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Accidentally deleting files can lead to nightmarish scenarios. Even if files are deleted on purpose, there still may be a reason you’ll need to recover a past draft or version of a file. Thankfully, there are several ways to recover deleted files on your PC, both with and without having to spend any money. Here are four of the most common deleted file recovery methods.
1. Check Your Recycle Bin
Find the File
This is the most important step when you need to recover a file that might have been deleted. If the file has been in the recycling bin for less than 30 days, it will still be in the recycling bin. When you go into the recycling bin, try organizing the files by date to see if you can find the one you’re looking for.
Restore the File
After you find the correct file, right-click the record and click the “Restore” option from the menu that pops up. This will send the file back to the folder it was deleted from. If you aren’t sure where that was, type the file name into the search bar as seen in the next section.
The Recycle Bin will hold onto deleted files for 30 days, giving you time to restore items deleted accidentally.
2. Use the Control Panel
If you can’t find the file in the recycling bin, it could still be stored elsewhere on your computer. Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You can use the search bar to find any files you’re trying to track down. This feature will search all of the folders on your PC, helping you track down files that are stored in places you might not expect.
On Windows 10, a search box is enabled in the taskbar by default.
3. Use a Data Recovery Software
If your search with native tools isn’t fruitful, there programs available from software developers you can use to help you recover files that may have been deleted.
Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is available for free in the Microsoft Store and can be downloaded easily. There are two search modes: Regular and Extensive. Launching this program will open the Command Prompt, and an Administrator will need to allow it access to the hard drive.
Source: PC World
Make sure you get familiar with the source and destination locations that Windows File Recovery is referring to. Using the proper mode is also important; the Regular search mode can find recently deleted files, and Extensive search mode looks for files that were deleted a long time ago, or were corrupted.
Stellar Data Recovery
With its robust free version, wide array of compatibility and plenty of options for upgrading, Stellar Data Recovery topped our list of the best data recovery software. This program is highly rated by users and allows you to recover up to 1 GB of data without spending a dime. Options for both home and business use are available.
EaseUS
A solid track record spanning nearly twenty years proves that EaseUS is a reliable name in the data recovery industry. It offers support for both Mac and PC users, and can even recover files on mobile devices. The free version can recover up to 2 GB of deleted data, and allows you to preview the files before restoration so that you can ensure you recover the right information.
Disk Drill
One more file recovery service that can work for free is Disk Drill for Windows. It can recover files under 500 MB for free. The service also has a Recovery Vault that will protect your files in case of emergency. Once it is installed, it can easily search and restore your files to a disk drive.
4. Hire a Data Recovery Service
If you have too many files or the services aren’t working for you, it might be time to get a data recovery service to do the work for you. These experts can help you recover corrupted files and restore data that you might have lost forever.
After doing some research on Google or asking your colleagues for a referral, you can compare pricing plans and see what the capabilities are. If you’re looking for more basic file recovery of Microsoft Word documents or Excel spreadsheets, you’ll probably need a smaller service. If you’re working with larger files for graphic design or photography, you might need a more robust service.
Bottom Line
Having a file recovery plan in place is crucial, especially for small and medium-sized business owners. There could be a need for old files at any time, from past employment records to a historical company logo. Plus, there’s always the risk of human error causing crucial files to be deleted at an inopportune time. Protect your assets by making sure you have the right tools in place in case of an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is data recovery?
Data recovery is the process of retrieving data from a damaged or corrupt storage device. This can be done using software, hardware or a combination of both.
Can files be recovered once deleted?
Yes, files can be recovered after being deleted. The level of difficulty depends on how long ago the file was deleted, however, and you may need to use specialized tools if trying to recover data that has been corrupted.
How can I recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin without third-party software?
The quickest way to recover files that have been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin is with Windows File Recovery. You can also go into the File History of a file and restore a past version.
FAQs
The quickest way to recover files that have been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin is with Windows File Recovery. You can also go into the File History of a file and restore a past version.
How is it possible to recover deleted files? ›
If you can't find a file on your computer or you accidently modified or deleted a file, you can restore it from a backup (if you're using Windows backup) or you can try to restore it from a previous version. Previous versions are copies of files and folders that Windows automatically saves as part of a restore point.
Can deleted files always be recovered explain your answer? ›
When you look for the file in the table of contents, it won't be there, so it's like it's deleted. However, if you actually go through the pages, that information is still there. Data recovery for deleted files usually involve going through every page and seeing what's there.
Which command will you use to restore a deleted file answer? ›
To recover files using cmd from external drive, we'll use the attrib command. This command applies to Deleted, lost, hidden, and even virus-infected file recovery.
Can I access permanently deleted files? ›
If you have pressed the Delete key, you can recover files from the Recycle Bin. If the data is permanently deleted that means it is not there in the Recycle Bin. Microsoft Windows provides a file history option to get back hidden folders. It enables users to restore the previous version of the deleted file and folder.
Are permanently deleted files gone forever? ›
When you permanently delete a file, the storage drive makes its space available for new data. However, the file is not deleted. It remains on the hard drive; only the file pointers get deleted. (The File pointer shows you where the file exists and keeps track of it being accessed.)
How can I recover permanently deleted files without software? ›
Best 6 Methods to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10 Without Software
- Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin.
- Method 2: Recover Files Using Microsoft's Windows File Recovery.
- Method 3: Restore Deleted Files From Native Windows Backups.
- Method 4: Restore Data By Fixing the Corrupted File System Using CMD.
Even after emptying the Recycle Bin, there is still a chance of data recovery if no new data is written on those specific sectors where the deleted files exist. If specific sectors of the hard disc are overwritten with new data, however, the odds of recovering deleted files are little to none.
Can you recover recently deleted? ›
You can restore recently deleted photos and videos that are still in your trash. Items that are permanently deleted can't be restored. Backed up photos and videos stay in your trash for 60 days. Photos and videos that weren't backed up stay in your trash for 30 days.
How old deleted files can be recovered? ›
Restore data.
Select the date range for the data that you want to restore. You can only restore data that was deleted within the last 25 days.
Are Deleted Files Completely Erased Forever? A common misconception when deleting files is that they are completely removed from the hard drive. However, users should be aware that highly sensitive data can still be retrieved from a hard drive even after the files have been deleted because the data is not really gone.
Can a permanently deleted folder be recovered? ›
If it is permanently deleted using Shift + Delete or the Recycle Bin is emptied, the folder may still be recoverable using data recovery software. Can I recover a deleted folder from a formatted drive? Yes, it is possible to recover a deleted folder from a formatted drive using specialized data recovery software.
How do I recover permanently deleted files from Windows 10? ›
Press the Windows key, enter Windows File Recovery in the search box, and then select Windows File Recovery. When you are prompted to allow the app to make changes to your device, select Yes. There are 2 basic modes you can use to recover files: Regular and Extensive.
How can I recover permanently deleted files from cmd? ›
Recover data from RAW drive Via Command Prompt
- Connect the hard drive containing the lost data in a computer with Windows OS.
- To begin, click on the Start menu and type “cmd” >> Enter key.
- Then, type “diskpart” and hit the Enter key.
- After that, type “Rescan” and press the Enter key.
- Finally, your files should get recovered.
There are many options available, ranging from free and open-source tools to commercial and professional ones. Some of the most popular forensic tools for recovering deleted files are Autopsy, FTK Imager, Recuva, and PhotoRec.
Can you recover deleted files from years ago? ›
It doesn't matter if the files were deleted a week ago, a month ago, or a year, even years ago. Professional EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard enables you to effectively scan and restore files that were deleted a long time ago in only a few simple clicks.
How to recover permanently deleted files not in Recycle Bin? ›
Retrieve deleted files not in the recycle bin from previous versions only works if you turn on the file history backup. Do a right-click of the mouse on the folder that contains deleted files. Then a sub-context menu appears with a lot of options. Over there, you need to click on the Restore previous versions option.
How can I recover permanently deleted files after 30 days? ›
If you fail to restore a deleted file within the 30-day window, or if you have emptied the trash manually, the files will be permanently deleted from your Google Drive. You can however contact Google Support and they may restore the deleted files for you. Go to support.google.com/drive?
Can System Restore recover permanently deleted files? ›
No. System Restore will never recover personal files. Creating a system restore point simply takes a snapshot of system files, system settings, installed programs, and Windows registry. So, System Restore only changes system files, system settings, Windows updates, etc.
