File Recovey On Data Stick

I have have a data stick/flash drive (not sure of exact term). The only thing on it is "Foktech", which I presume is the make.

It has been plugged into a USB port on three different computers: a Windows 10 laptop, Windows 11 desktop and a MacBook. A light flashes on the data stick but none of the computers recognise it.

I have heard there is software you can use to try to recover files. Can anybody please recommend some? I am not that bothered about what is on the data stick so I don't want to go to the bother of buying software so I'd be grateful for recommendations for free recovery software, if there is any.

 

You can't recover anything from a USB stick if it is not recognized.

If you know someone who runs linux, sometimes a USB stick can be mounted and files moved off in linux. Linux will sometimes "see" things that Windows is not able to.

Looking at Foktech, I see they make wifi dongles. Are you sure this is a stick with data and not a wifi dongle?

 

Great question by plodr, I'd clean forgotten such things existed. If you aren't sure how to answer it just plug it in and open Device Manager where, if it is a wifi dongle, you should see a new Foktech device, most probably under Network Adapters or Other Devices.

 

I think it's time for me to go into a home for the mentally bewildered.

You are perefectly correct, it's a wifi dongle. I used it on my previous desktop which didn't have built-in wifi.

EDIT: This is a reply to plodr. (Earthling snook in while I was typing it.)

 

At last you won't go crazy trying to recover files!

I have my data USB sticks in cases and a tag on each indicating some of the files on each. Of course I have odd bits of cables, adapters, gender changers etc. I sometimes come across something and wonder what I used it for. So you aren't alone!