Have you accidentally formatted your USB drive and lost all your precious photos, videos, or documents? Don’t panic! In this guide, we’ll show you how to recover deleted files from a formatted pen drive for free using PhotoRec, an open-source data recovery tool.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

• Stop using the USB drive immediately after data loss to prevent overwriting.
• Recovery success depends on how much new data was written after deletion.
• Backup recovered files to another drive to avoid permanent loss.

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📌 What You’ll Need

✔ A formatted USB drive (from which files were deleted)
✔ A working PC (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
✔ External storage (to save recovered files)
✔ PhotoRec (Free Tool) – Download Here

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🔍 Step 1: Download & Install PhotoRec

1. Go to PhotoRec’s official website.
2. Download the Windows version (or Mac/Linux if needed).
3. Extract the ZIP file (no installation required).

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🛠️ Step 2: Run PhotoRec to Recover Files

For Windows Users:

1. Open the extracted folder and run “photorec_win.exe” (as Administrator).
2. A Command Prompt window will open.

Select the USB Drive:

• Use arrow keys to select your USB drive (check size to confirm).
• Press Enter.

Choose Partition (if applicable):

• If your USB has multiple partitions, select the correct one.
• If unsure, choose “Whole Disk” (for full recovery).

Select File System:

• Choose FAT32/NTFS (most USB drives use these).
• Press Enter.

Choose Recovery Destination:

• Select another drive (NOT the same USB) to save recovered files.
• Create a “Recovered” folder and select it.

Start Recovery:

• Press “C” to begin scanning.
• Wait for the process to complete (time depends on USB size).

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📂 Step 3: Check Recovered Files

Once done:

1. Go to the “Recovered” folder you selected.
2. Sort files by type (JPEG, MP4, DOCX, etc.).
3. Open and verify recovered files.

💡 Note:

• Some files may have random names (PhotoRec recovers data, not filenames).
• Use file preview tools to identify important files.

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💡 Bonus Tips for Better Recovery

✔ Avoid saving new files to the USB after deletion.
✔ Use “TestDisk” (bundled with PhotoRec) if partitions are corrupted.
✔ For professional recovery, try EaseUS Data Recovery (Download Here).

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🚨 Alternative Methods if PhotoRec Doesn’t Work

1. Use Recuva (Download Here) – Simpler GUI for beginners.
2. Try Disk Drill (Download Here) – Free up to 500MB recovery.
3. Remove USB & consult a professional if drive is physically damaged.

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📌 Final Thoughts

Accidentally formatting a USB doesn’t mean your files are gone forever! With PhotoRec, you can recover lost data for free—just follow the steps carefully.

💬 Questions? Drop them in the comments below!

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📌 Tags:

USB data recovery, recover formatted pen drive, free data recovery, PhotoRec tutorial, lost file recovery, USB repair

📌 Hashtags:

#DataRecovery #USBFix #PhotoRec #FreeRecovery #TechGuide #LostFiles #WindowsTips

Sneha Rao

Sneha is a hardware reviewer and technology journalist. She has reviewed laptops and desktops for over 6 years, focusing on performance, design, and user experience. Previously working with a consumer tech magazine, she now brings her expertise to in-depth product reviews and comparisons.

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