How to Recover Files from a Formatted USB Drive
A step-by-step guide for recovering files from a formatted USB drive or a USB drive that asks to be formatted.
A USB drive that was formatted, shows as RAW, or asks to be formatted may still contain recoverable data. The key is to avoid writing anything else to it before scanning.
Step 1: Cancel the format prompt
If Windows or macOS says the drive needs to be formatted, cancel the prompt. Do not click format just to make the drive usable.
Formatting may create a new file system and make it harder to recover the previous folder structure.
Step 2: Unplug and reconnect once
Try one safe reconnect using a different USB port. If the drive appears normally, copy the important files to another location immediately.
If it still asks to be formatted, stop using it and move to a recovery scan.
Step 3: Install recovery software somewhere else
Install recovery software on your computer’s main drive or another external drive, not on the USB drive you are trying to recover.
For portable tools, run them from another storage device.
Step 4: Scan the USB drive
Use a free scan or preview first. If the tool finds files, inspect names, folders, dates, and previews where possible.
If the scan shows multiple partitions or file systems, choose the result that contains the files you recognize.
Step 5: Recover to a different drive
Choose a different destination for recovered files. Saving back to the formatted USB drive can overwrite additional data.
After recovery, verify a sample of important files before reformatting or reusing the USB drive.
Tool options to compare
EaseUS is approachable for first-time users. Stellar is worth checking when preview and file-type support matter. Disk Drill may suit users who want extra drive tools. Recuva can help only in simpler Windows cases.
When to stop
Stop if the USB drive disconnects repeatedly, becomes hot, is physically bent, or causes the computer to freeze. Those signs point beyond an ordinary formatting mistake.
Final recommendation
For a formatted USB drive, do not format again, scan from another drive, preview before paying, and recover to a different destination. If the device is unstable, stop rather than running repeated scans.