How to recover deleted files on Windows

Accidentally deleting a file or folder on your computer is more common than you might think. System crashes, malicious attacks, and unintended formatting can also wipe out your data. So, how do you get that all-important file back? 

Understanding the reason for the data loss will help you select the right fix. The main causes are human error, Windows updates and resets, hardware failure, sync issues, malware and ransomware. So, let’s take a look at four ways you can recover deleted files on Windows. 

How to find and recover deleted files

1. Undo the delete 

If the deletion happened just moments ago and you haven’t done much since, this is the quickest fix.

Click into the File Explorer window where the file used to be and press Ctrl + Z. That’s the universal undo shortcut, and it works for file operations just as it does in Word or Excel. You can also right-click in any empty space inside the folder and choose Undo Delete from the context menu.

This only works for very recent actions and won’t survive a restart, but it’s so quick we always suggest trying this first.

2. Check the recycle bin 

It might sound obvious, but if you haven’t emptied your recycling bin in a while and it’s been less than 30 days, there’s a good chance your missing file is in there! Make this your first port of call before you do anything else. 

Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop or press the Windows key and type ‘Recycle Bin’ and open.

You can then sort by ‘Date deleted’. Right-click in the window, select ‘Sort by’ then ‘Date deleted’. When you find the file(s), right-click it and choose the ‘Restore’ option. Windows will then return the file to its original folder.

3. Use the File recovery tool 

If you don’t have a backed-up version of your file and it’s not in the recycling bin, the next best option is Windows File Recovery. This free tool can restore deleted files on Windows 11. It is a command-line tool you can download from the Microsoft Store for free. A command-line app uses written instructions via your computer’s command prompt. 

There are two primary modes for finding and recovering deleted files: regular and extensive search mode.

Regular search mode 

• Regular search mode in Windows File Recovery is the default search mode.
• This mode is suitable for situations where you’ve recently deleted a file and need to recover it quickly.
• It’s typically faster than extensive search mode because it focuses on recently deleted files and doesn’t delve deeply into the disk’s entire content.

Extensive search mode 

• Extensive search mode, on the other hand, is a deeper and more thorough search option.
• This mode is useful when you need to recover files that were deleted some time ago or when regular search mode doesn’t find the files you’re looking for.
• It takes longer than regular search mode because it examines every sector of the disk to locate deleted file fragments.

NOTE: Windows File Recovery doesn’t support recovery from cloud storage or network shares.  

4. Data recovery service 

If recovering your lost file is critical and all other attempts have failed, your only remaining option is hiring an expert. 

Using a data recovery service gives you a much better chance of successful recovery. These experts have access to specialised tools and a wealth of experience across different platforms. 

The key takeaway on file recovery 

It might be a cliché, but the old saying “prevention is better than the cure” is crucial in file recovery. Start backing up your files today, and you never need to worry about file recovery again.

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How to turn on Windows Backup on Windows 11

Windows Backup is a built-in tool for creating copies of your files and system settings. These backups can be used to restore your files if they are lost, accidentally deleted, or corrupted.

Here’s how to turn on this feature:

1. Open Windows Backup (search for Backup in the Windows search bar). It might ask you to sign in to your Microsoft account. 
2. Select ‘Folders’, then pick the ones you’d like to back up.
3. You can do the same for apps, settings, and credentials. 
4. Confirm by pressing ‘backup’.  

You get 5GB of free data with your Microsoft account, but you can buy more or download your data to an external storage device. 

For more Office 365 services, contact the friendly team at CloudTech24.