How to Recover AEP Files | Restore Deleted and Unsaved After Effects Projects

Adobe's After Effects software uses AEP files, typically referred to as the After Effects Project file format. An AEP file uses this extension to store files for video production projects.

If your After Effects project file has been deleted or not saved, you can use specialized data recovery software and other built-in tools within the program to retrieve the AEP file.

How to Recover Deleted After-Effects Project Files

When you accidentally delete crucial AEP files from your computer, you can easily recover them using the powerful Data Recovery Wizard tool. This effective permanently deleted file recovery software works on both Windows and macOS operating systems.

• It helps you recover over 200 types of lost files due to deletion, formatting, virus attacks, system crashes, or other unknown reasons.
• This data recovery tool can also restore deleted files from external hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, video players, music players, and more.

Download and install this green app right away.

Step 1: Select the location to scan

Select the specific device or drive from where you accidentally deleted files using Shift + Delete or emptied the Recycle Bin. Click on the “Scan” button to search for the lost files.

Step 2: Check the results

The software will automatically start scanning all contents on the selected drive. Upon completion, in the left panel, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders. Then, use the "Filter" feature or click the "Search File or Folder" button to quickly locate the deleted file.

Step 3: Recover the deleted files

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

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Recover Deleted AEP Files from Recycle Bin

If your AE project was lucky enough to have been sent to the Trash, you can easily locate it and restore it to its original location.

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.

Step 2. Look for the deleted AEP file you want to recover. You can search for it by inputting aep in the search bar at the top-right corner.

Step 3. Select the deleted AEP file, or press and hold the Control key to select multiple files.

Step 4. Right-click on the recovered file and select "Restore" to confirm and place the file back where it was.

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How to Recover an Unsaved After Effects Project

Adobe regularly updates its creative software and introduces new features to protect your data. If you have the Auto Save feature in Adobe After Effects turned on, it will save your AEP project from time to time. This is incredibly useful in case of an unexpected computer crash or power outage.

Step 2. You'll see options to save every 20 or 30 minutes. Choose one to prevent losing more work.

How to Recover Unsaved or Deleted PSD (Photoshop) Files in 2024

Don't worry if you lost your Photoshop file due to accidentally closing Photoshop, a Photoshop crash, or a sudden shutdown of your Windows computer.

Can I recover lost AEP project files?

Yes! It is entirely possible to recover an unsaved or corrupted After Effects project on Windows. If you've lost your work due to a program crash or simply forgot to save your After Effects project, there's no need to panic. Adobe After Effects has an Auto-Save feature that can help you restore unsaved After Effects project files.

If you delete or even remove an After Effects file from the Recycle Bin, it doesn't get permanently removed from the system. However, as long as you haven't overwritten it, you can easily retrieve AEP files using professional data recovery tools like Data Recovery Wizard.

In summary

Many After Effects users worry about losing their project files due to sudden system crashes, unintended or intentional deletion. You can recover deleted or unsaved After Effects project files using tools such as Data Recovery Wizard, Auto-Save feature, or the Windows Recycle Bin. Once you've restored the AEP files, you can continue editing or save them at a secure location.