Do deleted files from USB go to Recycle Bin? Check this post to learn where do files deleted from USB go and how to get them back.
When using USB flash drives on your computer to manage your files, please be careful if you need to "delete" something – you might delete an important file and can never find it anywhere on the computer.
What happens to a file when you delete it off a flash drive? I noticed it doesn't end up in the trash/recycle bin. Why is that?
- Question from Quora
Many people have noticed that after deleting items from a USB or SD card, they will find deleted files not in the Recycle Bin.
You might have seen this prompt when you try to remove something from a USB device: "Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?"
That's the answer. Where do files deleted from USB go? They are removed from the device permanently but not moved to the Recycle Bin. And similarly, this is why you could not find the deleted files in the trash can.
Please don't panic; just because the data have been permanently lost doesn't imply you won't be able to restore them.
In fact, a deleted file is not actually erased; instead, the pointer to the exact file is removed. Meanwhile, the file's storage space will be marked as "free," indicating that it is available for new data to occupy/overwrite.
The deleted files will be erased once new data replaces the space.
As a result, as long as you stop using the USB and avoid overwriting, you can recover deleted data from USB.
In this part, the feasible methods to retrieve erased data from USB flash drives will be given with detailed instructions.
When a file is deleted from the C drive, you could restore it from the root Recycle Bin and also restore previous version of the files and folder to get it back.
But it won't work on a USB because the File History and Previous Version can only save copies of a local hard disk.
Instead, you could turn to Microsoft's official tool. Windows File Recovery can be of help if you are familiar with commands. But for ordinary users, it will be too difficult to handle.
Refer to the Windows File Recovery user guide for more detailed information about this tool. Now follow the brief instructions to restore files from USB.
Step 1. Connect the flash drive to your computer > go to This PC > right-click on the pen drive > Properties. Check the File System.
Step 2. Choose a recovery mode according to the file system and data loss situation.
| File system | Scenarios | mode |
| NTFS | Deleted recently | Regular |
| NTFS | Deleted for a while | Extensive |
| NTFS | Formatted disk | Extensive |
| NTFS | corrupted disk | Extensive |
| FAT and exFAT | Any | Extensive |
Step 3. Switches help you narrow the scanning range.
| Switches | Meaning | Supported mode(s) |
| /n | Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. | All |
| /y: | Recovers specific extension groups. | Signature |
| /k | Recovers system files. | NTFS Segment |
| /segment | Segment mode; recovers files under NTFS drives using file record segments. | Segment |
| /signature | Signature mode; recovers files under all file system types using file headers. | Signature |
| /u | Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. | NTFS Segment |
Step 4. Get Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store > run it.
Step 5. Input the command. Format:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
for instance,
winfr F: D: /extensive /n *.jpg /n *.png
Then press y to proceed and wait for the procedure to complete.
Using this command, you can recover jpeg and png files from your USB device to another drive.
You may receive the error "Windows File Recovery stuck at 99 percent" and be unable to complete the process. If this is the case, get assistance and have it corrected.
A folder titled "Recovery_date and time" in the destination disk will be created automatically.
Have problems using Windows File Recovery? As an app without a graphical user interface, it is no doubt that users cannot handle it well.
In this case, relying on an easy Windows data recovery tool would be a good idea. You will need a tool that can:
Given these requirements, MyRecover will be the preferable choice for you.
Don't hesitate to download MyRecover to start your USB data recovery.
Step 1. Download and install the software > connect your external storage device to the PC > hover the mouse over the external hard disk >click Scan.
Step 2. It automatically finds deleted pictures on external hard drives with Quick Scan & Deep Scan.
Step 3. Go to Deleted files to select the deleted pictures, or go to Other missing files and select the Images you want > click Recover x files.
Using this practical data recovery utility, you could quickly get data back from pen drives.
The question "Do deleted files from USB go to Recycle Bin" has been answered with a clear explanation, and two ways to recover deleted files from USB can be of some help.
More info is prepared here if you want to make it clearer about USB data recovery.
We frequently referred to a quick format when discussing hard disk formatting. If you have quick formatted the USB, you could still recover data from pen drive after format. But if a full format is done, the data will be overwritten with zeros and gone for good. Check the tutorial to get your important files back from a quick formatted flash drive.
A USB can get corrupted due to several triggers/causes, like system file deletion, physical damage, improper usage, viruses, etc. If you are holding a corrupted USB, you should first try to fix it. You could perform a corrupted SD card recovery using a professional data rescue tool if it is still recognizable.
You might accidentally delete one when organizing or managing the disks/partitions on your USB. If you meet a partition loss on a flash drive, stop using the hard drive, do not add any other items to it, and never create new partitions on it, then turn to a professional partition recovery tool to get it back. With a good tool and no data overwriting, you could recover partitions on USB flash drive with all data intact.