Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

I have a USB flash that when you try to open says 'your drive is not formatted' and cannot proceed beyond that. How can I solve this without formatting because I have some information that I need from it.

Usman Mubashir
2012-08-22 19:26:33
When I encountered this problem, I quick formatted the drive and recovered everything using easus data recovery tool
jones198315
2012-08-22 01:57:11
When I faced the similar situation, I just formatted the USB drive to use it further and used USB data recovery tool to perform
MAKEUSEOF VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Mac photo recovery from formatted USB drive . This tool worked with good results. I hope this will help you. You can also download demo tool [Broken Link Removed] and test the data recovery process.
FIDELIS
2012-08-20 22:01:40
Hello, does it give you the option of answering no to the formatting? If it does, answer no and it will open the contents. Was the flashdrive disconnected without using the safely remove option? That is mostly the main reason for corrupted drives.
Kaashif Haja
2012-08-20 01:23:26
I see that your have some files which you don't want to get deletedTry to backup your files in Linux, then you format it!Your problem is solved.
Bert Jerred
2012-08-18 12:16:18
Sometimes, a USB flash drive is formatted with a filesystem that the operating system (e.g., Windows 7) just doesn't know how to read; if you have access to a computer running something like Ubuntu, I would try plugging it in there - and if you aren't immediately able to find your data, use the "Disk Utility" to find out a) if the USB device has a problem, or b) if it's a filesystem issue.For example, Windows likes the NTFS and FAT formats. When I used a 4GB USB flash drive to run a version of the Chromium OS, Windows could only see a portion of those 4 gigs. Plugging the same drive into an Ubuntu machine allowed me to see the whole deal, which included some weird partitions.If you're feeling particularly daring, you can use a program called, "Testdisk," to recover deleted files! Fun!
ras magombe steven
2012-08-14 06:06:30
i have tried most of these options but non seem to be working, luckily the user had the data backed up else where, so i just formatted it and its now working.thanks alot.
Mihovil Pletikos
2012-08-13 18:36:17
most probably you'll have to format it.... but try to use check if it works on other computer or/and check for errors on it
Erlis D.
2012-08-12 21:45:12
One reason might be the one Pankaj said (see above comment)..But if not, the better way I know is, moving all your files on you hard disk, than format your USB, and move your files back to your USB...
GrrGrrr
2012-08-12 20:23:15
i guess u r using usb on Windows-7try checking in some other OS/PC.
echantrea
2012-08-12 10:26:16
Try to change port if it fails. format and recovery.
Lambvolution
2012-08-11 21:04:40
try to use different machine with different OS
Pankaj Lakhani
2012-08-11 10:17:41
You can solve it by properly attaching your USB onto your PC or laptop. It might not be properly detached, try this if it works. If not then try to repair it with right clicking on drive, then properites, click on repair. If this also not solves it, USB might have hardware problems that requires a servicing which might help recover your content inside it.
Ole Funch
2012-08-11 09:04:36
When tis happens to me, I usely have a menu saying "Repair", and this normaly works.Another tip is, try using it on another PC, and try to see if the same thing happens, if not, then you can copy the files you don't want to loose!
ha14
2012-08-11 08:21:18
Click Start and then Run. Type cmd and then click OK. Type the following:chkdsk [USB drive letter] /rthis will Scan for and attempt Recovery of bad sectorsorchkdsk [USB drive letter] /fthis will Automatically Fix file system errors on the diskto recover files before format try recuva, Pandora Recovery
Ole Funch
2012-08-11 09:06:44
or try a mini recovery tool: pdr6free (.exe), you can search for it.