Recovering lost files from USB drives is a common task for many users. File transfers, backups, and data sharing are usually done using USB flash drives, which are also called thousands of drives. However, files on these drives can sometimes disappear due to various reasons such as viruses, file system corruption, software defects, or user errors.
The Command Prompt (CMD) is the starting command letter in Windows. While most users prefer the graphical user interface, the CMD has powerful features for tasks such as flash drive recovery. In this document we will talk about how to retrieve files in usb using cmd.
There are four ways to find files in USB drives using CMD.
Method 1: Recycle the tank.
A file in the cistern is easiest accessed this way. CMD steps to access recycled cisters:
- Press Enter after typing "cmd" in Start.
- Type "start shell:RecycleBinFolder" in Command Prompt and press Enter.
- Choose a recycling tank file to recover. Right-click the file and restore. Drag the file back to the specified place or flash drive.
Please aware that this procedure only works with recycle cistern files. If the files are missing, this procedure cannot restore them.
Method 2: ATTRIB command.
The ATTRIB command restores file access after malware infestation. Malware can disguise flash drive files and delete them. However, the file remains hidden. Follow these methods to fix this problem using CMD and Attrib:
- Press Enter after typing "cmd" in Start.
- Enter your USB flash drive letter and holder (e.g. "E:" or "D:") and hit Enter.
- Enter "attrib -h -r -s /s /d" in the Command Prompt window (change "DRIVE_LETTER" with your flash drive letter) and press Enter.
- Open file explorer and find your flash drive. Files should be viewable again.
The ATTRIB command deletes the properties of the hidden and readable file and exits the file so that you can access the file again.
Method 3: CHKDSK command.
The CHKDSK command is useful for finding files from corrupted flash drives. When data in the flash drive is corrupted, accessing files can become challenging. Follow these steps to use CHKdSK for file repair:
- Open the Start menu, type "cmd" and press Enter.
- Enter the command "chkdsk DRIVE_LETTER: /r" (replace "DRIVE_ LETTER" with the letter of your flash drive) and press Enter.
- CHKDSK will scan and try to repair the flash drive.
CHKDSK scans the file system and the metadata of the flash drive for errors and tries to fix them. If missing files are detected, it saves them as CHK files on the Flash drive. To recover these CHK file you can use utilities such as UnCHK, FileCHK or CHK-Mate.
Method 4: Windows File Recovery
Microsoft Store offers a free CMD tool named Windows File Recovery for permanently destroyed file recovery. How to use:
- Install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store.
- Press Enter after typing "cmd" in Start.
- Press Enter after typing "winfr DRIVE_LETTER: C: /x" (change "DRIVE_LETTER" with your flash drive letter).
- Windows File Recovery will scan your flash drive and try to recover deleted files.
- Open the file scanner and go to the destination folder to access the recovered files.
Easier to use option: WinfrGUI
It is worth noting that Windows File Recovery is still in its early stages and may have limitations in terms of supported file formats and recovery results. For a more comprehensive data recovery solution, consider using modern programs such as WinfrGUI, a free file recovery software.
WinfrGUI is an easy-to-use graphical interface for USB file recovery. It supports various file formats and works with any flash drive file system. By downloading and installing Winfr GUI, you can easily scan and retrieve files from your USB drive using a more user-friendly method. Follow these steps:
- Download and install WinfrGUI from official source
- Start an application from an icon on your desktop or from the Start menu.
- Select your USB flash drive in the interface and start the scanning process.
- Call through the recovered file and select the file you want to recover.
- Click the Recover button and select the destination directory outside the flash drive to avoid duplication.
- The recovery process is complete.
- Access recovered data through File Survey
WinfrGUI provides a smoother and easier alternative to CMD for USB file recovery. It makes the process easier and eliminates the need to use complicated commands. Makes finding and recovering your data easier.
