How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

WindowsRecoveryFilesData ManagementSoftwareMicrosoftBackupComputersSecurityTroubleshooting

Accidentally deleting files is a common occurrence, but it's often possible to recover them on the Windows operating system. Whether you've accidentally deleted an important document, a precious photo, or an important piece of work, this guide will help you take the right steps to recover those lost files. We'll cover various methods from basic to advanced recovery techniques, ensuring that the process is simple and understandable.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

When you delete a file in Windows, it typically goes to the Recycle Bin first. This is essentially a holding area that allows you to easily restore deleted files back to their original location.

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Find the file you want to recover. You can use the search bar in the upper-right corner of the window to help you find the file.
3. Once you find the file, right-click on it and select Restore.
4. The file will be restored to its original location.

If the file is not in the Recycle Bin, you may have to explore other recovery options.

2. Restore previous versions

Windows has a built-in feature known as Previous Versions, which can allow you to restore files or folders to a previous state. This feature only works if you have File History or System Protection enabled.

1. Go to the folder where the file was originally located.
2. Right-click the folder and select Restore Previous Versions.
3. A list of available previous versions will appear. Select the version where the file existed.
4. Click Restore to restore the file to its previous state.

3. Use File History

If you have File History enabled, Windows regularly backs up versions of your files. Here's how to use this feature to recover deleted files:

1. Open Control Panel and go to System and Security > File History.
2. Click Restore personal files on the left pane.
3. Use the arrows to navigate to different backup periods.
4. Find the file you want to recover, select it, and then click the Restore button.

4. Recover from backup

If you regularly back up your files using an external drive or a cloud service, you can recover deleted files from your backup.

1. Connect your external backup drive to your computer or access your cloud backup service.
2. Go to the location of your backed up files.
3. Copy the files you need and paste them in their original location on your computer.

5. Data recovery software

If the above methods don't work, you can use third-party data recovery software. These tools can scan your hard drive for deleted files and try to recover them. Some popular data recovery programs include:

• Recuva: A free and easy-to-use recovery tool.
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A widely used program with a friendly interface.
• Disk Drill: Known for its extensive recovery features.

Using Recuva

Here's an example of using Recuva:

1. Download and install Recuva from its official website.
2. Launch the program and follow the Recuva wizard prompts.
3. Select the file type you want to recover (e.g., images, documents, etc.).
4. Select the location to scan for deleted files (e.g., Recycle Bin, specific folder).
5. Click on Start to begin the scanning process.
6. After the scan is complete, Recuva will display a list of recoverable files. Select the files you want to restore and click Recover.

Make sure to save the recovered files to another location, to avoid overwriting any other recoverable data.

6. Command Prompt technique

For those who are comfortable using the Command Prompt, there are a few ways to recover deleted files using the built-in Windows commands.

Using the CHKDSK command

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   chkdsk X: /f
   Replace X with the letter of the drive where the files were deleted from.
3. CHKDSK will scan the drive for file system errors and attempt to fix them.

Using the ATTRIB command

You can use the ATTRIB command to recover hidden and read-only files:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
   attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*
   Replace X with the drive letter where the files were deleted.

This command will make hidden read-only files visible again.

7. Professional data recovery services

If your data is very important and none of the software solutions work, you can consider turning to professional data recovery services. These companies have specialized equipment and knowledge to recover data from damaged or corrupted storage devices.

Professional recovery can be quite expensive, so consider the importance and value of your data before choosing this solution.

Prevention tips

To avoid the stress of losing important files in the future, consider the following preventive measures:

• Regular backups: Keep regular backups of your important files on external drives or cloud services.
• Enable File History: Use the File History feature of Windows to automatically back up versions of your files.
• Be careful: double-check files before deleting them to avoid accidental loss.
• Use reliable antivirus software: Protect your system from malware that can corrupt or delete files.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files on Windows is often possible in a number of ways, ranging from checking the Recycle Bin to using advanced data recovery software. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of successfully recovering your lost files. Always remember to keep backups and take preventive measures to protect your data.

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