back! No, as long as the data hasn’t been overwritten, it is often recoverable. Whether you choose Windows File Recovery (Winfr) for a free, command-line solution or MyRecover for a simpler, user-friendly approach, following the correct steps can help you safely restore deleted USB files.

Apart from recovering files from USB, MyRecover is also able to restore data from SSD, HDD, memory card, camera and and more—supporting over 500 types of devices in total.