How to Recover Deleted Files Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

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Welcome to the world of computer technology, where deleting a file accidentally is a common mistake that everyone has experienced. However, the good news is that recovering deleted files in Windows 10 is easier than you might think. Whether it’s an important document, a precious photo, or an essential video, the data can be recovered with the right tools and techniques. In this article, we will guide you on how to recover deleted files in Windows 10 in 12 easy steps. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the first step.

Step 1: Stop Using the Affected Drive

The first and most important thing you must do after deleting a file accidentally is to stop using the affected drive. This is because the more you use the drive, the lower the chances of recovering the deleted file. When you delete a file in Windows 10, the data is not permanently removed from the hard drive. Instead, the space previously occupied by the file is marked as available to be overwritten by new data. Therefore, continued use of the hard drive may overwrite the deleted file, making it impossible to recover.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. If you have accidentally deleted a file, do not download or install any new software on your computer to avoid overwriting the deleted file.
  2. Immediately turn off your computer or unplug the drive if it’s an external one to prevent further data loss.
  3. Use an alternate storage device to download the recovery software.

Step 2: Check the Recycle Bin

The first place to look for deleted files in Windows 10 is the Recycle Bin. This is a temporary storage area for deleted files that allows you to recover them if you change your mind. To check for deleted files in the Recycle Bin:

  1. Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
  2. Look for the deleted file or files you want to recover.
  3. Right-click on the file, then click on “Restore.”

If the deleted file is not in the Recycle Bin, don’t worry. There are still many ways to recover it.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Set your Recycle Bin properties to show hidden files, so you can find any lost files.
  2. Regularly clean up your Recycle Bin to avoid clutter and confusion when looking for deleted files.

Step 3: Check for Backups

If you regularly create backups of your files, you may be able to recover the deleted file from your backup repository. Windows 10 has a built-in backup utility called File History that allows you to automatically back up your files to an external drive or a network location. To check for backups in Windows 10:

  1. Click on the Start menu button, then type “Control Panel.”
  2. Click on “Control Panel,” then click on “Backup and Restore.”
  3. Click on “Restore my files,” then follow the prompts to recover your deleted file.

If you don’t have a backup of the deleted file, don’t worry. There are still many ways to recover it.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Set up a regular schedule to create backups of your files to prevent data loss from accidental deletion, system crashes, or hardware failures.
  2. Store your backup files on an external hard drive, cloud storage service, or other secure locations to prevent data loss due to theft or loss of the primary storage device.

Step 4: Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool

If the deleted file is not in the Recycle Bin or backups, you can use third-party data recovery software to recover the file. Many data recovery tools are available that can scan your hard drive, memory card, or USB device to recover deleted files. Some popular data recovery tools for Windows 10 are EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Data Recovery, and Recuva. To use a third-party data recovery tool:

  1. Download the software from a trusted source and install it on your computer.
  2. Run the software, select the drive where you deleted the file, and click on “Scan.”
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then select the file or files you want to recover.
  4. Click on “Recover,” then choose a destination folder to save the recovered file.

Keep in mind that using a third-party data recovery tool does not guarantee a 100% recovery rate. The success of file recovery depends on several factors, such as the age of the file, the type of storage device, and the frequency of use.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Always read the user reviews and ratings of the data recovery software before downloading and installing it.
  2. Do not install the data recovery software on the drive where you lost the data as it may overwrite the deleted file.

Step 5: Use the Command Prompt

If you are comfortable with using the Command Prompt, you can recover deleted files in Windows 10 using some simple commands. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Command Prompt by typing “cmd” in the search box, then click on “Command Prompt” to open it.
  2. Type “chkdsk X: /f” (without quotes), where “X” is the drive letter of the affected drive.
  3. Press “Enter” to run the command.
  4. Type “Y” when prompted to schedule a disk check at the next system restart.
  5. Restart your computer, then wait for the disk check to complete.
  6. Type “ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D X:\*.*” (without quotes), where “X” is the drive letter of the affected drive.
  7. Press “Enter” to execute the command.
  8. Type “DIR /S /A:H X:\*.\*” (without quotes), where “X” is the drive letter of the affected drive.
  9. Press “Enter” to list all the hidden files on the affected drive.
  10. Look for the deleted file, then type “COPY “source file location” “destination file location”” (without quotes), where “source file location” is the path of the deleted file, and “destination file location” is the path where you want to save the recovered file.

If you find this method complicated, don’t worry. There are still many ways to recover deleted files in Windows 10.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Make sure you run the Command Prompt as an Administrator account.
  2. Save the recovered file on a different drive from the one where the deleted file was located.

Step 6: Use System Restore

If you have enabled the System Restore feature in Windows 10, you may be able to recover the deleted file with a system restore point. System Restore creates periodic snapshots of your system settings, which you can use to restore your computer to an earlier version. To use System Restore:

  1. Click on the Start menu button, then type “System Restore.”
  2. Click on “Create a Restore Point.”
  3. Click on “System Restore,” then click on “Next.”
  4. Select the restore point you want to use, then click on “Next.”
  5. Follow the prompts to restore your system to the selected restore point.

Note that using System Restore may affect your computer settings, installed programs, and personal files. Therefore, use this method with caution and make sure you have a backup of your important files.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Regularly create restore points to prevent data loss due to system crashes, malware attacks, or other issues.
  2. System Restore does not affect your personal files, such as documents, photos, and videos, but it’s always better to create backups of your important files.

Step 7: Check the Previous Versions

If you have enabled the Previous Versions feature in Windows 10, you may be able to recover the deleted file from an earlier version. Previous Versions allow you to access previous versions of your files and folders, which you can use to recover the deleted file. To check for previous versions:

  1. Right-click on the folder or drive where the deleted file was located, then click on “Properties.”
  2. Click on the “Previous Versions” tab.
  3. Select the previous version of the folder or drive, then click on “Restore.”
  4. Follow the prompts to restore the previous version of the folder or drive.

Note that the Previous Versions feature is only available for certain editions of Windows 10, such as Professional, Enterprise, and Education.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Regularly enable the Previous Versions feature to prevent data loss from accidental deletion or corruption.
  2. Previous versions are not created automatically, so you must manually create them.

Step 8: Use a Live CD / USB

If the deleted file is located on the Windows 10 boot drive, you can use a Live CD or Live USB to recover the file. A Live CD or USB is a bootable media that allows you to run a Linux-based operating system and access your Windows files. Here’s how you can use a Live CD or USB:

  1. Download and burn a Linux-based Live CD or USB, such as Ubuntu or Knoppix.
  2. Boot your computer from the Live CD or USB.
  3. Access your Windows files from the Linux-based operating system.
  4. Copy the deleted file to an external drive or a different partition of your hard drive.

Note that this method requires some technical skills and familiarity with Linux-based operating systems. If you find this method complicated, there are still many ways to recover deleted files in Windows 10.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Choose a Live CD or USB that supports NTFS file system, which is the default file system for Windows 10.
  2. Do not install the Linux-based operating system on your hard drive as it may overwrite the deleted file.

Step 9: Check the Shadow Copies

Windows 10 creates Shadow Copies, also known as Volume Shadow Copies, which are snapshots of your disk at a specific point in time. You can use Shadow Copies to recover previous versions of your files, including deleted files. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Windows File Explorer.
  2. Right-click on the folder or drive where the deleted file was located, then click on “Properties.”
  3. Click on the “Previous Versions” tab.
  4. Select the previous version you want to restore, then click on “Open.”
  5. Find the deleted file, then copy it to a different location.

Note that Shadow Copies are only available if you have enabled the System Protection feature in Windows 10 and created a restore point. Also, Shadow Copies may not be available for external drives or network drives.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Regularly enable the System Protection feature to prevent data loss from accidental deletion, malware attacks, or hardware failures.
  2. Make sure you have enough disk space to store the Shadow Copies as they can consume a significant amount of disk space.

Step 10: Check the Cloud Backup

If you have enabled cloud backup for your files, you may be able to recover the deleted file from your cloud storage service. Many cloud storage services, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox, offer file version history, which allows you to recover previous versions of your files, including deleted files. Here’s how:

  1. Login to your cloud storage service.
  2. Find the folder or drive where the deleted file was located.
  3. Check the file version history for the deleted file.
  4. Select the previous version you want to restore, then click on “Download.”

Keep in mind that file version history may not be available for all files, and it may depend on your cloud storage service plan. Also, cloud backup may not be available for all files, especially if you didn’t enable it in the first place.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Regularly enable cloud backup for your important files to prevent data loss from accidental deletion, system crashes, or hardware failures.
  2. Choose a cloud storage service that offers file version history and has a good reputation for data security.

Step 11: Seek Professional Help

If you have tried all the above methods and still cannot recover the deleted file, or if the deleted file is of critical importance, you may need to seek professional help. There are many data recovery services available that can recover data from damaged or inaccessible drives. These services use specialized tools and techniques to recover data that ordinary users cannot access. However, professional data recovery services can be expensive, and there is no guarantee of a successful recovery.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Choose a reliable and reputable data recovery service that has a good reputation for data security and recovery rate.
  2. Ask for an estimate of the cost and time required for the data recovery service before committing to it.

Step 12: Prevent Data Loss in the Future

The best way to avoid data loss from accidental deletion is prevention. Here are some tips to prevent data loss in the future:

  1. Create regular backups of your important files and store them in a secure location.
  2. Use cloud backup or an external hard drive backup to ensure redundancy.
  3. Be careful when deleting files and make sure to confirm the action before proceeding.
  4. Use a reliable and updated antivirus software to prevent malware attacks.
  5. Regularly clean up your hard drive to remove unwanted files and free up disk space.

By following these tips, you can prevent data loss from accidental deletion and ensure that your important files are safe and secure.

Tips and Tricks:

  1. Consider using a file recovery app to recover files automatically.
  2. Always use the secure erase feature when selling or disposing of a hard drive to prevent data theft.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recovering Deleted Files on Windows 10

Advantages

1. Retrieve important files – Recovering deleted files on Windows 10 allows you to retrieve important files that were accidentally deleted or lost due to system errors.

2. Cost-effective solution – Instead of spending a lot of money on data recovery services, you can use built-in recovery options on Windows 10 for free.

3. Easy to use – The recovery process is simple and can be completed in just a few steps, even for non-tech-savvy users.

4. Time-saving – You don’t need to manually look for and recreate lost files, which can be a time-consuming process.

5. Enhanced productivity – Recovering deleted files can help you avoid delays and disruptions caused by missing data, ultimately enhancing productivity.

6. Security – Avoid potential security risks associated with using third-party recovery software by using Windows 10’s built-in options.

7. Self-sufficient – You have full control over the files you recover and can retrieve them without relying on external services.

8. Options – Windows 10 offers different recovery options depending on your needs, such as restoring to a previous version or using the File History feature.

9. Support – Microsoft provides support and resources for Windows 10 users, making the recovery process smoother and easier.

10. Multiple devices – The recovery options can be used on multiple devices, including external hard drives and flash drives.

Disadvantages

1. Limitations – Windows 10’s recovery options may not be able to retrieve all lost files or data in some cases.

2. Time-sensitive – The likelihood of successful data recovery decreases over time, making it essential to act quickly.

3. Changes in the system – Any changes or updates made to the system after the deletion of files can affect the recovery process.

4. Overwriting data – Continued use of the system after data loss increases the risk of overwriting the deleted files and making them unrecoverable.

5. Limited storage – Windows 10’s built-in recovery options have limited storage capacity for backup files and versions.

6. User error – The recovery process can be complicated if the user does not have a clear understanding of data recovery options.

7. Hardware damage – If the lost data is due to hardware damage, Windows 10’s recovery options may not be sufficient to retrieve the data.

8. Time-consuming – The data recovery process can be time-consuming and may require significant effort to retrieve.

9. Risk of corruption – Using third-party recovery software can create additional risks, such as file corruption or system damage.

10. Irreparable data – In some cases, lost data may be permanently irreparable without the use of specialized software or services.

FAQ

1. Can deleted files be recovered on Windows 10?

Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files on Windows 10.

2. How do I recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10?

You can use third-party data recovery software to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10.

3. What is the best data recovery software for Windows 10?

There are several data recovery software options available for Windows 10, including EaseUS Data Recovery, Recuva, and Disk Drill.

4. Is it possible to recover files deleted from the recycle bin?

Yes, files that have been deleted from the recycle bin can still be recovered using a data recovery software tool.

5. Can I recover files from a formatted hard drive on Windows 10?

Yes, a data recovery software tool can help recover files from a formatted hard drive on Windows 10.

6. How long does it take to recover deleted files on Windows 10?

The time it takes to recover deleted files on Windows 10 will depend on the amount of data that needs to be recovered and the performance of your computer.

7. Can I recover files from a crashed Windows 10 computer?

Yes, it is possible to recover files from a crashed Windows 10 computer using a data recovery software tool.

8. How can I prevent data loss on Windows 10?

You can prevent data loss on Windows 10 by regularly backing up your data and storing it in a secure location.

9. What should I do if I accidentally delete files on Windows 10?

If you accidentally delete files on Windows 10, stop using the device immediately and use a data recovery software tool to recover the deleted files.

10. Can I recover deleted files on Windows 10 without software?

This would depend on the extent of the damage and whether or not the files were overwritten. It is generally recommended to use data recovery software to recover files on Windows 10.

11. Is it safe to use data recovery software on Windows 10?

Yes, data recovery software is safe to use on Windows 10 as long as you download it from a reputable source.

12. How do I select the right data recovery software for Windows 10?

You can research and compare different data recovery software options for Windows 10 online and read reviews from other users to help make your decision.

13. Can data recovery software damage my computer?

No, data recovery software is not likely to damage your computer as long as it is sourced from a reputable provider and used correctly.

How to Recover Deleted Files Windows 10

Accidentally deleting important files is a common problem faced by computer users. But the good news is, if you are using Windows 10, there are several ways to recover deleted files. In this article, we will discuss some of the best methods for recovering deleted files on Windows 10.

Conclusion and Closing

Hopefully, this article helped you to recover your deleted files on Windows 10. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so it’s always a good idea to regularly backup your important files. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We wish you the best of luck in all of your future data recovery endeavors!

Until next time, happy computing!