Stop Using the USB Drive Immediately
Any further writes can overwrite the data you need. Disconnect the drive and avoid copying new files until recovery is finished.
Choose the Right Scan Mode
RecoverHelper offers three scan options; for a quick‑formatted USB, the best choice is:
- Carving Only: Signature‑based scan that works on FAT32, exFAT, and other non‑NTFS volumes, retrieving files even when original names are lost.
- Deep Scan: Runs a Quick Scan first, then performs full signature carving – safe to use but slower.
- Quick Scan: Reads the MFT and is useful only on healthy NTFS drives; not effective after a quick format.
Recover to a Different Drive
RecoverHelper opens the source USB in read‑only mode and blocks same‑drive output. Save recovered files to another USB stick, external hard drive, or your computer’s internal drive to avoid overwriting the original data.
Free JPG & PNG Recovery – No Purchase Needed
Immediately recover JPG and PNG photos at full quality. No signup, no ads, and no cost – just run the scan and preview your pictures before saving.
Unlock All Formats for Free with the Mobile App
Pair the free mobile app (scan a QR code once) to enable recovery of all other formats – RAW, HEIC, video, audio, documents, and archives – also completely free.