Can I fix a RAW USB without formatting?

Yes, you can use the CHKDSK command or free tools like iCare Recovery Free to attempt recovery without formatting.

Why can’t I format a RAW pen drive?

A RAW pen drive may not format due to bad sectors or severe file system corruption. Using DiskPart or specialized recovery utilities can help.

Is CMD safe for fixing RAW USB drives?

Yes, CMD is safe, but DiskPart erases all data. Always recover your files with a tool like iCare Recovery Free before using it.

Which free tool is recommended?

iCare Recovery Free is recommended for recovering data from RAW USB drives before attempting repairs.

Can I recover data from a completely formatted pen drive?

Yes, you can recover data from a formatted pen drive if files haven’t been overwritten. iCare Recovery Free is the most effective tool for this.

Is there a 100% free tool for formatted pen drive recovery?

Yes, iCare Recovery Free is a trusted free software that allows you to scan and recover files from a formatted pen drive.

Can I use Command Prompt to recover data?

Yes, using the chkdsk command in Command Prompt can sometimes recover files, but software like iCare Recovery Free is far more reliable.

What should I avoid after formatting?

Avoid saving new data to the pen drive after formatting, as this overwrites old files and makes recovery impossible.

Recover Formatted Pen Drive – Complete Guide ⚡

Accidentally formatted your pen drive? Don’t worry! ✅ You can recover a formatted pen drive and restore your important files using reliable tools and methods. The fastest and most effective way is by using iCare Recovery Free, a free recovery software designed to unformat pen drives, pen sticks, and thumb drives.

Accidentally Formatted Pen Drive – How to Recover

Imagine this: You plug in your pen drive to quickly copy some files, but in a rush you hit Format instead of Open. Within seconds, everything is gone. This is a common mistake many users face — an accidentally formatted pen drive with precious work files, family photos, or school projects.

The good news? ✅ Your data isn’t gone forever. When you format a drive, the system only erases the file table, not the actual files (until overwritten). That’s why it’s crucial to stop using the pen drive immediately and run a recovery solution like iCare Recovery Free.

With just a few clicks, iCare can scan your formatted pen drive and bring back those files you thought were lost forever. It’s the safest way to recover from that stressful “oops” moment.

Quick Solution: Recover Pen Drive Using iCare Recovery Free

iCare Recovery Free is the most recommended method to get data back after formatting a pen drive. It’s simple to use, works with almost all USB drives, and can recover documents, photos, videos, music, archives, and more. Besides formatted pen drives, it also supports recovery from deleted files, corrupted USB drives, SD cards, RAW file systems, and external hard disks. This makes iCare Recovery Free a complete all-in-one recovery solution for both accidental deletion and serious storage errors.

Steps to Recover Formatted Pen Drive with iCare Recovery Free

Stop Using the Drive: ⛔ Do not save new files to the formatted pen drive to avoid overwriting.
Download & Install: Install iCare Recovery Free on your computer.
Connect & Scan: Plug in the formatted USB drive, open iCare, select the drive, choose 'Deep Scan Recovery' and start scanning 🔍.
Preview & Recover: After scanning, preview found files and recover them to a different location (not the formatted pen drive).

✅ This method is safe, fast, and highly recommended if you accidentally formatted your pen drive and need your files back immediately.

Other Methods to Recover a Formatted Pen Drive

Besides recovery software, you can also try these additional solutions:

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (Basic Check)

Connect the Drive: Insert the formatted USB drive into your PC.
Open CMD as Administrator: Search “cmd” → Right-click → Run as administrator.
Run chkdsk: Type chkdsk X: /f (replace X with the pen drive’s letter) and press Enter.
Check for Files: If successful, a folder with recovered files may appear on the drive.

⚠️ This is a basic repair method and it would only work for a file system damaged pen drive when it keeps asking to format. It doesn’t always work for completely formatted drives.

Method 3: Checking Backups

Windows Backup: Search “Restore your files with File History” in the Start menu.
Locate & Restore: Select the drive where your USB was backed up, if available.
Other Backup Apps: Check third-party backup tools (Acronis, IM-Magic Partition Resizer, EaseUS, etc.) for earlier versions of your files.

💡 This works only if you had a backup enabled before formatting. Note: IM-Magic Partition Resizer offers disk cloning together with free OS migration for free.

How to Get Data Back After Formatting Pen Drive

Many users ask: how to get data back after formatting pen drive? Whether you formatted it by accident or for troubleshooting, the steps are easier than you might think.

Here’s what most people want when recovering:

📂 Retrieve lost documents (Word, Excel, PDFs)
📸 Bring back irreplaceable photos and videos
🎶 Restore music, projects, or creative work
💾 Use a free, safe solution without expensive services

That’s exactly what iCare Recovery Free provides. Just connect your USB drive, launch the software, run a scan, and preview your files. Within minutes, you can restore your important data to a secure location.

Instead of losing hours of work or years of memories, you’ll have your files back — all thanks to a reliable recovery tool.

Also read: USB flash drive format recovery

FAQ – Recovering Formatted Pen Drives

Q: Can I recover data from a completely formatted pen drive?
A: Yes, if the old files haven’t been overwritten. iCare Recovery Free is the best option.
Q: Is there a 100% free tool for formatted pen drive recovery?
A: Yes, iCare Recovery Free is free and effective for USB recovery.
Q: Can I use Command Prompt to recover data?
A: Yes, using chkdsk may recover some files under certain conditions, but it’s less reliable than software.
Q: What should I avoid after formatting?
A: Avoid saving new data on the pen drive, as this reduces the chance of recovery.