How can I recover data from a portable storage device?

Modern computer technologies provide us with a great many options for storing our data. But still and all, portable storage devices remain prevailing for both business and personal use. They come in various forms, like USB sticks, memory cards and external hard drives, and enable flexible data transfer between computers. In addition, they allow for considerable expansion of the storage space of a PC, laptop, smartphone, digital camera, MP3 player, game console, video recorder or any other gadget.

However, despite their numerous benefits and constantly improving reliability, removable digital media are still exposed to the loss of valuable information. It may be caused not only by accidental deletion or formatting, but also by improper ejection, power cuts or software bugs. Fortunately, as long as the data stored on the device is not overwritten, a proper data recovery utility is able to bring the missing files back.

Chances to recover files lost or deleted from external digital media

External drives differ from internal ones in that they do not have a Recycle Bin or Trash. Yet, data from them is removed in an analogous manner in accordance with the rules defined by the file system applied on the storage. Thus, it usually remains on the drive until other information is written to replace it.

Warning: It is strongly recommended to stop using the device as soon as a data loss problem is detected. Further operations with the storage may destroy the lost files.

As a rule, such devices use the FAT32 file system (or its newer version – exFAT) mainly due to its compatibility with computers running any existing OS. Also, it can be read by more simple appliances that may even lack an operating system as such. This file system provides adequate chances for data recovery.

Hint: To learn more about FAT32 and other file system types, please, refer to the basics of file systems.

Yet, in several cases, the chances to recover data may be next to nil. In particular, please take into account the following factors:

• files gone after low-level (full) format cannot be restored. This operation completely wipes the drive leaving it empty, instead of destroying file system structures only;
• some portable SSDs support the TRIM command. It erases the content of files after their deletion, making them permanently destroyed;
• file shredding software makes it impossible to undelete files. That’s because it zeroes them out or overwrites them with some "garbage data";
• files recovery from an external data storage encrypted with a dedicated program, like BitLocker To Go, is only possible after unlocking it with the corresponding password or recovery key. Therefore, if both of them are lost or unavailable or if the metadata containing information about encryption gets lost or severely damaged/corrupted, data recovery software won’t even have a chance to access such a device, not to mention recovery of missing files;
• some portable devices, like mobile phones, smartwatches, MP3 players, etc. store their data in the internal memory rather than removable memory cards. When such a storage is connected to the computer, only a virtual representation of its file system can be opened via the Media Transfer Protocol. Meanwhile, the real file system is blocked for access by the manufacturer for security purposes. Low-level access to such a storage may be possible in some cases with Superuser permissions (for example, on Android phones), but rooting a device is not recommended – it may lead to a series of undesired consequences.

In the rest of cases, you can choose between UFS Explorer and Recovery Explorer that are recommended as effective and reliable software solutions for lost and deleted files recovery from external drives formatted with FAT32/exFAT or other file systems employed in the Windows, macOS, Linux or Unix/BSD operating systems.

The software thoroughly analyzes the storage and presents a list of found files and folders that can be recovered and saved to another place, without affecting the data source nor the information on it in any way.

How to recover files from an external data storage device

To regain the files missing from a removable drive with the help of UFS Explorer Standard Recovery, perform the following steps:

1. Download and install the program onto the computer. Verify that the downloaded version of the software corresponds to the operating system platform you are using.

   Hint: If you have any difficulties with the installation of the utility, please refer to the installation manual for installation manual for UFS Explorer Standard Recovery.

2. Attach your device directly to the host computer:

   • a USB flash drive should be plugged into the USB port of the computer;
   • an SD card or any other memory card should be inserted into the computer’s inbuilt card reader or attached to it with the help of an external USB adapter/card reader;
   • a microSD card can be placed into a corresponding SD card adapter and attached to the PC with its help;
   • a portable hard drive can be attached using any valid type of connection (USB, Thunderbolt, FireWire, eSATA). If your drive has a power switch, don’t forget to turn it on.

3. Start the application and alter its parameters in the settings tab, if it is needed.

4. Find this drive in the list of connected storages in the left pane and press the "Start scan" button at the bottom of the window or use the similar option in its context menu or in the toolbar at the top of list of storages to proceed to scanning procedure configuration.

   In case your device does not show up among the connected storages, please hit the "Refresh" button in the top bar to make the software update the list. Then try reattaching it and connecting it to another PC. If nothing helps, it is very likely that your storage medium has been physically damaged and you need to take it to a data recovery center.

5. Define the desired scan parameters. You may deselect all file systems except the one applied on your storage, but if you’re not totally sure concerning its type, leave them all selected. After that, press "Start scan" and wait for the results.

   Hint: More information about configuring the scan can be found in the instruction on scanning a drive with UFS Explorer.

6. Explore the files and folders found by the software. If the "Set up displaying of file status" tool is activated, all files will be listed with circular icons that indicate their state: the green color represents a "good" state of a file with a valid header; the red color refers to a "bad" (zeroed) file; the gray color may be used when a file has been partially corrupted or its integrity check has failed because of the format’s specifics. The deleted folders and files can be distinguished from the available data by the red color of their names. You may also sort the items by name, date, size, employ quick or advanced search and preview the content of files in the internal viewer. Press "Define selection" and pick out the ones you want to copy.

   Hint: The information provided in Evaluation and saving the results of data recovery may facilitate your work with the obtained folders and files.

7. Save these files to any data storage device except for the storage from which they are being recovered.

Hint: If you are going to save the recovered data to a network storage, please check the provided guide.

For more detailed instructions, please, refer to the article dedicated specifically to data recovery from your portable device:

• USB flash drive;
• External hard drive;
• Memory card.

Last update: May 27, 2024