How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 7 [Full Guide]

Deletion is one of the most common scenarios of data loss. You may intentionally or accidentally delete files on Windows 7 in the following ways:

• Delete a file to move it to the Recycle Bin
• Permanently remove a file using the Shift+Delete function
• Erase files permanently by emptying the Recycle Bin
• Delete a file without sending it to the Recycle Bin

Deleting an important file can be a painful experience. Other causes for lost files include virus attacks, system errors, or formatting the hard drive. In this article, you'll learn how to recover deleted files in Windows 7 or how to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 7 in different ways.

Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 7 Without Backup

To recover deleted files that are not in the Recycle Bin, or to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 7 without a backup, you can use professional data recovery software to do all the work for you.

"Free Download Software to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 7"

Data Recovery Wizard is an outstanding solution for various data recovery scenarios, such as deleted file recovery, formatted recovery, RAW drive recovery, and virus attack recovery.

Important: Stop using the disk/partition or storage media that contained the deleted files. Writing new data might overwrite the lost information and reduce the chances of recovery.

Now, download the Free Trial of the tool to recover Shift deleted files in Windows 7 in 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Select the location to scan

Select the specific device or drive from where you Shift deleted or permanently erased files by Emptying the Recycle Bin. Then, hit the “Scan” button to look for the lost files.

Step 2: Check the results

The software will automatically start scanning everything on the selected drive. Once the scan is complete, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders in the left panel. Then, use the "Filter" feature or click the "Search for a File or Folder" button to quickly locate your deleted files.

Step 3: Recover the deleted files

Select the deleted files you want to restore and click “Preview.” Then, hit “Recover” to save them to another secure location or device.

Free Undelete Files on Windows 7

Tools Data Recovery Wizard Pro enables you to effectively recover an unlimited number of deleted files on Windows 7. It's a user-friendly and professional-grade data recovery tool that helps both beginners and professionals restore deleted files without a backup.

You can also download the free data recovery software and recover up to 2 GB of data for free on Windows 7.

Free Windows 7 Data Recovery Software

Aside from the Windows built-in data recovery tool, you have other options. Check out this list of the top 10 best Windows 7 data recovery software to help you recover deleted files on Windows 7.

How to recover deleted files in Windows 7 without software

This article will describe three common ways to recover deleted files in Windows 7 without using file recovery software. Let's look at the steps in detail.

Watch this video tutorial to learn how you can recover deleted files in various ways.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin in Windows 7

Normally, after you delete data, you can immediately proceed to the Recycle Bin to check and restore them. You have a high chance of recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin.

TIP: A USB flash drive is not the same as an external hard drive. Files deleted from a USB flash drive do not go to your computer's Recycle Bin and are lost permanently. Thus, if you accidentally delete important files, learn how to recover permanently deleted files from USB without software right away.

Step 1: Open the Recycling Bin and search for the deleted file by name, type, or date.

Step 2. Select the deleted file and right-click on any one of them.

Step 3: Click on "Recover" to restore the deleted files in Windows 7.

Method 2: Restore Deleted Files in Windows 7 Using a Backup

To recover deleted files from a backup on a Windows system, make sure you had the Windows Backup feature enabled beforehand. Follow these steps to restore deleted files from a backup: 1. Click the "Start" button and then select "Control Panel." 2. In the Control Panel, find and click on "System and Security." 3. In the System and Security window, click on "Backup and Restore." 4. If you have set up a backup previously, you will see the options "Restore my files" or "Restore all users' files." Choose the option that suits your needs. 5. In the next window, you can browse or search for the file you want to restore. Select the file and then click the "Restore" button. 6. Choose where to restore the file. You can select the original location (if the file has been overwritten, it might not be recoverable) or a custom alternate location. 7. Confirm your selection and then click "Restore" to start the recovery process. 8. Wait for the recovery process to complete. This may take some time, depending on the size of the file. Please note that if you didn't have backups enabled or the deleted file is not included in the backup, you won't be able to recover the file using this method. In such cases, you can try using data recovery software or other methods to attempt to restore the file.

Step 1: Click the "Start" button and choose "Control Panel."

Step 2: Go to “System and Maintenance,” and then choose “Backup and Restore.”

Step 3. Next, select "Recover my files" and follow the wizard to recover and save your files.

Method 3: Recover Deleted Files from a Previous Version of Windows 7

If you used Windows Backup or System Restore points, you can recover deleted files and folders from previous versions.

Overall Experience

There are several ways to recover deleted files from a Windows 7 computer. The most effective method is to use data recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard. This powerful file recovery program can retrieve deleted files from the Recycle Bin, formatted hard drives, external storage devices, lost partitions, and system crashes.

This is something that Windows tools cannot do. With only basic Windows recovery utilities, you might be able to restore deleted files only from a previous version or backup if you had Windows Backup enabled. Besides, built-in Windows utilities won't help you recover deleted data from a USB flash drive. Hence, if you've suffered permanent data loss, download free data recovery software to retrieve your files quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Restoring Deleted Files in Windows 7

Learn more about recovering deleted or permanently deleted files in Windows 7.

Where do deleted files go in Windows 7?

In Windows 7, files you delete go into the Recycle Bin, where they remain for a while before being permanently removed. If you delete an item using Shift+Delete, it's gone immediately.

The most effective way to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 7 is by using a powerful file recovery software like tools Data Recovery Wizard. This data recovery tool can help you restore various types of files, including photos, videos, documents, emails, and more.

Can permanently deleted files be recovered?

Yes, you can recover permanently deleted files in several ways. For instance, by using one of the best data recovery software options, restoring from a backup, or recovering from a previous version of the file.

How can I recover deleted files in Windows 7 without software?

Steps to recover deleted files without software in Windows 7 are as follows: 1. **Cease Computer Usage**: As soon as you realize a file has been deleted, immediately stop any write operations on the hard drive. New data might overwrite the deleted file. 2. **Check the Recycle Bin**: Most often, deleted files are moved to the Recycle Bin. Open it, locate your file, right-click on it, and select "Restore." 3. **Use File History**: If you had enabled File History previously, you can find it in Control Panel and choose a restore point to recover your file. 4. **System Restore**: If the file was lost after a system update or new software installation, try performing a System Restore to a point when the file was still present. Access this through "Control Panel" > "System" > "System Protection" and then click "System Restore." 5. **Check Backups**: If you have regular backups, you can recover the file from there. This could include external hard drives, network backups, or Windows' built-in backup utility. 6. **Show Hidden Files and Folders**: Sometimes, files might not be truly deleted but merely set to hidden. Enable the display of hidden files and folders in "Folder Options" to see if the file is there. Please note that if none of these methods work, you might need professional data recovery software to attempt retrieving the deleted file.

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Select the files or folders you want to recover.

Step 3: Right-click the file and select "Restore."

How can I recover permanently deleted files from my Windows 7 computer?

You can recover permanently deleted files from a Windows 7 computer using "Previous Versions." Right-click the folder that previously contained the missing file, and select "Restore Previous Versions." A list of available previous versions of the file or folder will appear. Select a previous version, and click "Open" to preview it. Once you've confirmed that it's the correct version, click "Restore."