USB stick: Rescue deleted files - how it works

There is no guarantee of data recovery, but you can often access the deleted files on a USB stick or SD card again. First of all, it is important that you do not carry out any more write operations on the drive concerned after deletion, as this may overwrite the content searched for.

USB stick and memory card: data recovery with "Recuva"

To save it, install the free Recuva tool on your hard drive. You can download it free of charge here.

1. After the quick installation, a wizard starts to help with the next steps. There you first select the type of file you are looking for, such as "Images" or "Documents", or use the "Other" option for a full search.
2. After clicking on "Next" select the storage location in question. If you want to search specifically for a data carrier, select the option "At a specific location" and then enter the storage location or navigate there via "Search".
3. You can also choose, for example, the "Recycle Bin" or search your entire computer with "I'm not sure". Then click Next". In the following dialog, leave the "Activate depth scan" option switched off first, because this analysis can take a very long time.
4. After clicking on "Start" you will quickly receive a result. The list shows all deleted data and also shows in color whether it can be reconstructed. Click on the "Advanced Settings" button, then you can mark each file found, see a preview of it on the right and read detailed status information in the "Info" tab.
5. In the case of files marked in red that cannot be restored, you can see what they were overwritten with. To reconstruct, check the boxes in front of the required files and then click "Restore". Be sure to select a folder on another drive as the storage location and confirm with "OK".

• Note: Basically, the reconstruction works even with defective files, although the result is likely to be incorrect. In the case of a text file, this can nevertheless offer some help if at least certain parts of the text are legible again.

Tip: Stiftung Warentest also tested data savers. We have summarized the results for you in this article.