Applies ToWindows 11 Windows 10
Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
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The Recovery Drive utility in Windows is a valuable tool designed to back up essential system files needed to restore a PC to its original state. This utility creates a USB recovery media that can help you restore your Windows device to its factory settings, even if you replace the hard drive or completely wipe the drive. The recovery media includes built-in Windows files, any updates installed at the time of media creation, and any customizations from the PC manufacturer, ensuring a reliable backup solution for bare metal recovery scenarios.
Creating a recovery media is a proactive measure to ensure that you can quickly and efficiently restore your system in case of major issues such as hardware failure. This media can be used for bare metal recovery on the device it was created for, ensuring a smooth and efficient restoration process.
It’s recommended to recreate the recovery media annually to include the latest Windows updates and improvements. Additionally, it’s important to note that the recovery media doesn’t include your personal files. Therefore, you should use a different backup method, such as Windows Backup or File History, to back up your personal data separately.
Create a recovery drive
Warning: Use an empty USB drive because this process will erase any data that’s already stored on the drive.
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To open Recovery Drive you can use one of the following methods:
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From Start, search for Recovery Drive and select it
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Use the command recoverydrive.exe
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When the tool opens, make sure Back up system files to the recovery drive is selected and then select Next
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Connect a USB drive to your PC, select it, and then select Next
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Select Create. Many files need to be copied to the recovery media, so this might take a while
Reinstall Windows with a recovery drive
Follow these steps to reinstall Windows using the recovery media:
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Start your device from the USB drive that was created with Recovery Drive. The process to boot from a USB drive may vary by manufacturer, so refer to your device’s manual if needed
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Once Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) loads, select Recover from a drive
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Choose either Just remove my files of Fully clean the drive, depending on your preference
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Select Recover to confirm and start the recovery process
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Windows Device Recovery Tool is a proprietary tool from Microsoft, designed to restore firmware as well as rollback to previous versions of Windows Phone. The program works with devices that use Windows Phone 8.0/8.1 and Windows 10 from HTC, LG, as well as with «own» Lumia devices. To get started, you will need to connect the device to a PC using a USB cable. Depending on the model of the device to be connected, it may be necessary to restart the computer to continue working. The next step is for the user to select the action to take with the smartphone or tablet. As mentioned above, this tool will help to solve problems with the launch of the mobile operating system, upgrade Windows Phone to the latest version, or, conversely, cancel the latest update. Especially often Windows Device Recovery Tool is used to «roll back» from the unlucky Windows Phone 10 to Windows Phone 8 or Windows Phone 8.1. Before performing all the above operations, you can create a backup copy of the device beforehand.
Among other features of the program you can highlight the presence of a tool to fix problems with the device, view reports, reset all settings (you need to reboot) and delete temporary data. Windows Device Recovery Tool is a fully Russified step-by-step wizard with a detailed description of each step. So even inexperienced users can work with it. The appendix is distributed free of charge.
The main benefit of using the Windows Device Recovery Tool is that it enables firmware restoration and rollback to previous Windows Phone versions.
— works with all Windows Phone devices from different manufacturers;
— helps to solve problems with the launch and operation of the mobile «operating system
— allows you to «update» to a new version and vice versa — roll back to the previous version;
— allows you to view reports about the device operation and delete temporary files;
— is made in the form of a step-by-step wizard.
Allows restoring of malfunctioning Windows devices to working condition.
Supports wide range of Windows devices for recovery.
User-friendly interface with straightforward instructions.
Not compatible with all Windows devices.
May lead to data loss if not used correctly.
Limited functionality compared to other recovery tools.
👨💻️ USER REVIEWS AND COMMENTS 💬
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Theo
The Windows Recovery Tools seems to help devices rollback to their previous versions upon any changes made to the device. It works on LG, Lumia, and HTC models. However, a portion of changes made is made through the device being USB plugged into a computer to make changes. Not easy for beginners, but reading up on the steps will make it easier.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Calum
You can download the Windows Device Recovery Tool on your PC and use it to fix software problems on your phone. It’ll install the latest version of Windows approved for your phone and remove everything else, including your apps, games, texts, call history, music, and photos. Before you use this tool, see if restarting or resetting your phone fixes the problem.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Noah
This tool is primarily used to fix software problems on your phone. It can be downloaded to your computer. You will need a USB cable, computer with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10, and at least 4 GB of free space on your computer.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Max
All I needed was a USB cable connected to my PC to my phone to try to recover files. I used Windows Device Recovery Tool for Windows. It was a life saver. I can restore my mobile phone backups to my other phone. It was step by step. I didn’t feel lost or anything. Thank goodness there’s a way for recovery. The download is free.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Callum
The Windows Device Recovery Tool is intended to help fix software problems that one may have on the phone. The tool will help recover one’s phone by keeping the phone up to date on the latest version of Windows appropriate for the specific phone, and removing any other app and data on the phone. While it is very effective at fulfilling the intended purpose, it is quite extreme that the only way is by removing any other data on the phone.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Lewis Ludgood
The software is an easy-to-use tool for recovering lost Windows devices.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Carter T.
This software allows users to recover their Windows devices in case of system malfunctions or issues. It features a simple and user-friendly interface that guides users through the recovery process step-by-step. The software can restore the device to its original factory settings, and it can also reinstall the latest version of Windows. It is compatible with a variety of Windows devices, including smartphones and tablets. Additionally, it provides users with detailed information about their device’s current status and updates. The software can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft website.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Arran N******d
Windows Device Recovery Tool is a useful software for restoring Windows devices to their factory settings or fixing software issues.
image/svg+xmlBotttsPablo Stanleyhttps://bottts.com/Florian Körner
Isaac
Ah, the Windows Device Recovery Tool, certainly a handy piece of kit for the tech-savvy and the digital newcomer alike. Should the unfortunate event occur where you find your Windows phone is not performing optimally, this software will be at your service. What makes it truly unique is its ability to restore and recover your phone’s software, reinstating it to its original factory state. Should you make a misstep in updating your device or should a technical glitch occur, the Windows Device Recovery Tool swoops in to save the day. With its user-friendly interface, it simplifies the entire recovery process. Unfortunately, data loss is a potential side effect, but overall, it’s a reliable, functional tool that could just be your phone’s lifeline.
Fixes bugs, reboots, restores, saves your Windows device!
Best 8 Free USB Recovery Software for Windows/Mac [2024]
With the development of technology, portable USB flash drive has gradually substituted cumbersome hard drives to store users’ photos, videos, and more files. However, unintentional deletion or formatting will permanently cause all USB data to be lost. Don’t panic. This post will explain the best 8 free USB recovery software for Windows/Mac. If you want to know what they are, just keep on reading.
Part 1. What Should Be Considered When Selecting USB Recovery Tools?
Various USB recovery tools have been released on the market. Not all products are excellent and reliable, and it will take lots of effort to tell white from black. However, if you know the following selection criteria, you’ll be more accessible and quicker to find the suitable flash drive data recovery software.
- 🏆 Success Rate: Success is the most crucial factor to consider when choosing USB drive recovery tools. If the software cannot recover our desired files, it is not a qualified USB stick recovery tool. Moreover, the better performance software has, the higher recovery success rate it will have.
- 🏃♀️ Scan Speed: If a USB data recovery software takes more than half an hour, users lose patience with waiting for the recovery results. Unless the deleted files from USB is confidential and extremely essential, users are willing to wait. Hence, excellent USB recovery software often has a quick speed.
- 💲 Price: Price is always one of the must-considered elements when you select recovery software because consumers prefer to spend less money to enjoy the same data recovery services.
| Criteria | Value |
| Number of tested software | 15 |
| Tested Duration | 14 Days |
| Lowest Cost Range | $0 – $89 |
Part 2. Best 8 Free USB Recovery Software for Windows/Mac
| 🏅 Table of Best USB Data Recovery Software |
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1. WorkinTool Data Recovery – HOT 🔥
Best choice for Windows users with a limited budget but high demand for USB recovery
🤩 Rate:⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: All Windows Systems 🛒 Pricing: Free 500MB or $29.99-49.99
If you still find reliable and powerful USB drive recovery software for Windows, WorkinTool Data Recovery is your first and right choice. It is a free and versatile USB recovery tool compatible with all Windows systems. With WorkinTools’s help, you can retrieve formatted/deleted/lost files from USB flash drives within three steps. No matter what condition the USB stick is, like dead, corrupted, etc., WorkinTool will try its best to recover data from it.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Recover 500+ File Types: WorkinTool can retrieve over 500 file formats from USB sticks, like photos, videos, documents, compressed files, etc. Most files are previewable. | 02 Support Various USB Data Loss Cases: It provides recovery services from any USB data loss cases, such as corrupted USB, raw files, formatting, deletion, etc. | |
| 03 Six Powerful Recovery Modes: It is designed with six powerful recovery modes which can be applied to different recovery scenes with a better recovery effect. | 04 User-Friendly Interface: It has clear navigation and a user-friendly interface which is easy for novices to recover desired USB files without tech help. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 500 MB for Free: The free version only offers free 500 MB of USB stick recovery. | 02 No Portable Version: At present, WorkinTool doesn’t support crashed computer data recovery from USB drives. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (8/10)
The whole USB file recovery is successful and smooth with WorkinTool Data Recovery. In the beginning, there are three scan modes, Quick Recovery, Deep Recovery, and Formatted Recovery, for users to select. And all methods can only take less than ten seconds to scan a USB stick with tons of found files.
Moreover, after scanning, the files are sorted neatly into six types. And you can use the Filter tool to target more precisely. At last, there are no crashes or abnormal stops during the USB data recovery.
Price Info:
2. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – 🎄
Popular with its free version among Windows/Mac users
🤩 Rate: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Win 11/10/8/7, macOS 13.0 🛒 Pricing: Free 2GB or $69.95-149.95
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard can offer an all-in-one solution to data recovery from flash drives. Moreover, it can ignore the operating systems to perform a file recovery because it can support Windows and Mac. With EaseUS at hand, you will not regret USB data loss. Additionally, you can have a 2 GB free recovery trial with EaseUS before upgrading to membership.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Additional Functions: Besides recovery, it can make NAS recovery, crashed PC recovery, and corrupted file recovery in its PRO version. | 02 Powerful Compatibility: It can support not only Windows but also Mac OS. Moreover, it has designed the Mobi Saver for phone recovery. | |
| 03 Recover 1000+ File Types: It can restore more than 1000 file types from USB drives, such as photos, media files, compressed files, documents, etc. | 04 Deserve Trust: After downloading this software, it will show several safety certifications which make users employ safely. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 Stops in Scan: There are freezing or short stops once in a while during USB drive scanning. | 02 High Cost: If you want to enjoy its full features, you must cost at least $69.95 per month, which is more expensive than other competitors. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (8/10)
The USB drive file recovery is generally successful and simple with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. To be more specific, it has two scan modes. However, you cannot choose now that they are set by the system. Moreover, it will take 2-6 minutes to scan a device that is influenced by the memory space of your USB flash drives. Additionally, the scanned result interface is neat and clear, which makes users easily know how to operate it. And you can filter and preview wanted files. However, it might take several seconds to load the page.
Price Info:
3. Disk Drill Free USB Recovery Software – 🔔
Suitable for Users who want a versatile recovery tool with enough budget
🤩 Rate: ⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista, mac OS 🛒 Pricing: Free 500MB or $89-598
Disk Drill has been popular in recent years for its multifunction features and excellent recovery capabilities. With it, you can retrieve 400 + file types from corrupted/crashed/broken USB sticks with minimal effort. Moreover, you can have 500 MB of free USB file recovery to test its recovery performance before buying it.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 More than a Restoring Tool: Besides file recovery, Disk Drill Windows version provides Data Protection and Drive Backup for free. Moreover, the Mac version offers users Disk Health, MAC Cleanup, and Duplicate Finder. | 02 No Tech Skills Needed: The navigation is very clear, and you can recover what you lost from USB sticks without tech skills. | |
| 03 Any Major Storage Devices Supported: It can scan and recover files from USB flash drives, SD cards, HDDs, SDDs, etc. | 04 Preview before Recovery: You can use the Preview tool to quickly look at selected files to confirm whether they are your wanted files. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 High Price: Even if you buy the cheapest plan of Disk Drill, you have to spend $89, which is higher than other similar recovery software. | 02 Slow Scan Speed: If you intend to scan a large USB flash drive, the scanned process will last 10 – 60 mins. Sometimes, it is even over an hour. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (7/10)
Generally, it’s easy to recover a USB flash drive with Disk Drill. Before recovery, you can select the recovery methods, including Quick Scan, Deep Scan, search for lost partitions, allocate existing data, and undelete protected data. Moreover, the Quick Scan has a faster speed which can finish scanning in ten seconds. Nonetheless, Deep Scan will take 10 – 120 minutes, depending on your USB drive size. And after a deep scan, you need to wait for several seconds every time you click a different file type. Additionally, the Filter tool is valid and can select the minimum file size, deleted within the last, and recovery chance.
Price Info:
4. MiniTool Power Data Recovery – 🎄
A reliable option for Windows users with a fear of USB recovery failure
🤩 Rate:⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP 🛒 Pricing: Free 1GB or $69-499
Suppose you plan to recover a USB drive with the Preview function and previous scan settings on Windows. In this case, MiniTool Power Data Recovery is your good choice. You can retrieve files from USB sticks in any data loss situation with MiniTool Power Data Recovery. Moreover, you can get a 1GB free trial of its powerful recovery functions.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Powerful Preview Feature: You can preview 70 file types in MiniTool, including listening to music, watching a video clip, etc. | 02 Applicable Scan Settings: Users can configure the file systems and file types before starting scanning, which is efficient and time-saving. | |
| 03 Support Major Storage Devices: Besides USB flash drives, it can recover files from major media devices, like HDDs, SSDs, SD/memory cards, etc. | 04 After-sale Service Guaranteed: If you find any unsolved problems while using the software after becoming a PRO member, you can contact the officials through Live Chat, emails, and the user chat platform. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 Only One Scan Mode: MiniTool only has one default scan mode. And users cannot choose another scan mode according to their demands. | 02 Support a Few File Formats: It can only retrieve over 100 file types, which is not enough in the fierce software competition. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (7/10)
The USB data recovery with MiniTool is flat and successful. Before starting, you can set efficient scan options. Then it will take over ten minutes to scan an over 100G USB flash drive, while it takes several seconds to scour a USB with small memory space. Moreover, users can exert Filter and Preview tools to confirm the desired files. At last, the interface is straightforward and modern, which allows novices to recover flash drives without steep tutorials.
Price Info:
5. Cisdem Data Recovery – 🔔
Fit for Mac users who want a powerful Preview tool during recovery
🤩 Rate:⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Mac OS 10.9 or later 🛒 Price: Only free to preview or $59.95-149.95
Cisdem Data Recovery is in the front place among recovery products for mac. As an excellent USB data recovery tool, it can recover 200+ file formats from USB flash drives. Moreover, you can only make a successful USB drive recovery within three steps.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Support Various Data Loss Cases: Cisdem can recover lost data in any data loss issues like formatting, wrongly restored mac OS, damaged USB drives, etc. | 02 Major Storage Devices Supported: It can make a smooth recovery from any media device, like USB drives, digital cameras, SD/memory cards, CF cards, etc. | |
| 03 Ignore File Systems: It is compatible with various file systems, such as FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, APFS, NTFS, HFS+, etc. | 04 Robust Preview Tool: You can preview at most 70 file types, including videos, photos, Word, Excel, etc. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 No Free Recovery: Cisdem free version doesn’t offer a free trial of the recovery feature. And you can only experience the Preview and Scan functions before buying the PRO version. | 02 Not Fast Scan Speed: If you use Cidems to scan a USB of large memory space, you need to take more time to wait for the scanned results. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (7/10)
The whole USB recovery is relatively smooth with Cisdem. More specifically, Cisdem had two scan modes. Once the Quick Scan ends, Deep Scan will automatically follow on without users’ selection. In fact, the memory space of your USB sticks affects the scan duration. Generally speaking, the scan speed is not fast compared with other recovery rivals. Moreover, the files are sorted by file path and type, making it convenient for users to find their wanted files. Additionally, the interface design is effortless and user-friendly.
Price Info:
6. Recuva Free USB Recovery Software – 🎄
Suitable for Windows users with basic USB drive recovery demand
🤩 Rate:⭐⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Win 10/8.1/7/Vista/XP 🛒 Pricing: Free with no tech help or $19.95
When you type USB recovery software keywords on Google, you might have seen Recuva’s name in many top-list articles. In fact, Recuva is a free and helpful USB data recovery tool for Windows users. Moreover, it was popular several years ago. However, Recuva is still active and used by many fans. It’s a piece of cake to restore files from USB sticks with Recuva.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Unlimited Free Version: Unlike other limited software in their free versions, Recuva realizes free pricing for all its basic features without restrictions on recovery times or size. | 02 Erase File Securely: More than a recovery tool, Recuva can remove unwanted data permanently and securely, which can reach the standard of industry and military deletion techniques. | |
| 03 Two Scan Modes: You can select Quick or Deep Scan for your preference. Additionally, Deep Scan can find more traces of deleted files in USB drives. | 04 Many Media Devices Supported: Besides USB sticks, it can recover files from memory/SD cards, external hard drives, MP3 players, etc. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 No Updates: Since 2016, it has yet to update its functions and interface. Hence, the interface is outdated, and recovery capabilities are limited. | 02 Recover Few File Types: Recuva can only restore at most 100 file formats in data recovery for flash drives. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (7/10)
The Recuva flash drive data recovery is stable without crashes. At length, you can select the file types, location, and scan mode before restoring. Actually, the Quick Scan time is around a dozen seconds, while the Deep Scan time is over 1minutes. Once the recoverable files pop up in a list, you can see the file info and recovery chance to decide whether to retrieve these files. However, the search box is not good to use and sometimes doesn’t work because it will list some unrelated files after searching. And the navigation and interface are in the old style, which cannot delight users when retrieving USB data.
Price Info:
7. DiskGenius USB Recovery Tool – 🔔
A good choice for Windows users who want to recover USB, back up, repair, and manage disk in one software
🤩 Rate:⭐⭐ 💻 Platform: Win 11/10/8/7 🛒 Pricing: Limited free version or $69.9-699.9
Suppose you want free USB recovery software for Windows, which can give additional bonus features. In this case, all you need is DiskGenius. It can not only recover USB flash drives, manage disk partitions, and backup data but also check and repair the corrupted hard disk.
🌝Pros:
| 01 Support Various Data Loss Issues: DiskGenius can recover your data in multiple data loss cases, like deletion, partition loss, virus attack, unreadable USB sticks, etc. | 02 Advanced File Scan Engine: Due to an advanced file scan engine, it can dig out more inaccessible and buried files byte by byte and make a precise scan. | |
| 03 Support Various File Systems: It can support numerous file systems, like NTFS, exFAT, FAT32/16/12, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, etc. | 04 Preview Tool: You can preview multiple file types prior to recovery to recover your lost USB data more accurately. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 Unclear Interface: The home page is full of words and partition info, making the critical functions unattractive. | 02 Limited Free Version: The GiskGenius free version has many restrictions in different recovery modes. For example, only small files for free in USB file recovery. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (6/10)
You can select the recovery options to optimize the USB recovery. And the scan speed is fast, which only uses over 1 minute to scan over 100G USB sticks. Then you can preview the file before recovery. Although the files are neatly divided by the file types, the file name is changed into numbers which are not easy and quick to tell which file is your wanted one.
Price Info:
8. IObit Undelete – 🎄
The best decision for Windows users without a budget
🤩 Rate: ⭐⭐ 💻 Platforms: Win 10/8/7/Vista/XP 🛒 Pricing: 100% free
Haven’t you found 100% free USB recovery software for Windows? Obit Undelete is the software you cannot miss. It is an utterly free and valuable USB recovery tool. Furthermore, it can retrieve music, videos, images, and more file types from USB sticks with several clicks.
🌝 Pros:
| 01 Only 2.4 MB Memory Space: You can download the 2.4 MB package within seconds. Then without installation, you can employ this tool directly. | 02 Two Recovery Modes: You can choose the file type or location to scan and recover. If you only want to recover images, the type recovery mode is suitable for you. | |
| 03 100% Free: Unlike other paid software, it is entirely free to use all its recovery functions without any restrictions. | 04 Accessible to Use: The interface is straightforward, with no more redundant info. Even the greeners can use it like a pro. |
🌚 Cons:
| 01 Not Support Win 11: If you are a Win 11 user, it’s sad to tell you that it cannot support the latest Windows 11 system. | 02 No Following Update: It is still in V1.0.0, which indicates it has no more advanced updates. |
🙋♂️ Use Evaluation: (6/10)
The overall USB stick recovery is simple with IObit Undelete. The scan speed is fast when scanning the small storage space. However, if you scan an over 100G USB drive, it will take more than ten minutes to end the scan. Because there are no Preview and Filter tools, you can only enter the keywords in the search box to target the exact files. However, it will displace the recoverability and other file info, which is very useful for users.
Price Info:
Part 3. Comparisons among Free USB Recovery Software
⭐Updates: WorkinTool Data Recovery can retrieve 500+ file types like photos, emails, audio files, archives, etc. Most files are previewable.
More Ranking Articles You Probably Like
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The Bottom Line
Data recovery from flash drives is a tricky issue. However, with a suitable recovery tool, you can save a lot of effort. This post tells the best 8 free USB recovery software for Windows/ Mac. If you are confused about which USB recovery tool to choose, you can select WorkinTool Data Recovery directly for its reliable recovery capabilities and easy steps. Just download it and recover USB flash drives today!
Have you lost a file on your USB drive or found it inaccessible? Do you need software to fix the issue or tried one that didn’t work as expected? Tons of apps claim to recover your USB data effortlessly, but not all deliver on those promises. If you’re like most people and don’t have time to sift through dozens of USB recovery software options, this article is for you. Our team has done the legwork. We tested and compared the best tools out there to identify the best USB flash recovery tools so you don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s break it down.
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Here’s a quick recap of our editors’ top picks for USB recovery software. Please vote for the software you believe is the best so we can adjust our ranking in future revisions of this article.
1
Disk Drill
Platform: Windows, macOS
Distributed as: Freemium
2
DiskGenius
Platform: Windows
Distributed as: Freemium
3
DMDE
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Distributed as: Freemium
What Factors We Considered When Choosing the Best USB Data Recovery Software
Before we go into each pendrive recovery tool in detail, here’s a list of the key factors we considered for inclusion or exclusion:
- 🧭 Recovery capabilities: The main draw of any USB recovery app is how well it can recover lost files. While putting this list together, we focused on tools that could thoroughly retrieve data from USB drives, using a mixture of advanced scanning algorithms. We left out apps that only worked for simple situations, like recovering files you just deleted, and nothing more. The USB tools we selected can recover data from damaged, formatted, or corrupted drives, even when the file system is a mess. This list includes tools that don’t just scratch the surface.
- 💻 Compatibility: In addition to what operating systems each program can be installed on, we paid close attention to what file systems are supported by each tool. Much like in the way that some operating systems are incompatible with certain file systems (e.g., Windows cannot natively read an APFS-formatted USB drive), not all data recovery tools support all file systems. Therefore, we prioritized pen drive recovery software that supports a range of file systems commonly used on USB drives these days (FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS).
- 🖱️ User experience: Unlike before, data recovery can be done from the comfort of your home. As such, data recovery software should be usable by users of any level. Ease of use, scan speed, and customer support were all factors we took into account when making our decisions. And if a tool we selected isn’t the easiest to use, it means it offers substantial strengths in some other areas.
- 🛒 Availability of free/trial version: We tried to select free apps, and if not free, at least ones with a useful trial/demo version. Trial versions give you the chance to see, firsthand, what the software can actually do. For this reason, we only included tools with free, trial, or demo versions that allow you to explore how the software functions and performs. Every app on this list lets you test it out without spending a dime.
- 💵 Cost-effectiveness: For those tools that are not completely free, we took prices into consideration. Price is undoubtedly a leading factor that goes into deciding which tool to use. After all, why pay more when you can get the same results for less? Our decisions were carefully made based on each tool’s capabilities in comparison to how much they cost to make sure you don’t invest more than you need to.
While software popularity wasn’t a factor in our selection process, we’ve included Google search data from ahrefs.com to provide additional context for our USB recovery software ranking below. This data shows the average monthly search volume for each software option in both the US and globally. For clarity, we’ve combined searches for different variations of each product name (e.g., «Disk Drill,» «Disk Drill data recovery»). The order of the software in this list matches their ranking below.
Top 8 USB Data Recovery Software Tools
Now let’s take a close look at each USB data recovery app. All 8 tools listed here are solid options, but we arranged them in a way that reflects our opinion. The closer an app is to #1, the more highly we rate it.
1. Disk Drill
Developer: Cleverfiles | Platform: Windows, macOS | Price: $89 (Lifetime license for one user, two devices); $499 (For business use with advanced features) | Trial/Demo version available: Yes (recovers up to 500MB on Windows) | Recovery speed: Very high
Disk Drill, developed by Cleverfiles, has been on the market for over a decade now. Over the years, it has cemented itself as one of the most reliable tools for USB data recovery. Its recovery algorithms, paired with an intuitive interface, make it suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
Disk Drill Pros:
- Great USB recovery results.
- Cross-platform recovery features.
- The user-friendly interface.
- High scan/recovery speed.
- The program is available on Windows and macOS and supports the scanning of all major file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, APFS, HFS+, and EXT4.
- Filters, previews, and recovers files while scanning.
- Organizes results into categories.
- Can save/resume scan sessions.
- It comes with many additional tools (disk health monitoring, byte-to-byte backup).
- Allows you to perform a free scan to preview recoverable data.
- Shows recovery chances for each file.
- Windows users get up to 500 MB of free data recovery.
Disk Drill Cons:
- The program doesn’t include any built-in features for video or photo repair.
- Lacks tools for partition management or formatting.
- Should you need some direct help, customer service is through email or chat instead of a toll-free line.
Download Disk Drill
Disk Drill is available for Windows and macOS. It has great support for all major file systems, including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, APFS/HFS+ (on the Mac version), and EXT4, as well as RAW USB drives. In terms of USB data recovery, Disk Drill provides you with everything you need to get your data back quickly and easily.
The program uses an all-in-one scanning algorithm that combines quick, deep, and signature scan modes into a single process. You won’t need to choose between modes or adjust complicated settings (though the option is there if you need it). Everything is handled seamlessly with just a few clicks. Additionally, since it’s cross-platform, you can start your scan on one OS and finish it on another.
What do Quick, Deep, and Signature modes actually mean?
- Quick Scan retrieves recently deleted files by analyzing file table records. It works best when the file system is intact, so file names and folder structures remain preserved. It recovers all deleted files, regardless of type.
- Deep Scan is used for formatted or RAW drives where the file system is damaged or missing. It relies on file system records, if available, to recover files. File names and folder structures may be partially preserved.
- Signature Scan (as a part of Deep Scan) bypasses the file system entirely and identifies files based on unique patterns or «signatures.» It works best on minimally fragmented disks but cannot recover file names or folder structures.
It’s clearly designed for both regular users and professionals. The interface is extremely intuitive, all features are easily accessible and the program makes it obvious what your next step is, no matter what you’re doing.
Its file preview feature is one of the best we’ve seen. It can open any file format, as long as you have the appropriate viewer installed on your OS or if it’s natively supported.
Any user can download the program for free and perform a free scan to see if their data is recoverable. Windows users also get up to 500 MB of free recovery to see what the program can do. In addition to this, you can access its other features for free, such as Drive Backup and Data Protection. You can get a lifetime Disk Drill license for $89, which will unlock unlimited data recovery in addition to everything you get with the free version.
🔗
We’ve tested Disk Drill extensively, and it performed great with all kinds of storage devices—not just USB drives. Whether it was external hard drives, SSDs, or memory cards, the results were consistently impressive. For a closer look at what it offers, check out our full Disk Drill review. It is also totally safe to use.
2. DiskGenius
Developer: Eassos | Platform: Windows | Price: Standard: $69.90 (one-time payment); Professional: $99.90 (one-time payment, includes advanced recovery and disk utilities) | Trial/Demo version available: Yes (only recovers files smaller than 64 KB) | Recovery speed: Medium
DiskGenius serves two functions: data recovery and disk management. Even as a multipurpose application, it has proven that it’s a capable recovery solution that does a good job of recovering your deleted photos, videos, and documents from USB drives.
DiskGenius Pros:
- The program has very quick scan times, reducing overall recovery time.
- You can clone damaged or failing USB storage devices.
- The free version allows you to recover any USB files below 64 KB and gives you access to many of its additional features.
- It is competitively priced and doesn’t use a subscription-based pricing model.
DiskGenius Cons:
- It can only be installed on Windows machines.
- The user interface is quite technical and challenging to use.
- Its quick and deep scan modes do not support macOS file systems.
Download DiskGenius
The results of our tests show that DiskGenius can handle the recovery of your files from your USB drive, be it working or otherwise. Its swift scan times minimize how much time is spent waiting around, and the application allows for recovery during the scan, making it ideal for those with time constraints.
DiskGenius offers quick, deep, and signature scanning methods. The quick and deep scans work best for Windows systems, as it was unable to scan any of our macOS drives. Additionally, the only Linux file system it supported was EXT4 with its deep scan. Even so, the results from supported file systems were great. Its signature scan, however, yielded mixed results.
When it comes to usability, DiskGenius has room for improvement if it’s trying to cater to a broader user base. Its abundance of features is undoubtedly a plus, but because the UI is poorly optimized, it results in the interface being very technical and hard to navigate. Even figuring out how to scan the USB can feel like a mission.
Overall, it’s an aptly priced data recovery solution that can recover your lost USB data. Just bear in mind its shortcomings, particularly that it’s exclusive to Windows machines and doesn’t support as many file formats as you might like.
🔗
As we mentioned, DiskGenius offers more than USB data recovery—its additional disk management tools can be hugely beneficial for users who need partitioning, cloning, or backup features all in one place. To learn more about these extra capabilities, check out our DiskGenius review.
3. DMDE
Developer: DMDE Software | Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux | Price: Free version available; Standard License: $20 (one-time payment, includes basic recovery features); Professional Edition: $48 (one-time payment); Professional Edition: $95 | Trial/Demo version available: Yes (you can recover up to 4000 files from a chosen directory, with an unlimited number of repetitions) | Recovery speed: Medium to Fast
DMDE (DM Disk Editor and Data Recovery Software) is an advanced recovery solution that, despite not being popular amongst regular users, remains a go-to for many recovery experts due to its abundance of forensic features and capabilities.
DMDE Pros:
- The program is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Licenses are very affordable.
- You can test its recovery abilities with recovery from the current panel with up to 4,000 files per operation.
- The program does an excellent job of recovering your data with its original file names and folder structure.
DMDE Cons:
- It can be difficult to perform recovery due to the complex user interface.
- The signature scanner doesn’t offer much support for modern file formats.
- It could do more in the way of convenience, like session management and preview or recovery during scanning.
Download DMDE
DMDE is an advanced recovery solution that’s primarily marketed to professionals, but it has a lot to offer the average user too. In terms of USB recovery specifically, it has some very notable benefits.
DMDE’s quick and deep scans support Windows, macOS, and Linux-based file systems. While some file systems produced mixed results, the overall recoverability was good across all systems. The signature scan doesn’t support many modern file formats by default, but the program allows you to manually add custom file signatures to circumvent this.
The application is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, and does an excellent job of recovering USB data with its original file names and folder structure. Unfortunately, the complex user interface is very difficult to use for regular users, resulting in a learning curve that must be overcome before you can recover your data.
🔗
Similarly to DiskGenius, it’s impossible to cover everything DMDE can do in this article. So, check our full DMDE review to learn all about its features and how it can help with professional-level USB data recovery tasks.
4. TestDisk
Developer: CGSecurity | Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux | Price: Free (Open-source) | Trial/Demo version available: Completely free | Recovery speed: Medium to Fast
TestDisk is a free, open-source tool designed to fix structural issues on USB drives, like lost partitions, damaged partition tables, and corrupted file systems. While it technically can recover deleted files, that’s not its main purpose. TestDisk focuses on repair of the drive’s structure to make it usable again (and your files accessible).
It also comes bundled with PhotoRec, a tool built specifically for recovering files, which we’ll cover next.
TestDisk Pros:
- Completely free and open-source.
- No installation is required.
- Can often handle cases where a USB becomes RAW due to file system damage.
- TestDisk can restore all files by restoring the underlying file system.
- Doesn’t use a lot of resources.
TestDisk Cons:
- The user interface is extremely basic.
- There are no direct support options. Instead, you must rely on help from the community in the forum.
- TestDisk scan and recovery times are slow, sometimes taking more than 24 hours on larger disks.
- Despite having a quick scan feature, it’s not as practical for file recovery as some of the other tools on our list.
Download TestDisk
TestDisk requires some technical know-how since it doesn’t have a graphical interface and runs through command-line instructions.
If your USB drive has problems like missing partitions or isn’t being recognized, TestDisk is a great tool to help restore its functionality.
The fact that this tool is available for free may raise some eyebrows, as free solutions often beg users to question their effectiveness and trustworthiness. Rest assured, TestDisk have been around long enough to build a very trustworthy reputation, especially since the code is all open-source and available to the public.
TestDisk can be pretty intimidating at first (even with guided instructions) since making a mistake could cause more damage than it fixes.
🔗
As we mentioned, TestDisk isn’t the easiest tool to use. To avoid any mistakes with it, we recommend checking out our TestDisk review, which includes a detailed guide on how to use it step by step.
5. PhotoRec
Developer: CGSecurity | Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux | Price: Free (Open-source) | Trial/Demo version available: Completely free | Recovery speed: Medium to Fast
Now to TestDisk’s companion, PhotoRec. As we mentioned earlier, this tool comes bundled with TestDisk and is specifically designed for file recovery. What’s important is that, unlike TestDisk, PhotoRec offers a graphical user interface (but only for Windows users). While the GUI is extremely basic, it’s still far more user-friendly than a command-line setup, and is easier for most people to use.
PhotoRec Pros:
- Completely free and open-source.
- Optional graphical user interface for Windows.
- Supports a large number of file signatures.
- Lets you enable/disable signatures for better results.
- Runs well on low-end computers.
- Works with disks without file systems.
PhotoRec Cons:
- Files can only be recovered by signature.
- The user interface is extremely basic.
- Manual setup needed for scans.
- Selecting devices takes extra steps.
- Can’t create disk backups.
- Tech support limited to forums.
- Doesn’t refresh device list automatically.
- Requires restarting for multiple scans.
- Lacks tools to analyze recovery results.
- Terminal version is hard for beginners.
- No warning for restoring to source drive.
- Not all signatures enabled by default.
Download PhotoRec
PhotoRec is quite capable (and free), which is its main attraction. However, it’s important to understand that, unlike most other tools on this list, PhotoRec relies solely on signature scan mode. This means it can only recover file types listed on its official page, so you’ll want to check compatibility beforehand.
Our tests show that its signature scanner is very impressive, but the lack of any other scan modes guarantees that your recovered data will not retain its original file names or folder structure.
Despite these limitations, PhotoRec remains a great option if your USB drive has completely lost its file system. The fact that you can do this at no cost makes it a valuable tool for specific recovery scenarios.
🔗
Be careful with PhotoRec, since it doesn’t warn you about restoring recovered files to the same drive you’re recovering from (this can overwrite the data you’re trying to get back). We’ve covered everything you need to know about it in our full PhotoRec review, so check it out if you want to learn more about how to use it properly.
Also, check out the discussion in our community about its signature scanning mode. It explains what signature scanning is, how it works, and what file types PhotoRec can recover.
6. Active@ File Recovery
Developer: LSoft Technologies | Platform: Windows | Price: Standard License: $29.95; Professional License: $44.95 | Trial/Demo version available: Yes (has a 64kb limit for the maximum file size that can be recovered) | Recovery speed: Medium
Active@ File Recovery, developed by LSoft Technologies, has been around for decades. If your primary desire is to recover a missing file from your USB drive, this downloadable solution delivers precise results. Although it doesn’t come with expansive features, it performs its primary purpose exceptionally well.
Active@ File Recovery Pros:
- Offers QuickScan and SuperScan for in-depth recovery.
- Fast installation.
- The speed at which it finds missing files is above-average for the industry today.
- Custom file signature filters with RegExp support.
Active@ File Recovery Cons:
- Last updated over a year ago.
- Demo version limits recovery to files under 65 KB.
- Interface feels outdated compared to competitors.
- Although the scanning process is straightforward, the recovery work is somewhat complicated.
- The best features are hidden with several layers of menu choices.
- Some file types are not recoverable with this program.
Download Active@ File Recovery
We’d recommend using this file recovery program for USB if you have long names to find. It does an excellent job of locating those sometimes problematic elements that some deep scans can miss.
You’ll also appreciate the capabilities of this USB recovery solution if you save file names in languages other than English. It has more native support on the back end than most other applications so that you can navigate through your scans efficiently.
It is a Windows-only solution, although you can operate it on Apple systems using an emulator. If you have a partitioned drive instead, you’ll want to make sure your USB port is readable through that method before proceeding with a download.
The user interface is quite basic. Everything you need is readily available, but the recovery process isn’t very intuitive off the bat.
🔗
A demo version is available for download that will allow you to scan your USB drive for recoverable data and recover any files below 65 KB. Anything above this limit will require a paid license. For more details about its features, pricing, and performance, check out our full Active@ File Recovery review.
7. Stellar Data Recovery
Developer: Stellar | Platform: Windows, macOS | Price: Pro: $69.95/month or $99.95/year; Lifetime License: $149.95 (one-time payment) | Trial/Demo version available: Yes (recovers up to 1GB) | Recovery speed: High
Developed by Stellar Information Technology, this USB data recovery tool was first released in 2000. Stellar Data Recovery is designed to handle a wide range of recovery scenarios, from accidental file deletions to a deleted partition or drive corruption.
Stellar Data Recovery Pros:
- Simple interface.
- You can use this software to recover files and data from almost any portable storage device that connects through your USB port.
- You can manually add new file signatures using sample files.
- The developer offers a complete online walkthrough for the software so that you can learn how to use it almost immediately.
- You have the option to repair corrupted photographs and video files on your USB drive.
- Configurable scan settings.
Stellar Data Recovery Cons:
- If you want to repair corrupted image or video files, you must purchase the premium version of this recovery tool.
- Your download is system-specific, which means you need two licenses to manage individual computers at home.
- No real-time recovery during a scan.
- Free version limited to 1 GB of data recovery.
Download Stellar Data Recovery
We like this USB recovery software option because of the convenience it offers. You’ll get plenty of functionality, ease of use, and straightforward commands. This benefit comes with a price since you’ll pay up to three times more than most competitive products. But, at least you get to trial the software on Windows, with up to 1 GB of free data recovery.
Even though the application is available on Windows and Mac systems, we found that its quick and deep scan abilities were sorely lacking. When put to the test, the application crashed every time we tried to scan any file system (HFS+, APFS, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, and EXT4). As a result, the only recovery results we could gather were of its signature scan, which even that didn’t show much promise.
Although the application is very easy to use and navigate, its recovery capabilities make it hard to justify the price. Regardless, it remains an option for recovering files from your USB drive by signature, so long as they’re in a supported format.
🔗
Our team has rigorously tested Stellar Data Recovery to evaluate its performance across various scenarios. If you want an in-depth look at its capabilities, you can read all about it in our detailed Stellar Data Recovery review.
8. Recuva
Developer: Piriform (CCleaner) | Platform: Windows| Price: Free Version: Basic file recovery features; Professional: $24.95/year | Trial/Demo version available: Yes | Recovery speed: Medium
And last but not least, Recuva, developed by Piriform (the maker of CCleaner), is a well-known and budget-friendly USB flash recovery tool. First released in 2007, it has become a popular choice for users looking to recover deleted files from USB drives and other storage devices without spending a lot.
Recuva Pros:
- Free with unlimited file recovery.
- Estimates recovery chances.
- Offers simple and advanced operating modes.
- Supports multiple languages.
- Customizable scanner settings for targeted recovery.
- Integrates into the system context menu for quick access.
- Performs fast scans with prompt results.
- Low resource usage.
- Small application size.
Recuva cons:
- Struggles to recover folder trees and file names accurately.
- Recovery odds estimation is often unreliable.
- Cannot scan entire disks, only partitions.
- Outdated interface.
- Preview options are limited.
- Switching views for found files is unintuitive.
- Limited and outdated file signatures for modern formats.
- No additional features commonly found in modern recovery tools.
Download Recuva
The results of our tests show that Recuva can handle basic file recovery from USB drives and other storage devices effectively. Its quick scan times and lightweight nature make it ideal for users who want a fast solution for recently deleted files. While it lacks some of the advanced features found in other tools, its simplicity and free availability give it a strong appeal for casual users.
Recuva offers both quick and deep scan modes, but its reliance on limited and outdated file signatures holds it back in more complex recovery scenarios. It performed well with FAT32 and NTFS file systems, recovering files from deleted and formatted USB drives. However, it struggled with RAW drives and couldn’t detect or recover modern file types like newer photo (ARW, CRW) and video formats (ARI), which limits its overall usefulness.
Usability is a mixed bag. While the interface is simple and beginner-friendly, its outdated design and lack of refinement may frustrate users accustomed to more modern tools. But overall, Recuva is a decent option for basic USB recovery tasks. And hey, it’s free after all.
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Just like with all the other flash drive recovery apps on this list, we have a detailed review of Recuva as well.
Honorable Mentions and Products to Avoid
We can’t fit everything on our list. Here are some honorable mentions that we took into consideration but didn’t quite make the cut. Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should bear in mind, just like those on our list.
👌 Worth to try
Some additional downloads for USB recovery worth taking a look at today include:
- EaseUS — EaseUS is a very popular USB recovery option with great recovery abilities. Unfortunately, its subscription-based license model is priced quite high, making it an unappealing option for some. Learn more in our EaseUS review.
- R-Studio — R-Studio is one of the best in the biz. It’s a highly advanced recovery tool that‘s great for USB recovery. However, its targeted audience is professionals, as reflected by its highly technical user interface. We go deeper into it in our R-Studio review.
- Data Rescue — Data Rescue has some decent recovery abilities, but not for all file systems. Check out our Data Rescue review for more information.
- Wondershare Recoverit — Wondershare Recoverit’s refined user interface makes USB recovery a breeze. But, its quick scanner needs some work. We cover this tool more in-depth in our Wondershare Recoverit review.
- UFS Explorer — A reliable tool with good recovery options for USB drives and more, known for handling complex cases. Read about it in our review.
- DiskDigger (PC) — A lightweight tool with straightforward recovery features, suitable for basic USB recovery tasks. Learn more about it in our DiskDigger review.
✋ Avoid
During this review, we also found some products to stay away from whenever possible:
- Acronis Revive — Acronis Revive has been discontinued. Therefore, it will not stay up-to-date with modern file signatures, reducing your overall recoverability.
- UndeleteMyFiles Pro — The results of our testing indicate that this recovery tool is barely capable of recovering anything. Therefore, we recommend avoiding it if you need to perform USB recovery.
- Windows File Recovery — Microsoft’s official recovery tool has decent recovery, but very poor support for different file types and file systems. It also uses a challenging CLI. You can read more about it in our “investigation” on WinFRGUI.
- Undelete 360 — Despite its attractively low price point, Undelete 360’s recovery abilities are very poor. It doesn’t support deep/signature scanning, and its quick scanner produced disappointing results.
Not Sure What to Choose? Here’s a Quick Comparison of Flash Drive Data Recovery Apps We Reviewed
If you’ve read through all our recommendations and still aren’t certain which USB flash drive recovery software is right for you, here’s a compact side-by-side comparison of the top tools from this article. We’ve compiled the most important info—like price, trial/demo availability, and a simple 5-star rating based on our own hands-on experience with each tool’s interface/usability and recovery performance.
|
Software |
Platform |
Price |
Free/Trial/Demo |
Recovery Speed |
Interface/Usability |
Recovery Performance |
|
Disk Drill |
Windows, macOS |
$89 (Lifetime personal) $499 (Business) |
Yes, up to 500 MB free on Windows |
Very High |
★★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
|
DiskGenius |
Windows |
Standard: $69.90 Professional: $99.90 |
Yes, free recovers files < 64 KB |
Medium |
★★★ |
★★★★ |
|
DMDE |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Starts at $20 (Standard License) |
Yes, up to 4000 files per operation |
Medium–Fast |
★★★ |
★★★★½ |
|
TestDisk |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Free (Open-source) |
N/A |
Medium–Fast |
★★ |
★★★★ |
|
PhotoRec |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Free (Open-source) |
N/A |
Medium–Fast |
★★★ |
★★★★ |
|
Active@ File Recovery |
Windows |
Standard: $29.95 Professional: $44.95 |
Yes, demo recovers files < 65 KB |
Medium |
★★★½ |
★★★½ |
|
Stellar Data Recovery |
Windows, macOS |
From $69.95/month or $99.95/year $149.95 Lifetime |
Yes, up to 1 GB free |
High |
★★★★ |
★★★½ |
|
Recuva |
Windows |
Free version Pro: $24.95/year |
Yes (Free version is fully functional) |
Medium |
★★★★ |
★★★ |
Which USB Recovery App Is Best in Our Opinion?
As you probably saw in the preview table, our number one choice for the best USB recovery software is Disk Drill.
We can put it in a single word: balance. Disk Drill strikes an ideal balance between user-friendliness, powerful recovery algorithms, and flexible pricing options. Beginners can start recovering lost data with only a few clicks, but don’t let its convenience fool you—under the hood, it’s a very sophisticated USB data recovery tool. Its interface, scanning modes, and flexible pricing make it a go-to option for anyone looking to restore files from a damaged, corrupted, or formatted flash drive.
That said, other flash drive recovery apps on our list absolutely deserve attention, too. You can’t go wrong with programs like DiskGenius or DMDE—they may not be as modern or intuitive, but they still deliver where it counts with reliable data retrieval. And even a tool like TestDisk, which some might call “ugly” in terms of interface, can be indispensable in specific USB data recovery scenarios—especially with serious partition or file system issues.
So, as you can see, there’s no shortage of great USB recovery solutions. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice ultimately depends on your budget, technical skill level, and specific needs.
FAQ
What Is a USB recovery tool and how does It work?
A USB recovery tool is a specialized software program designed to scan your USB flash drive for lost or deleted data and then restore it to a safe location. Under the hood, these tools use scanning algorithms to detect and reconstruct file remnants left on the USB. Once the tool identifies recoverable files, you can preview them (in many cases) and select which ones to actually restore.
Is there any free USB recovery software?
Absolutely! Free USB recovery software does exist. TestDisk and PhotoRec, for example, are open-source and completely free to use. Recuva also has a free version for Windows that allows you to recover an unlimited amount of data.
And many others—such as Disk Drill, DiskGenius, or Stellar Data Recovery—offer free trial or demo versions.
You can also check out the discussion «Is there any free unlimited data recovery software without restrictions?» in our community for more options.
What Is the best flash drive recovery software for beginners?
In our opinion, Disk Drill is the best flash drive recovery software for beginners in terms of ease of use, intuitive design, and overall recovery process. Simply open the program, select your USB drive, and start the scan without dealing with complicated settings. Another beginner-friendly choice is Stellar Data Recovery, which also offers a streamlined interface and a trial version.
How long does USB data recovery typically take?
The recovery process can range from just a few minutes to several hours; it depends on multiple factors. The size of your USB drive, the level of damage or corruption, and the specific scanning method (quick vs. deep scan) all play a part in how long it takes.
Can a USB flash recovery tool restore data from a damaged drive?
It depends on the type of damage. If the damage is logical (e.g., corrupted file system, accidental formatting), then most data recovery software can restore a good portion—or sometimes all—of the lost files. However, if the drive has severe physical damage (like broken components or a malfunctioning controller), software alone may not help. In such cases, a professional data recovery service with specialized equipment is often required. But be prepared—finding an offline data recovery center that won’t cost you a fortune can be a tricky task.
Is flash drive recovery software safe to use?
Generally, yes. All of the apps in this article come from reliable developers and have been tested for harmful components, to make sure they don’t carry viruses or spyware.
Also these pen drive recovery software are designed to read from your USB drive rather than make destructive changes, so your existing data remains intact.
Does Windows 10 have a native USB recovery tool?
No, Windows 10 (or the newer Windows 11) doesn’t include any USB data recovery tools out of the box. While Windows File Recovery is an option, it’s not built into the system—you need to download it from the Microsoft Store.
It does offer basic repair utilities like CHKDSK for checking drive health and Disk Management for partition management, but these tools are not designed for recovering lost or deleted data. For actual data recovery, you’ll need to rely on third-party software.
About article
This article was written by Robert Agar, a Staff Writer at Handy Recovery Advisor. It was recently updated by Jordan Jamieson-Mane. It was also verified for technical accuracy by Andrey Vasilyev, our editorial advisor.
Curious about our content creation process? Take a look at our Editor Guidelines.
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Вы можете скачать средство восстановления устройств с Windows на компьютер и использовать его для устранения проблем с программным обеспечением на телефоне. Средство установит самую последнюю версию Windows, подходящую для вашего телефона, и удалит все данные, включая приложения, игры, SMS, журнал вызовов, музыку и фотографии. Прежде чем использовать это средство, узнайте, устраняет ли проблема при перезапуске или сбросе телефона.
Скачивание средства восстановления устройств с Windows
Что мне потребуется для использования этого средства?
-
USB-кабель для подключения телефона к компьютеру.
-
Компьютер с Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 или Windows 10.
-
Не менее 4 ГБ свободного места на компьютере.
Это средство будет работать на любом телефоне?
Она работает на телефонах Acer, Alcatel, BLU, HTC (One M8 и 8X), THE, Lumia, UNIStrong, VAIO и Yezz на телефонах с Windows Phone 8 или более поздней версии. Она также работает на устройствах HP.
Можно ли скачать это средство на компьютер не с ОС Windows?
Нет, необходимо использовать компьютер с Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 или Windows 10.
Нужно ли что-либо делать перед использованием средства?
Прежде чем запускать средство, попробуйте перезагрузить и сбросить свой телефон, чтобы узнать, уладит ли это проблему.
Если это не повернется, с помощью этого средства скачайте его и переустановите Windows на телефоне. В процессе установки будет удалено все содержимое на телефоне, включая приложения, текстовые сообщения и фотографии, поэтому, если это возможно, необходимо сначала сделать их.
На некоторых устройствах вы можете использовать защиту от сброса, чтобы посторонние не сбрасывали и повторно использовали телефон без разрешения. Убедитесь, что защита от сброса выключена. В противном случае вам нужно будет знать имя пользователя и пароль основной учетной записи для устройства, чтобы использовать его. Перейдите в раздел Параметры > Обновления и безопасность > Поиск телефона > Защита от сброса и выберите Выключить.
Как воспользоваться средством?
-
Скачайте средство.
-
Чтобы установить его, следуйте инструкциям на экране, а затем выберите пункт Запустить приложение.
-
Для подключения телефона к компьютеру используйте USB-кабель. Если после подключения ваш телефон не будет обнаружен автоматически, отсоедините кабель, выберите пункт Мой телефон не обнаружен и следуйте инструкциям на экране. Если телефон по-прежнему не обнаружен, попробуйте перезапустить его, пока он подключен.
-
Когда ваш телефон будет обнаружен, выберите пункт Установить программное обеспечение. Установка может занять некоторое время в зависимости от скорости подключения к Интернету, и вы не сможете пользоваться телефоном, пока он не будет работать.
Будет ли это средство работать на телефонах под управлением сборок Insider Preview?
Да. При использовании этого средства на телефоне, работающем под управлением предварительной сборки, будет установлена самая последняя версия Windows, одобренная производителем вашего телефона. Чтобы снова начать получать предварительные сборки, перейдите в скачать предварительную версию Windows Insider Preview для телефонов, чтобы скачать приложение «Предварительная версия Windows» на телефоне, а затем выполните действия, чтобы установить предварительную версию для предварительной версии.
Можно ли восстановить резервную копию Windows 10 Mobile на телефоне с Windows 8?
Не сразу. Резервные копии Windows 10 несовместимы с телефонами под управлением Windows 8.
Не рекомендуется восстанавливать резервную копию Windows 10 на телефоне с Windows 8. Чтобы избежать перезаписи резервной копии телефона после перехода на Windows 10, переименуйте устройство. Для этого выберите элементы Параметры > Система > О системе и нажмите кнопку Изменить имя.
Вы можете вернуть телефон в Windows 8 с помощью средства восстановления устройства с Windows. Если вы обновите телефон до Windows 10 еще раз, вы сможете восстановить резервную копию из резервной копии Windows 10 или резервной копии Windows 8.