How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 11 [Top 3 Methods]

Data loss on Windows 11 can occur due to various reasons, such as accidental deletion, system crashes, or virus attacks. Permanently losing essential files can be incredibly frustrating and stressful, as the Reddit user below is currently experiencing:

In this tutorial, we will discuss three methods and tools you can use to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11, along with some practical tips to help you prevent future data loss.

Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 11 Using File Recovery Software

Emptying the Recycle Bin doesn't necessarily mean your files are gone for good. Though it may seem that way, that's not entirely true. The most effective way to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 is by using the Data Recovery Wizard tool.

This data recovery tool can handle many situations, such as not only restoring deleted files but also retrieving them from partitions that have been accidentally formatted.

How can I recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 for free?

You can try using the Free Data Recovery Software to recover up to 2 GB of data for free on Windows 11. This software scans your drive using quick and deep scan algorithms to find your permanently deleted files and folders.

Step 1: Select the scan location

Select the specific device or drive from where you deleted the files using Shift+Delete or Empty Trash. Click on the “Scan” button to retrieve the lost files.

Step Two: 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 files or folders" button to quickly locate your deleted file.

Step 3: Recover the deleted file

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

Don't forget to share this powerful file-recovery software with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!

This is a video tutorial on how to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11. If you prefer not to read through text, you can gain information through the video.

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from an Early Version of Windows 11 If you accidentally deleted an important file in the Windows 11 operating system, you may still be able to recover it using the "Previous Versions" feature. This function allows you to access a backup of the file or folder at a specific point in time. Here's how: 1. **Navigate to the file location.** Open File Explorer and find the folder where the deleted file was originally stored. 2. **Right-click on the folder.** Click the right mouse button on the folder, then select "Properties." 3. **Select the "Previous Versions" tab.** In the Properties window that opens, you'll see a tab labeled "Previous Versions." Click on it. 4. **Browse and select the version to restore.** A list of available earlier versions of the file or folder will be displayed. These versions typically correspond to System Restore points created by your system. You can click on each date to preview them and locate the version that contains the deleted file. 5. **Restore the file.** Once you've found the correct version, click the "Restore" button. You can choose to restore the file back to its original location or select a different location to prevent overwriting other data. Please note that this method works only if you haven't emptied the Recycle Bin and there are available restore points on your system. If no previous versions are accessible, you might need to use professional data recovery software or seek professional assistance to attempt recovering the file.

The "Previous Versions" feature only works if you've used Windows 11 File History to back up your data or created a restore point before. Follow the steps in our guide on how to recover deleted files in Windows 11 for this option.

Right-click on the location where you saved the deleted file, and select “Restore previous versions.” You'll see a list of available previous versions of the deleted file or folder. If you have Windows Backup set up to back up your files, this list will also show saved files on the backup and available restore points.

Microsoft has the definitive guide to recovering lost or deleted files from earlier versions; see the details.

[[2]](#2) Recover Permanently Deleted Folders in Windows 11 Files with File History

This method only works if you had File History enabled before you permanently deleted the file or folder. File History is a built-in Windows 11 tool that allows you to restore previous versions of your files and folders. Here's how to recover a permanently deleted file from File History.

Step 1: Click the Search icon on the taskbar, type “Restore files,” and then click “Open.”

Step 2. Look for a folder containing the file's old address.

Step 3: You can preview the file by right-clicking on it.

Step 4: Finally, select the files and hit the “Recover” button. Your deleted files will be back to where they were.

Learn more: Where do permanently deleted files go in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, recently deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin. You can remove them by right-clicking and selecting "Delete." But that doesn't mean they're gone for good. To permanently delete a file, you need to not only click "Delete" but also click the "Empty Recycle Bin" button.

When you permanently delete a file on Windows 11 or empty the Recycle Bin, it removes the reference to the file. In other words, the deleted file is no longer readable by your computer, and you can't see it on the drive.

However, the deleted files remain on the hard drive, SD card, or USB flash drive until something else is saved in their place. Therefore, if you want to recover permanently deleted files, you must act fast. Once new data is stored in the same spot, the deleted files are lost for good. At that point, they're almost impossible to retrieve.

There are three proven ways to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11. You can efficiently undo permanent deletion in Windows 11 even if you have erased the files or folders using "Shift + Delete."

Additional Tip: How to Protect Your Data and Files in Windows 11

To prevent accidental deletion and unauthorized access, you need to learn how to protect your files and folders in Windows 11. The most straightforward way to safeguard a folder is by setting a password for it in Windows 11. This allows you to:

• Prevent data loss even when multiple people use the same account on a computer.
• Protect confidential or personal folders on your computer.
• Add an extra layer of security to your files by setting a password for folders.

Another way to protect your folders is by creating a file backup in Windows 11. You can restore your data from the backup in case you lose it, no matter the reason.

Conclusions

If you accidentally delete files and folders from a Windows computer, you can restore them from the Recycle Bin folder. However, if you permanently delete them, the files and folders are not recoverable from the Recycle Bin. In this article, we introduce you to how to recover files after permanent deletion.

Data recovery software is recommended, as it allows you to retrieve various types of data even if you lack technical knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restoring Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 11

Here are some common questions and brief answers about recovering permanently deleted files in Windows 11:

Can deleted files be recovered permanently?

Yes, you can recover a file that has been permanently deleted if you take the right steps. First, avoid using your device once the data is erased. Next, promptly use a professional file recovery software to retrieve the file.

How can I recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 using the Command Prompt?

You can try using the "chkdsk" command in Command Prompt to check the file system of the selected drive. After fixing the file system, you should be able to access the device and recover permanently deleted files from Windows 11 using CMD.

How to recover permanently deleted folders in Windows 11: 1. **Recycle Bin**: - Firstly, check the Recycle Bin. Most deleted files and folders are moved there after deletion. - Open the Recycle Bin, locate the folder you want to restore, right-click on it, and select "Restore." 2. **Backup**: - If you have regular system backups, you can restore the folder through the backup. Do this by using the "Backup and Restore" option in the "Control Panel" or "Settings." 3. **Data Recovery Software**: - Use third-party data recovery software like tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Disk Drill. These tools scan your hard drive for deleted files and folders. - Download and install the software, follow the on-screen instructions, select the drive to scan, and search for the deleted folder. Once found, choose to recover it. 4. **System Restore Point**: - If you created a System Restore point before deleting the folder, you can revert to that point through the "Recovery" option in "Control Panel" or "Settings." - Note: This will undo all changes made since the creation of the restore point and may affect other files and settings. 5. **File History** (if enabled): - If File History is turned on, you can recover the folder under "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup." - Connect an external drive, then choose to recover the required folder from File History. 6. **Professional Data Recovery Services**: - If all else fails, consider professional data recovery services. They might be able to retrieve the deleted folder using advanced techniques, but this can be more expensive. Keep in mind that recovering deleted folders isn't always possible, especially if the files have been overwritten or the hard drive is damaged. Regularly backing up your data is the best strategy to prevent loss.

If you have a backup of the folder, you can restore it from there. Or, you can try using a data recovery tool like data recovery software to scan for recoverable data on your HDD/SSD/USB/SD card. Then, preview and restore the permanently deleted folder with ease.

How can I recover permanently deleted videos from my Windows 11 laptop?

You can attempt to recover deleted videos from your laptop running Windows 11 using data recovery software, such as Data Recovery Wizard. This tool scans your disk to find any recoverable files and attempts to restore them. It's important to note that the likelihood of successfully recovering deleted videos decreases over time as new files may overwrite the space they occupied.