How Can I Recover a Deleted File on Windows 10?

 Losing important files can be a distressing experience, especially when those files are critical for work or personal projects.

Fortunately, Windows 10 offers several methods to recover deleted files, ranging from built-in features to third-party software.

This article will walk you through various techniques to help you recover deleted files on Windows 10.

1. Understanding File Deletion on Windows 10

When you delete a file on Windows 10, it typically moves to the Recycle Bin.

From there, you can easily restore it if you haven't emptied the Recycle Bin yet.

However, if you have emptied the Recycle Bin or if the file was deleted using Shift + Delete, you’ll need to employ other recovery methods.

2. Check the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is the first place to check for deleted files. Here's how to recover files from the Recycle Bin

Open the Recycle Bin

Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Locate the Deleted File

Browse through the list of deleted files or use the search bar to find the specific file.

Restore the File

Right-click the file you want to recover and select Restore. The file will be restored to its original location.

If you can’t find your file in the Recycle Bin, or if it has been emptied, proceed to the next methods.

3. Use File History

File History is a built-in backup tool in Windows 10 that automatically backs up your files to an external drive or network location. To recover a deleted file using File History

Connect the Backup Drive

Ensure that the external drive or network location where File History backups are stored is connected.

Open File History

Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.

Restore Personal Files

Click on Restore personal files on the left side of the File History window.

Browse and Restore

Navigate through the backup to find the file you want to recover. Select the file and click the green Restore button.

If you haven’t enabled File History previously, this method won’t be applicable. In such cases, consider setting up File History for future backups.

4. Recover Files from a Previous Version

Windows 10 has a feature that allows you to restore files from previous versions if you have System Protection enabled.

This feature can be particularly useful if you want to recover files that were deleted or modified.

Open File Explorer

Right-click on the folder that previously contained the deleted file.

Select Properties

Click on Properties from the context menu.

Go to Previous Versions Tab Switch to the Previous Versions tab.

Choose a Version

Browse through the available previous versions of the folder. Select the version that contains the deleted file and click Open.

Restore the File

Locate the file within the previous version and copy it to your desired location.

This method relies on having System Protection enabled and available restore points.

5. Use Windows Backup and Restore

If you have configured Windows Backup and Restore, you can use it to recover deleted files. Here’s how

Open Backup and Restore

Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Restore My Files

Click on Restore my files.

Browse for Files

Follow the prompts to search for the deleted file within your backup.

Recover the File

Select the file you want to restore and follow the instructions to recover it.

This method is useful if you’ve been regularly backing up your data.

6. Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software

If the above methods don’t work, or if you didn’t have backups set up, you can use third-party data recovery software. These tools can scan your drive for deleted files and attempt to recover them. Popular options include

Recuva

A user-friendly recovery tool with both free and paid versions. It offers a quick and deep scan mode.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

A comprehensive tool with powerful scanning options and an easy-to-navigate interface.

Disk Drill

Provides advanced data recovery features and supports a variety of file formats.

To use third-party data recovery software

Download and Install

Download and install the data recovery software on your computer. Avoid installing it on the same drive where the deleted files were located to prevent overwriting.

Run the Software

Open the data recovery software and select the drive where the files were deleted.

Scan the Drive

Perform a scan (quick or deep) to find recoverable files.

Recover Files

Once the scan is complete, browse through the list of recoverable files, select the ones you wish to restore, and follow the software’s instructions to recover them.

7. Prevent Future Data Loss

Preventing data loss is crucial. Here are some best practices to ensure your files are safe

Enable File History

Set up File History to automatically back up your files.

Use Cloud Storage

Services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox can automatically sync and back up your important files.

Regular Backups

Regularly back up your data to an external drive or network storage.

Avoid Accidental Deletion

Be cautious when deleting files and regularly review your Recycle Bin.

Final Thought

Recovering a deleted file on Windows 10 can be a straightforward process if you use the right tools and techniques.

Whether the file was recently deleted and still in the Recycle Bin, or if it requires advanced recovery methods, there are several options available to help you retrieve your lost data.

By understanding the built-in features of Windows 10 and leveraging third-party recovery tools, you can effectively handle accidental deletions and safeguard your important files.

In the future, setting up regular backups and using cloud storage solutions can significantly reduce the risk of data loss and make file recovery a hassle-free experience.

Edited by Prashant Kumar

This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact on this email address - prashantku36@gmail.com