How to Recover Quick Formatted USB Drive Data?

Updated on March 19, 2022

“For a few months I have been using a USB drive as a backup device on my Windows system. Today, while accessing my USB drive, I awkwardly formatted it using the 'Quick Format' option instead of performing some other operation. Now the device is empty without any file. Is it possible to recover files from a USB drive after a quick format? Someone suggest a useful solution to me please!!!”

Well, it is possible to retrieve files from a quick formatted USB drive if you have gone through the above situation. Usually Quick formatting is done to erase all data present on the USB drive. But some users perform it to change the type of file system in Windows hard drive to get better security of their files.

Keeping your data on a USB flash drive is a good idea. You might back it up to an external device, or you might have been given a USB stick or pen drive that contains important data. But then for some reason, that data isn't accessible. You plug a hard drive into your Windows PC and the operating system recognizes it, but the data is either not there or you can't retrieve it for work or personal reasons. If you need that data, you need to retrieve it.

Is it possible to get the files back from a formatted USB?

Don’t panic. Basically, formatting does not cause permanent data deletion but makes it unreachable. So, it is possible to recover the data and important files from a formatted USB drive.

Note: Don’t use or add/copy new data in the drive after format when you need to format data back, as it can overwrite the lost data.

Before we look into the solutions, let us know about why formatting of USB drives happens.

What are the Common Reasons for Formatting USB Drives?

  1. Checking and Fixing Bad Memory Sectors: Bad sectors on your USB Drive can limit your storage capacity as well as its lifespan. Forming your USB Drive if you don't enable quick format will help scan and fix the bad sectors. As a result, The USB Drive will work effectively.
  2. File Format Change: The majority of file formats may not be compatible with your OS. That's why formatting it will solve the whole problem. For instance, the NTFS format isn't compatible with Mac OS. But, exFat will be more reliable than other file formats.
  3. Virus Or Malware: Because a USB drive is often used for data transfer and storage, you may at one time encounter a computer with Virus. When Virus attacks a USB, it will render all your information inaccessible. In such a scenario, the formation of the USB is the best way to get rid of the Virus.
  4. File Deletion: When you want to clear your USB drive for storage purposes, you could do it in one move by formatting it. By formatting the USB Drive, you'll be able to eliminate all redundant files in it.
  5. Selling USB Drive: if you are selling or lending your USB Drive, you need to protect your personal information. That's why formatting the USB is a grand idea. When you change the file system, your data won't be recovered.
  6. Reuse USB Drive: If you bought a product from a company and are rewarded with a promotional USB drive containing marketing information. You may need to format the Drive and reuse it rather than abandoning it because of its small size.

In above mentioned circumstances, quick formatting of USB drive result in data loss. However, don't be annoyed about erased USB drive data, you can easily restore data from quick formatted USB drive using prominent data recovery tool.

How to Recover Quick Formatted Files from a USB Drive?

Method 1: Recover Quick Formatted Files from USB Drive Using CMD

Command Prompt, is an integral part of all Windows installations, and it supports all the commands you need to follow the instructions below to completion.

  • Step 1: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.
  • Step 2: Open the Start menu, type "cmd", and hit Enter on your keyboard.
  • Step 3: Type "chkdsk X: /f" in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter. [Just make sure to replace “X” with the letter assigned to your USB flash drive.]
  • Step 4: Finally, type "ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:*.*" and hit the Enter key (Again, replace “X” with the drive letter of the USB drive).
  • Step 5: Wait for the process to be completed.

Provided the method was successful, you should see all deleted files on a newly created folder on your USB drive.

Method 2: Use the Restore Previous Versions Feature

Present in all recent versions of the Windows operating system (including Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11), the Restore previous versions feature makes it possible to recover deleted files without any third-party tools, but it works only if you had enabled it before you deleted your files.

To recover deleted data from a USB flash drive:

  • Step 1: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.
  • Step 2: Open the Start menu, type "This pc", and hit Enter on your keyboard.
  • Step 3: Right-click on your USB flash drive and select "Properties".
  • Step 4: Go to the "Previous Versions" tab and look at the list of available recovery options.
  • Step 5: Select a previous version and click "Restore".

    • If you see no previous versions, it means that you can’t use this method to recover deleted files from your flash drive. In that case, we recommend you move on to the third method, which is guaranteed to work no matter what.

    Method 3: Recover from Backup

    Other than the above two methods, you can also restore information from your formatted USB drive using backup.

    However, this data recovery method requires that you have backed up your USB before the incident occurred. Therefore, you can always use backup software, cloud or online storage solutions like Mega, Google Drive, One Drive, among others. As we have mentioned earlier, this method is only ideal if you had your data backed up previously.

    Method 4: Recover Formatted USB Drive Using Recovery Software:

    Yodot Hard Drive Recovery is the most advanced utility to rescue quick formatted USB drive data on Windows operating systems. It has the latest built-in data recovery algorithm, which restores deleted and missing data from Windows hard drives and other storage drives. Along with the USB drive, it can recover data from Quick formatted NTFS drive, memory cards, external hard drives, FireWire drives, SSD drives and other storage devices.

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    Steps for recovering files after quick format:

    • Download and install Yodot Hard Drive Recovery software
    • Select 'Formatted / Reformatted Recovery' option to recover data from Quick Formatted USB drive
    • In that, select quick formatted USB drive from where data has to be restored
    • It will take a few minutes to scan, then you can sort restored files either in “Data View” or “File Type View”
    • Finally, specify desired location to save retrieved data on Windows HDD, but not on the same formatted USB drive to avoid overwriting

    Tips:

    • Check for vital files and copy them to any other safe and accessible location before performing quick format
    • Use upgraded anti-virus to protect your quick formatted hard drive or storage device

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