Recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
The Most Convenient Flash Drive Recovery to Discover
Updated by Disa Rivera / December 11, 2025 05:00Good day! I lost some of the critical files on my computer yesterday. It took me a day to find my flash drive, which I use to back up the files. Now that I have seen it, I have this tiny problem. I do not know how to recover the files from the flash drive. Is there a flash drive recovery service that can help? Please let me know. Thank you!
A flash drive is commonly used for storing and transferring data from different devices, such as digital cameras, computers, and more. This small electronic device's data can be recovered with trusted recovery tools, which you will discover in this article. The other information and procedures about the flash drive are also included. Please scroll down for more details.
Guide List
Part 1. FoneLab Data Retriever - Best Flash Drive Data Recovery
The flash drive can store and back up files from computers. What if you lost or deleted the files? We offer FoneLab Data Retriever! This is the best flash drive recovery service to recover your files in different scenarios. It could be because of an unexpected power off, unwanted formatting, computer viruses, accidental deletion, etc. Besides flash drives, this software can also retrieve data from hard drives, memory cards, removable drives, digital cameras, and other storage devices.
FoneLab Data Retriever - recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
- Recover photos, videos, documents and more data with ease.
- Preview data before recovery.
Furthermore, it can retrieve different data types, including documents, emails, audio, videos, and images. Please follow the steps below to help you use the tool.
Step 1Depending on your computer's operating system, click the Free Download option on the main website of FoneLab Data Retriever. Then, set up the tool and launch it to proceed.
Step 2Ensure that the flash drive is plugged to your computer. After that, click the USB/SD Card Recovery button at the top left. Later, click the Start Scan button at the bottom right, and the tool will scan your flash drive for a few seconds to a few minutes. You only need to wait for it to be completed.
Step 3Select the data type from the sidebar. After that, its content will appear on the right. Please choose the files you want to recover from the available folders. Finally, please click the Recover All button at the bottom right. Wait for the files to be recovered afterward.
FoneLab Data Retriever - recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
- Recover photos, videos, documents and more data with ease.
- Preview data before recovery.
Part 2. Previous Version
Windows includes a "Previous Versions" feature that can help recover deleted files. This method allows you to restore earlier versions of your data directly from the flash drive—provided you have enabled File History or created system restore points beforehand. No additional software is required.
Step 1Connect the USB drive to your computer.
Step 2Open File Explorer, right-click the USB drive, and select Properties.
Step 3In the Properties window, navigate to the Previous Versions tab.
Step 4Select a relevant earlier version of the folder that contained your files.
Step 5Click Restore to recover the files to their original location on the USB drive.
Part 3. Recoverit
Wondershare Recoverit is a powerful alternative for flash drive data recovery, offering a user-friendly interface and high success rates. However, a notable drawback is its pricing model—the free version has a very limited recovery capacity, requiring a purchase for most practical use.
Step 1Download and install Recoverit. Select your USB drive to scan.
Step 2Preview and select the files you wish to recover.
Step 3Click Recover and save the files to a secure location.
Part 4. Comparison of 3 Flash Drive Data Recovery Tools
Here is a concise comparison of the three flash drive data recovery tools:
| Feature / Tool | Wondershare Recoverit | FoneLab Data Retriever | Previous Versions (Windows) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Comprehensive recovery | Focused multimedia & user-friendly recovery | Prevention over recovery; restoring recently deleted versions |
| Key Strength | Deep scan, wide file format support, high success rate | Specializes in photos, videos, and audio files, wide file format support, recover files from recycle bin | Built-in, free, no software installation required |
| Main Limitation | Limited free version; requires purchase for full recovery | Can be pricier for the features offered | Not a true recovery tool; only works if File History/System Restore was previously enabled |
| Ease of Use | Very intuitive, guided workflow | User-friendly interface | Simple but functionality is conditional |
| Data Overwrite Risk | Medium (Recovers directly from source) | Low (Recovers directly from source) | None (Restores from existing backups) |
Part 5. How to Back Up A Computer to A Flash Drive
Furthermore, some people use their flash drive to back up their computer files. How to back up a computer to a flash drive? There are various ways to do that. This section will introduce the two quick methods that can help you back up computer files to a flash drive. These methods can be performed on your Mac or Windows. Discover them as you scroll below.
1. Windows
Windows has a File History folder that automatically backs up its files. These files are stored on the system's storage. You may choose the flash drive as the backup's destination path.
How to backup a computer to a flash drive on Windows? The steps are provided below for your quick reference.
Step 1Go to the Search section at the bottom left. After that, search for the Restore Your Files with File History keyword. Afterward, open the folder by clicking the Open button. Next, click the Select Drive button from the sidebar. Choose your flash drive to continue.
Step 2Click the Advanced Settings button from the sidebar. After that, please click the Turn On button at the bottom right of the device. The backup feature will be activated afterward.
FoneLab Data Retriever - recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
- Recover photos, videos, documents and more data with ease.
- Preview data before recovery.
2. Mac
On the other hand, you might ask: How do I back up and restore my computer to a flash drive on a Mac? That's surprisingly easy! Time Machine is a built-in backup program for Mac. It stores and backs up Mac data automatically 24 hours a day. You may choose the flash drive as the destination storage for the backups. However, ensure that your flash drive has a huge storage space. The reason is that Time Machine holds a massive amount of data. Please follow the steps below to back up the computer to a flash drive using Mac Time Machine.
Step 1Determine the flash drive you prefer to use as a backup by plugging it into your Mac. After that, click the Apple button at the top left. Then, click the System Settings button from the drop-down options. Click the General button on the screen and choose the Time Machine option. Choose the Add Backup Disk button from the screen and click the Set Up Disk option.
Step 2The backup will now automatically back up your Mac files. The backup details will appear on the screen. You can click the Options button under it to customize and adjust the backup.
FoneLab Data Retriever - recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
- Recover photos, videos, documents and more data with ease.
- Preview data before recovery.
Part 6. FAQs about Flash Drive Recovery
How to copy a flash drive to another flash drive?
Plug the two flash drives into your Mac or Windows. Open Finder or File Explorer. Then, go to the flash drive section where you want to move files. Select the files you want to copy. Next, control-click or right-click the files and press the Ctrl + C or Command + C keys. Go to the other flash drive section and paste them using the Ctrl + V or Command + V keys.
How do you fix a flash drive that won't read?
First, you need to check for any damage to the flash drive. If there is a broken part, you should bring it to professionals specializing in fixing physical damage. Additionally, you need to check the computer's USB port. It might be faulty or dirty enough to hinder the procedure. Clean it with a clean damp cloth or cotton buds. Alternatively, you may bring it to technicians specializing in fixing USB port damage.
How does a flash drive get corrupted?
Countless reasons can cause a corrupted flash drive. Sometimes, removing the flash drive by only unplugging it from the computer is correct. In contrast, you should eject it from the system before unplugging it. Reaching the limit of erase cycles, software bugs, power surges, and physical damage are other causes of a corrupted flash drive.
In conclusion, this post tackles the best flash drive recovery service, FoneLab Data Retriever, and provides additional information about flash drives. It also introduces the procedure for backing up the computer to a flash drive, copying data from a flash drive to a flash drive, and more. Do you still have questions about this topic? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you!
FoneLab Data Retriever - recover the lost/deleted data from computer, hard drive, flash drive, memory card, digital camera and more.
- Recover photos, videos, documents and more data with ease.
- Preview data before recovery.
