How to Recover Deleted Files If Not in Recycle Bin [Windows 11, 10, 8, 7]

When I Delete a File, it Doesn't Go to the Recycle Bin?

Why Deleted Files Skip Recycle Bin?

When you delete a file, you expect it to go to the Recycle Bin—but sometimes, it disappears permanently. Here’s every possible reason (except for manually emptying the Recycle Bin) why this happens.

1. Files Deleted from External Drives (USB/SD Card/External HDD)

The Recycle Bin only works for internal drives (C:, D:, etc.). External storage devices (USB, SD cards, external SSDs/HDDs) deleted files will bypass the Recycle Bin entirely. For example, if you delete a file from a USB flash drive, it’s gone immediately—not in Recycle Bin for instant recovery!

2. Using Shift + Delete (Permanent Deletion Shortcut)

If you delete a file by pressing “Shift + Delete” (not simple Delete), it will force Windows operating system to skipRecycleBin.It is designed for users who want to delete files permanentlywithout manual cleanup.

3. Files Too Large for Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin has a storage limit (usually 5-10% of entire drive space). If a file exceeds this limit, Windows deletes it permanently instead of moving it to the Bin.

4. Recycle Bin Disabled

If the Recycle Bin is manually disabled, the deleted files won’t move to it. Instead, they will be immediately removed permanently.

How to Recover Files Not in Recycle Bin (All Windows Versions)

When important files vanish without appearing in the Recycle Bin - whether due to accidental permanent deletion (Shift+Delete), storage on external drives, or system errors - you still have multiple recovery options available to restore deleted files not in Recycle Bin Windows 11, 10 ,8, or 7:

Method 1. File History (For Prepared Users)

If you had File History enabled before losing your files, this built-in Windows feature can restore previous versions of your documents, photos, and other important data. Unlike the Recycle Bin, File History automatically saves copies of your files at regular intervals, allowing you to recover them even after permanent deletion.

PS.: This feature is only available on 10 and Windows 11.

Step 1. Input and search “Restore Your Files with File History” in the Windows start menu. Click “Open”under the matching result.

Step 2. Use the navigation arrows to move between different backup dates. Check boxes next to files/folders you want to restore. Click the green restore button to recover them.

Method 2. WinfrCommands (Advanced Technical Method)

Windows File Recovery (winfr) is a Microsoft-developed command-line tool that can recover permanently deleted files, even if they bypassed the Recycle Bin. It supports NTFS, FATandexFATfile systems.

PS.: This tool is only available on 10 and Windows 11.

Step 1: Download & Install Winfr: Download the Windows File Recovery app from Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Open CMD as Admin: search “Command Prompt”in the start menu, right-click Command Promptand select“Run as administrator”.

Step 3: Run Winfr Command:

Basic Syntax: winfr SourceDrive: DestinationDrive: [/mode] [/switches]

Recover Deleted Files if not in Recycle Bin, use the Syntax: winfr H: D: \test /regular

This command will scan H: drive for recently deleted files and recover them to a test folder in D: drive.

Method 3. Data Recovery Software (Most Effective Solution)

The above two methods are only work when you try to recover deleted files if not in Recycle Bin on Windows 11 and Windows 10. If you are using Windows 8 or Windows 7 computer, they will let you down. In such cases, you can switch to some professional data recovery tool like MyRecover.

This data recovery tool works seamlessly on all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 (R2). Besides, no backup and command skills are required. Last but not least, no matter you are using SSD, HDD, USB flash drive, SD card, or other storage devices, or how you lost your files, including partition format, partition deletion, partition corruption, virus attack, file system damage, system crash, shift+delete, emptying Recycle Bin, etc, you can get them back easily,

Steps to Recover Deleted Files Not in Recycle Bin

Regardless of the reasons why the files you delete bypass the Windows Recycle Bin, try the following steps:

Step 1: Download and Install MyRecover

Visit the official MyRecover website to download the software. Ensure you save the installation file to a different drive than the one containing your lost files to prevent overwriting any recoverable data. Simply follow the on-screen prompts and agree to the license terms. Once installed, launch the application to begin the recovery process.

Step 2: Select the Target Drive for Scanning

After launching MyRecover, you'll see a list of available drives on your computer. Carefully select the drive where your deleted files were originally stored.

Quick Scan is ideal for recently deleted files and works faster, while Deep Scan performs a more thorough search of your drive and can recover files that were deleted longer ago or from formatted drives. The scanning time will vary depending on your drive's capacity and the scan mode selected.

Step 3: Select Files for Recovery

Once the scan completes, MyRecover will display all recoverable files in an organized interface. Select the files you want to recover and click on “Recover”.

Step 4: Recover and Save Your Files

Choose a safe location to save them. It's crucial to select a different drive than the original one to avoid data overwriting. Then wait for the process to be completed, and the recovery speed depends on the number and size of files being restored.

Once the recovery process is complete, take time to verify that your important files are intact and accessible.

Summary

Now, you should have a basic understanding of why the deleted files skip the Windows Recycle Bin and how to recover files not in Recycle Bin. If you are Windows 11 or Windows 10 users, the first two methods deserve a try. If you are not, then consider using MyRecover, a more friendly and powerful tool for Windows PC and Server users.

Its Professional edition even allows you to preview files before final recovery, restore files from PC that cannot boot up and recover unlimited data.