Before panic sets in, it’s crucial to understand that deleted data aren’t necessarily lost forever. Losing essential information on your Windows computer can be a stressful and frightening experience. Windows has a number of built-in tools and techniques that can assist you in safely and swiftly recovering lost data. Additionally, if necessary, there are trustworthy third-party recovery solutions. Without hurrying or running the risk of more data loss, we’ll show you how to recover deleted files on Windows using easy, step-by-step methods in this post.
Check the recycle bin first
Remember that Windows frequently retains deleted files in the Recycle Bin until you manually empty it, so don’t assume your files are lost permanently. It is therefore the quickest and most convenient location to begin your recuperation process.
Locating and restoring recently deleted files
- Open the recycle bin: double-click its icon on your desktop or search for it in the start menu.
- Browse for your file: items are usually sorted by the date they were deleted, so check the top for recent deletions.
- Restore your file: right-click the item and select restore. It will return to its original folder location, just as it was before deletion.
Using search filters to find specific items
If your recycle bin is full, manually scrolling can be time-consuming. Use the built-in search to pinpoint your file faster:
- Search by file name: type part of the file’s name in the search box at the top-right.
- Filter by date deleted: in the toolbar, click search tools → date deleted to narrow results.
- Filter by file type: enter filters like *.docx for Word files or *.jpg for images.
Use windows file history
If Windows’ built-in file history capability was enabled prior to the file being lost, it could be a lifesaver if the recycle bin doesn’t contain your erased file. Versions of your files are automatically backed up via file history, allowing you to restore them even after deletion.
Accessing file history backups
- Open settings: click the start menu → settings → update & security → backup.
- Check if file history is on: look for the “back up using file history” option.
- Access file history: in the search bar, type restore your files with file history and press enter.
Restoring previous versions of files and folders
- Navigate to the folder: browse to the location where the file was stored.
- Right-click the folder or file: choose restore previous versions.
- Select the version you want: preview and confirm before restoring.
- Click restore: the file will be recovered to its original location.
Recover from a System Restore Point
System restoration may be useful if neither the recycle bin nor the file history are functional, particularly if the lost file was caused by system modifications, software installations, or configuration problems. Although it isn’t intended to be a complete file recovery tool, it occasionally restores files that were included in system snapshots.
Understanding what system restore can and cannot recover
- Can recover: system settings, installed programs, and some files tied to the system state.
- Cannot recover: personal files like documents, photos, or videos that weren’t included in the restore point.
- Best use case: undoing recent changes that caused problems or retrieving older versions of system-related files.
Rolling back to a restore point to retrieve lost files
- Open system restore: type create a restore point in the search bar and press enter.
- Select system restore from the system properties window.
- Choose a restore point: pick a date before the file was deleted or changed.
- Follow the prompts to complete the rollback.
- Check your files after the restore—some may have returned with the restored system state.
Try Windows Backup and Restore (Legacy Tool)
If you set up Windows’ backup and restore program before the file loss occurred, it can be a lifesaver. Windows still comes with it. When necessary, you can restore the backup copies of your files and folders created by this function.
Accessing the backup and restore control panel
- Open control panel: search for the control panel in the start menu and open it.
- Go to backup and restore: click system and security → backup and restore (Windows 7).
- Check for available backups: confirm if a previous backup exists on your computer or an external drive.
Restoring files from previous backups
- Click restore my files in the backup and restore window.
- Browse for files or folders you want to recover.
- Select the backup version with the correct date.
- Restore to original location or choose a new one to avoid overwriting files.
Use Command Prompt for hidden or lost files
If you set up Windows’ backup and restore program before the file loss occurred, it can be a lifesaver. When necessary, you can restore the backup copies of your files and folders created by this function.
Recovering files with the attrib command
- Open command prompt: type cmd in the start menu, right-click, and select run as administrator.
- Navigate to the drive: type the drive letter followed by a colon (e.g., D:) and press enter.
Run the attrib command:
attrib -h -r -s /s /d *.*- This removes hidden, read-only, and system attributes from files so they become visible again.
- Check the drive or folder for newly visible files.
Listing and copying recoverable files from hidden directories
- List files: in command prompt, type “dir /a” to view all files, including hidden ones.
- Navigate into directories: use “cd foldername” to move between folders.
- Copy files: use the copy command to move files to a safe location.
copy filename.docx C:\Recovered
Restore from OneDrive or Cloud Backups
Even after erasing your files locally, there’s a strong possibility you can recover them if they were synchronized to a cloud service like OneDrive. To provide additional security, several cloud services maintain their own recycle bins and version history.
Checking onedrive recycle bin for deleted files
- Sign in to onedrive: open the onedrive app or go to onedrive.com.
- Open the recycle bin: find it in the left-hand menu.
- Locate your file: browse or use the search bar to find deleted item
- Click restore: the file will return to its original synced location.
Restoring cloud-synced files to your pc
- Check version history: right-click a file in onedrive and select version history to recover older copies.
- Download from cloud: if a file was removed locally, download it directly from your onedrive account.
- Sync your folders: ensure onedrive sync is turned on so restored files appear back on your pc automatically.
Use Third-Party Data recovery tools
Third-party recovery software can assist in scanning your drives and recovering files that appear to be permanently lost when the built-in Windows solutions are ineffective. These tools look for remnants of erased data deep within your drive’s storage sectors.
Scanning drives for recoverable data
- Download and install a trusted recovery tool: avoid suspicious downloads—only use well-known developers.
- Select the target drive: choose the drive where the file was lost.
- Run a quick or deep scan: quick scans are faster, but deep scans find more recoverable files.
- Preview and select files to restore before saving them to a new location.
Examples: recuva, disk drill, easeus data recovery
- Recuva: free and easy to use, great for basic file recovery.
- Disk drill: supports multiple file systems and includes extra disk tools.
Easeus data recovery wizard: user-friendly with a high success rate for deep scans.