Comprehensive Guide: Recovering Deleted Files

Most people have deleted a file they later regret at least once in their lives. It could have been an important document, a cute wedding video, or anything else you can't afford to lose. So, why does this tragedy happen? How do you accidentally or intentionally delete data, and how do you recover lost files? This guide on recovering deleted files will answer those questions.

How to Delete a File on Your Computer

Yet most people operate under the false assumption that data loss cannot happen to them, or that it is someone else's problem. But did you know that your everyday actions – things you may not even think twice about – can put your data at risk?

Deleting a file removes it from its location. You might have deleted a file intentionally or by mistake. There are several ways to delete a file on your computer. The most common is to right-click the file and choose "Delete," or press the "Delete" key on your keyboard. You can also delete multiple files at once.

If you want to permanently delete a file without the option of recovery, you can do so by pressing Shift + Delete keys together. You can also use the 'del' command in CMD to get rid of a file. Alternatively, you can use third-party file deletion tools to remove files permanently.

Where Do Deleted Files Go in Windows 10/11?

When you delete a file from a PC or laptop running Windows 10 or Windows 11, where does it go? You can find out from this article.

In Windows, using the Delete key on files through File Explorer sends them to the Recycle Bin, which is usually located on your desktop. However, if you delete files by emptying the Recycle Bin or using the Shift + Delete keyboard shortcut, the files are permanently deleted and can no longer be visually found on your computer.

Can deleted files be recovered from Windows 10?

If you only deleted the files normally, they're still in the Trash or Recently Deleted folder, and recovery is simple. Just open the Trash, find the target file, and restore it to its original location.

Can a permanently deleted file be recovered? When Windows or another operating system deletes a file (for instance, by emptying the Recycle Bin), it doesn't immediately remove all of the file's data from the hard drive. It simply marks the location of the file on the disk as deleted. This way, when the disk space is needed to store other data, it can be written directly to those locations without preserving the original data.

Thus, when a file is deleted, its data actually remains on the disk as long as the space it occupied has not been written over by new data. In such cases, advanced data recovery techniques can be employed to directly read the data from the disk that has been marked as "deleted" and restore it to a specified directory.

Please check the solutions to recover deleted files from Windows 10 below.

• Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11/10 Without Software
• Restore Permanently Deleted Files on Windows with File Recovery Software
• Retrieve Deleted Files via Professional Recovery Services
• Restore Permanently Deleted Files of Various Formats
• Recover Deleted Files from Multiple Devices

How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11/10 Without Software

There are several different methods to recover deleted or permanently deleted files in Windows 10/11. Our team has prepared a handy guide walking you through the entire process of performing Windows 10 file recovery without using software, helping you go from beginner to expert.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from the Recycling Bin

When files you delete from your computer aren't permanently removed, you can easily restore them from the Recycle Bin. To restore a file from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1: Locate the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and open it.

Step 2: Look for the file you want to restore. If you want to restore everything, select Restore All Items.

Step 3. Alternatively, select a file you need and click "Restore." This will restore the file to its original location.

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Users have reported that they are unable to find their deleted files in the Recycle Bin, even when they didn't permanently delete them. Why are my deleted files not in the Recycle Bin? There could be three reasons for this issue.

• The system automatically removes deleted files that have been stored in the Recycle Bin for too long.
• The file was too large, causing it to bypass the Recycle Bin and be permanently deleted.
• Additionally, the Recycle Bin might be full, not allowing any more temporarily deleted files to be saved.

Learn more about how to recover deleted files not in the Recycle Bin.

Method 2: Restore Deleted Files from a Backup

If you have a recent backup, restoring deleted files can be easy. Windows 10 automatically creates a File History backup of your files, and you can use that backup to restore your deleted files without any software.

To access and restore deleted files from File History:

Step 1: Type File History in the search box, and then click Restore your files with File History.

Step 2. In the File History window, locate and preview the deleted files you need to restore.

Step 3: Select the files you wish to recover, click on the gear icon on the top-right corner of the window, then choose “Recover To” to save the files to a custom location.

Restore deleted files from previous versions

To restore deleted files from an earlier version, you need to:

Step 1: Open “This PC” or “My Computer.” Navigate to the folder that previously contained the file or files you want to restore.

Step 2: Right-click, and then select Previous versions. Windows displays a list of previous versions of the file that were created by using Windows Backup or saved as restore points.

3. Double-click on the previous version of the file that you want to restore. Drag the file to a new storage location to save and make it available for further use.

Restore deleted files on Windows using file recovery software

Using a file recovery tool is the most effective method for recovering deleted files. You can easily restore permanently deleted files even without a backup. Tools like the Data Recovery Wizard scan your hard drive for traces of deleted files and attempt to recover them. In many cases, these file recovery software programs are successful in restoring deleted files. Some benefits of using such software include:

• Recovers deleted files from various storage devices, including SD/memory cards, USB flash drives, HDDs, SSDs, and more.
• Restores lost or deleted files, photos, videos, documents, and more.
• Recovers data lost due to accidental deletion or formatting.
• Data recovery from computers compromised by viruses or other malware.
• Offers a preview feature that lets you view recoverable files before starting the recovery process.

Download the data recovery software for free from our website. Install the software and launch it. Then follow the steps below to recover your deleted files on your Windows computer. If your file is not larger than 2GB, you can use the free data recovery software to retrieve it for free.

Step 1. Select a specific hard drive or location.

Choose the drive or partition where you deleted the files. You can also select a specific location to scan, such as the Recycling Bin, Desktop, or a folder. Then, click the "Scan" button to begin searching for files.

Step 2. Start a quick or deep scan to recover lost data.

The time it takes for the scan depends on the size of your files and the health condition of the disk. Once the scan is complete, you can view the detailed results and filter files by type.

Step 3. Preview and recover the desired files.

You can verify if the scanned files are the ones you want. Then, click the "Recover" button to save the retrieved files.

Utilize professional data recovery services to retrieve deleted files

If all else fails – though this is unlikely – you can turn to a professional data-recovery service. Of course, such services do not come cheap, but, if everything else has failed, it may be your best option.

If you're considering using a professional data recovery service, follow these steps:

1. Search for a reputable data recovery service on Google, or opt for one with excellent reviews. We recommend utilizing the Data Recovery Service as a reliable solution. 2. Follow the expert's guidelines to inspect your device after selecting the service. 3. Schedule a remote connection session to commence a free diagnosis. 4. Complete the financial transaction with the data recovery service to have them proceed with restoring your files. 5. Inspect your device and resume using your recovered files.

Most of us have been there – you delete a file and then later realize you needed it. It could be an important document, a precious wedding video, or anything else you can't afford to lose. Fortunately, in Windows 10, you can usually recover deleted files.

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Recover Permanently Deleted Files with the Windows File Recovery Tool

Here, we will show you how to use Windows File Recovery to restore deleted files. Windows File Recovery is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to recover deleted photos from a computer's hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or portable storage device, lost Word documents, Excel files, or other missing or deleted files. To use Windows File Recovery, users must have a Windows account and sign in with a Microsoft account.

Follow these steps to use this free tool to recover deleted files on Windows 10:

Step 1: Download and launch the Windows File Recovery tool from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Type “Windows File Recovery” in the search box, and then select “Windows File Recovery.”

Step 3. Type the correct command in the Command Prompt window to restore your lost file.

Default mode example - Restores a specific file from the C: drive to a Recovery folder on the E: drive.

This command is using the Windows File Recovery tool (WinFR) to attempt to restore a file from drive C to drive E. The "/n" parameter indicates that a new directory structure should be created to save the recovered files. "\Users\Documents\QuarterlyStatement.docx" is the specific path of the document you are trying to recover. Please note that you should adjust the paths and parameters according to your actual situation.

Sector-by-sector mode example (/r) – Recovers PDF and Word files from the C: drive to a Recovery folder on the E: drive.

This command translates to: "winfr C: E: /r /n *.pdf /n *.docx" in English, which means "Use the Windows File Recovery tool (WinFR) to restore from drive C to drive E, recursively searching and recovering all .pdf and .docx files."

Signature mode example (/x) - It can be helpful to check for supported extension groups and corresponding file types when using signature mode.

Information /#

4. When prompted to confirm whether you want to proceed, type Y to begin the restore operation.

For more help, get the full guide to using the Windows File Recovery tool to restore deleted files.

Recover Deleted Files from Multiple Devices

Portable devices and cloud storage are popular ways to keep various files. However, accidental deletion of files from these storage mediums is quite common. We have provided detailed tutorials on how to recover deleted files from SD cards, USB flash drives, external hard drives, and cloud storage.

Recover Deleted Files from SD Card

SD cards are commonly used in digital cameras to store pictures and photos. You may accidentally delete them from the SD card before transferring the files to long-term storage. The best way to recover deleted data from an SD card used in a camera or phone is by using an SD card recovery tool. To recover deleted files from an SD card, follow these steps.

Step 1: Connect the SD card to your computer using an SD card reader.

Step 2: Wait for your computer to recognize the SD card.

Step 3. Launch the SD card recovery software on your Windows PC.

Step 4. Recover deleted files from the SD card using a data recovery software.

Recover Deleted Files from USB Drive (External Disk)

If you have a reliable data recovery solution, recovering deleted files from a USB flash drive or external hard drive is not rocket science. Below are the best methods to recover deleted files from a USB drive.

Step 1: Connect the USB flash drive to your computer.

Step 2: Wait for your computer to recognize the USB drive.

Step 3. Launch the USB drive recovery software on your computer.

Step 4: Use Flash Drive Recovery software to restore deleted files from USB drive.

Restore Deleted Files from Google Drive

More and more people are choosing to store their data on cloud-based services instead of traditional mediums. When you delete a file or folder from Google Drive, it goes into the Trash, where it's kept for 30 days by default. After this time frame, the cloud storage servers permanently remove the files, making it impossible to retrieve the ones you need.

To recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive, you can try reaching out to the Google support team, who might be able to restore your deleted files. If not, you can recover lost data from a backup or search for locally saved files or folders. For instance, if you deleted a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide, you can restore them from the support center.

Step 1: Go to drive.google.com, click the "?" icon in the circle, and then click "Help."

Step 2: Click “Send Feedback” from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Describe your issue in the designated area, and attach a screenshot if needed. Then, click “Send.”

If a deleted Google Docs file was removed more than 30 days ago, or you permanently deleted it from the trash (emptied the trash), it can't be recovered.

Similarly, if the pictures have been deleted for over 60 days or permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin (by emptying it), they can't be recovered. However, if you've backed up these photos with Google Photos, you can recover them from there. If you're a OneDrive user, you can recover permanently deleted files from OneDrive. Since Microsoft stores your files on your local drive, the process will be slightly different.

How to Recover Deleted Files on Mac (100% Working)

If you are a Mac user, can you recover deleted file from Mac Trash? Similar to Windows, the files you delete on Mac are usually moved to the Trash and stay there for some time. The first thing you should do is check the Trash on your Mac. If the file was deleted accidentally, it might still be in the Trash. You can easily recover files from Mac Trash with simple steps. If the file is not in the Trash, there are still several options for permanent Mac file recovery.

1. Use a time machine

"Time Machine" is the built-in backup feature of a Mac, which keeps backups of your files for a period of time, so you may be able to recover a deleted file from a previous backup.

2. Run the Mac data recovery software

These Mac data recovery tools scan your hard drive for deleted files and try to restore them.

3. Recover Deleted Files from Mac via Terminal

Lastly, you can use the Terminal to recover deleted files on a Mac.

How to Recover Deleted Files on iPhone and Android

With much less storage space than a computer, mobile devices require frequent file deletion to keep their memory clear. On both iPhones and Androids, deleted files first go into a Recently Deleted folder, from which they are permanently erased after 30 days. Here is a complete guide to recovering deleted files on your mobile device.

Windows 10 File/Data Protection Prompt

In today's digital world, data is one of the most valuable commodities. Whether personal, financial, or confidential business information, it is a precious asset that needs protection. This is why data protection is crucial. Besides, it is much easier to protect data than to recover it. There are numerous ways to safeguard your data and prevent loss.

• Backup your data in multiple locations.
• Avoid opening suspicious emails or attachments.
• Keep your antivirus software up to date.
• Don't delete unknown files, especially system files.
• If your computer overheats, open it up and clean it.

Following these guidelines and tips can help ensure that your data remains safe.

Conclusions

In summary, recovering deleted files can be a challenging and time-consuming process. However, with the right tools and some patience, lost data is often retrievable. For critical information, it's best to have a backup plan in place to avoid costly and frustrating recovery attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recovering Deleted Files

If you still have questions about how to recover deleted files, contact us or review the following FAQ for more help.

**How to recover deleted files on Windows 11?**

Steps to recover deleted files on Windows 11: 1. **检查回收站**： - 首先，打开桌面上的“回收站”图标。 - 在回收站中浏览查找你删除的文件。 - 找到文件后，右键点击并选择“还原”。 2. **使用文件历史**（如果你之前已启用）： - 确保你已连接了备份的外部硬盘。 - 按下`Win + E`打开文件资源管理器。 - 点击左侧面板的“查看”选项，然后勾选“隐藏的项目”。 - 转到你原来保存文件的位置。 - 右键点击空白区域，选择“恢复以前的版本”。 - 在弹出的窗口中，选择一个时间点，然后点击“恢复”。 3. **使用数据恢复软件**（如果以上方法无效）： - 下载并安装一款可靠的数据恢复软件，如Recuva、tools Data Recovery Wizard等。 - 安装完成后，运行软件。 - 选择你想要恢复文件的位置，然后点击“扫描”。 - 软件会搜索已删除的文件。等待扫描完成。 - 从扫描结果中找到你需要的文件，选中它，然后点击“恢复”。 - 将文件保存到另一个安全的位置，避免覆盖其他数据。 请注意，数据恢复并不总是保证成功，尤其是如果文件已被新数据覆盖。因此，定期备份你的文件是非常重要的。

1. Download, install, and launch the data recovery software. 2. Select the disk or partition where the lost files were located on your Windows 11 system. 3. Click the "Scan" button to initiate the search for deleted files on your computer. 4. Preview and select the deleted files you wish to recover. 5. Click the "Restore" button to retrieve the deleted files on Windows 11.

2. How can I recover a deleted file that's not in the Recycle Bin?

Restore deleted files that are not in the Recycle Bin:

1. Select the exact file location, then click on the "Scan" button to proceed. 2. After the scan is complete, you can use the "Filter" feature or click on the "Search for files or folders" button to locate the deleted files. 3. Click on the "Recover" button to save the recovered files to a desired location. They should be different from the original files.

3. How to recover permanently deleted files?

There are at least three methods to recover permanently deleted files. Most of the solutions are mentioned in this article. You can choose the appropriate one based on your data loss situation.

Tool Data Recovery software stands out for its efficiency in retrieving data from hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, SD cards, memory cards, and more.

4. How can I recover permanently deleted files without a backup?

Steps to recover deleted files without a backup (UTF-8 encoded): 1. **停止使用设备**: 一旦发现文件被删除，立即停止在该设备上进行任何写入操作。新的数据可能会覆盖已删除文件的部分或全部内容。 2. **获取数据恢复软件**: 有许多免费和付费的数据恢复工具可供选择，如Recuva、tools Data Recovery Wizard、Disk Drill等。确保选择一个信誉良好的软件。 3. **下载并安装软件**: 访问软件官网，下载并按照指示安装到你的设备上。 4. **启动数据恢复程序**: 运行你刚刚安装的数据恢复软件。通常，它会自动检测到需要扫描的驱动器。 5. **选择要扫描的分区**: 在软件界面中，选择包含已删除文件的硬盘分区。 6. **开始扫描**: 点击“扫描”或类似按钮，让软件搜索已删除的文件。这可能需要一些时间，取决于硬盘大小和文件数量。 7. **预览和恢复文件**: 扫描完成后，软件会列出找到的文件。浏览这些文件，找到你要恢复的文件，然后选择“恢复”或“保存”。注意，不要将文件恢复到同一分区，以免覆盖其他数据。 8. **检查恢复的文件**: 恢复后，立即检查文件的完整性。如果文件损坏或无法打开，可能需要尝试其他数据恢复方法或专业服务。 请注意，没有备份的情况下恢复删除文件并不总是成功，特别是如果文件已被部分或完全覆盖。因此，定期备份重要文件至关重要。

1. Download, install, and launch the Data Recovery Wizard tool. 2. Select the file location, then click on the "Scan" button. 3. After the scan is complete, use the "Filter" feature to locate the deleted files. 4. Click on the "Recover" button to save the recovered files.

< strong > 5. Where do files go when you delete them in Windows 10?

Normally, when you delete a file or folder, it's moved to the Recycle Bin on Windows 10. The item remains there indefinitely, allowing you to restore deleted items long after you've removed them.

If you have already emptied the Recycle Bin, the deleted files remain on the hard drive and can only be recovered with hard drive data recovery software.

6. Will the deleted files be gone forever?

The answer is no. When you click “delete,” your files are moved to the recycle bin. This does not mean that they have been permanently deleted; they have simply been moved to a different location, a folder called the “recycle bin.”

7. Can Windows 10 recover deleted files?

Yes, Windows includes an automatic backup feature called "File History." To restore deleted files in Windows 10 using this feature:

1. Launch Windows Explorer, then right-click on the folder where the deleted file was located. 2. Select "Restore previous versions." 3. Choose the most suitable file history backup, and click "Open" to preview its contents. 4. Check the box next to the file you want to recover, and then click "Restore..."

8. How to recover deleted files from OneDrive?

OneDrive includes a Recycle Bin feature where you can recover deleted files. Here's how:

1. Go to the OneDrive website or open the OneDrive icon on your computer. 2. Sign in using your username and password. 3. In the navigation panel, select "Recycle Bin." 4. Check the box next to the files you want to restore. 5. Click "Restore" to recover your lost OneDrive files.