You pulled a USB stick out mid-transfer, or deleted a folder with Shift + Delete, and now the files you needed are gone. Best USB Data Recovery Software (sold by Recover USB Drive) is built for this situation. It scans the drive and lets you preview what it finds before you pay to restore anything.
Quick facts
- Platforms: Windows and Mac versions
- File systems: FAT16 and FAT32 (the vendor's page); the listing also mentions NTFS and ExFAT
- Trial: a demo scans and previews; restoring files requires purchase
- Minimum memory: 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), 50 MB for installation
Key features
Recover deleted or lost files in separate modes
After you pick "Recover Files", you choose between Recover Deleted Files and Recover Lost Files, depending on how the data disappeared.
Preview files before you buy
You can look at the recovered content first, so you know the files are usable before you pay for the full version.
Find files by name, size or date
You can sort recovered data by file extension and locate a particular file by attributes such as name, size and date. It also handles drives that show a RAW file system.
Save recovered files to other media
You can save recovered files to CD/DVD, internal or external hard drives, and memory cards.
Works with common USB brands and media types
The vendor lists support for Samsung, Transcend, HP, Kingston and Lexar drives. It identifies audio, video, images and documents such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel files.
Who it's for
It suits you if you have a flash drive or pen drive that lost files through accidental deletion, an interrupted transfer, a virus, or an antivirus clean-up, and you want a guided, three-step process.
Pros and cons
- Pro: a simple three-step workflow
- Pro: preview before purchase
- Pro: covers deleted files, lost files and RAW drives
- Con: the demo cannot save files; you must buy to restore
- Con: the vendor's page names only FAT16 and FAT32 as supported file systems
FAQs
How do I recover files?
Install the software, connect the drive, choose "Recover Files", pick the deleted or lost mode, select the drive and click Next. Then select the files you want and restore them.
Can I try it first?
Yes. The demo scans the drive and shows you the results, and restoring needs the full version.
How do I avoid losing files again?
Use "Safely Remove Hardware" before unplugging, avoid third-party tools that can cause data loss, and use a UPS to protect against power surges.
System requirements
Minimum 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended), 50 MB of free space for installation, on 32-bit or 64-bit PCs.