Recover Corrupted USB Files in Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Use the CHKDSK Command ✅

• Plug your USB drive into your Windows 10 computer.
• Type ‘cmd’ in the Windows search bar, right-click on ‘Command Prompt,’ and select ‘Run as administrator.’
• In the Command Prompt, type `chkdsk X: /f` (replace ‘X’ with your USB drive’s letter) and press Enter.
• Wait for the command to scan and attempt to fix errors on your USB drive.
• Once done, check if your files are now accessible.

Note: This method works for minor file system errors.

Conclusion: The CHKDSK command is a powerful tool for fixing minor errors and recovering files from a corrupted USB drive.

Method 2: Update or Reinstall Drivers 🔄

• Open ‘Device Manager’ by right-clicking on the Windows Start button and selecting ‘Device Manager.’
• Expand the ‘Disk Drives’ category, right-click your USB drive, and select ‘Update driver.’
• Choose ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ and follow the prompts.
• If updating the driver doesn’t work, go back and select ‘Uninstall device’ instead. Then restart your computer and reconnect the USB drive to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
• Check if your files are accessible after driver reinstallation.

Note: Driver issues can prevent your USB drive from being recognized or functioning correctly.

Conclusion: Updating or reinstalling drivers can resolve recognition issues and is an essential step when troubleshooting corrupted USB drives.

Method 3: Using Disk Management 🚀

• Press Win + X and select ‘Disk Management.’
• Locate your USB drive and check its status. If it shows ‘RAW’ or has no file system, right-click it and choose ‘Format.’
• Select the file system (NTFS, FAT32, etc.) and click ‘OK’ to format the drive.
• Once formatted, use a data recovery tool to retrieve your files. One such reliable tool is Recuva.
• Follow the tool’s instructions to scan and recover your files from the newly formatted drive.

Note: Formatting will erase all data on the drive. Ensure to use a reliable data recovery tool afterward.

Conclusion: Disk Management is useful for addressing significant file system issues, especially when paired with data recovery software.

Method 4: Use Antivirus Software 🛡

• Download and install a reliable antivirus program like Malwarebytes.
• Run a full scan of your USB drive to detect and remove any malware.
• Once the malware is removed, check the drive to see if your files are restored.
• If the files are still missing, use a data recovery tool to recover them.
• Make sure to regularly update your antivirus software to avoid future infections.

Note: Running an antivirus scan is essential when files show up as shortcuts.

Conclusion: Antivirus software helps remove malware that can corrupt files and render them as shortcuts, making it a crucial step in data recovery.

Method 5: Use Data Recovery Software 🛠

• Download and install a reputable data recovery program like EaseUS.
• Launch the software and select your USB drive from the list of available drives.
• Click on ‘Scan’ to start the scanning process.
• Once the scan is complete, preview and select the files you want to recover.
• Click ‘Recover’ and choose a new location to save the recovered files.

Note: Always save recovered files to a different location to avoid overwriting existing data on the USB drive.

Conclusion: Data recovery software is highly effective for recovering lost or corrupted files, making it a must-try solution.

Method 6: Run the Windows Troubleshooter 🔍

• Open Settings by pressing Win + I and navigate to ‘Update & Security.’
• Click on ‘Troubleshoot’ from the side menu.
• Select ‘Hardware and Devices’ and click on ‘Run the troubleshooter.’
• Follow the on-screen instructions to let Windows diagnose and fix the problem related to your USB drive.
• Check if your files are now accessible once the troubleshooting is complete.

Note: The Windows Troubleshooter can identify and resolve common hardware-related issues with your USB drive.

Conclusion: The built-in Windows Troubleshooter is a helpful tool for resolving basic issues without needing advanced technical knowledge.

Method 7: Assign a New Drive Letter 🔤

• Open ‘Disk Management’ by pressing Win + X and selecting ‘Disk Management.’
• Find your USB drive from the list of available drives.
• Right-click on the drive and select ‘Change Drive Letter and Paths.’
• Click ‘Change,’ choose a new drive letter, and click ‘OK’ to confirm.
• Reconnect your USB drive and check if the files are accessible with the new drive letter.

Note: Sometimes, assigning a new drive letter can resolve conflicts that may prevent your USB drive from being recognized.

Conclusion: Changing the drive letter is a quick and easy fix that can resolve recognition issues and make your files accessible again.