How to Recover Deleted Files Without Backup in Windows (2025 Guide)

User Case

Possible to Recover (Permamently) Deleted Files without Any Backup?

We've all had that moment of panic - accidentally hitting Shift+Delete on the wrong folder, emptying the Recycle Bin without double-checking, or watching helplessly as a system cleanup erases files we still need. That sinking feeling only worsens when you realize there's no backup to restore from.

Windows does include built-in safety nets like File History and Previous Versions, but these require advance setup that most users never bother with until it's too late. The bitter irony is these tools could have saved your files - if only you'd enabled them beforehand. So is itpossible to recover deleted files without any backup? The short answeris yes- deleted files often remain on your drive until overwritten.

Methods to Recover Deleted Files Without Backup

Even without a backup, your deleted files may still be recoverable—as long as they haven't been overwritten by new data. When you delete a file, Windows simply marks its storage space as available rather than immediately erasing it. This means recovery is often possible using specialized tools that scan for these "invisible" files. Below, we'll explore two reliable methods to retrieve lost data on Windows 11/10/8/7:

Method 1: Windows File Recovery (Microsoft's Official Tool)

Windows File Recovery is a free, powerful utility developed by Microsoft that can recover permanently deleted files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards. Unlike most recovery tools, it operates via Command Prompt, making it best suited for users familar with command-line interfaces.

Supported File Systems:

✔ NTFS (Windows default)

✔ FAT32 (common for USB drives)

✔ exFAT (used for external storage)

Step 1: Download & Install Windows File Recovery

Go to the Microsoft Store and search for "Windows File Recovery". Click “Download”(requires Windows 10 2004 or later).Then launch the installer.exe to complete the installation.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Admin

Press Win + X → Select "Terminal (Admin)" in Windows 11or "Command Prompt (Admin)" in Windows 10.

Step 3: Choose the Right Recovery Mode

The tool offers 3 scan modes—pick one based on your situation:

Step 4: Run the Recovery Command

Example: Recover deleted Photos from C: to D:\Recovery:

winfr C: D: /r /n *.jpg /n *.png

C: = Source drive (where files were deleted).

D: = Destination (must be different from the source).

/r = Segment mode (deep scan).

/n = Filters by filename/extension.

Step 5: Check Recovered Files

Navigate to your destination drive (e.g., D:\Recovery). Files will be restored in a folder named "Recovery_[Date]".

If you are not excellent at running such complicated commands, and loook for a simpler, GUI-based alternative, see method 2.

Method 2: Third-party Windows Data Recovery Software- MyRecover

Compared with Windows' built-in file recovery tool, MyRecover is much easier to operate when it comes to recovering deleted files without backup, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Unlike the complex steps and technical knowledge required by Windows File Recovery, MyRecover simplifies the process with an intuitive design, allowing users to restore lost data in just a few clicks.

★Key Advantages of MyRecover Over Windows File Recovery:

No Command Line Needed: Windows File Recovery relies on command-line inputs, which can be confusing for non-technical users. MyRecover offers a graphical interface, making file recovery accessible to everyone.

Preview Before Recovery: MyRecover allows users to preview recoverable files before restoring them, ensuring accuracy and integrity. Windows' built-in tool does not provide this feature, increasing the risk of recovering wrong files.

Faster & More Efficient Scanning: MyRecover uses advanced algorithms to quickly scan lost files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards. Windows File Recovery can be slower and less effective in deep scanning.

Supports More File Formats: MyRecover can restore photos, videos, documents, emails, and compressed files (JPEG, PDF, DOCX, MP4, ZIP, etc.). Windows’ tool has limited format support and stricter requirements.

Broader OS Compatibility: MyRecover works seamlessly on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32-bit & 64-bit) and Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012, while Windows File Recovery is only available for Windows 10 2004+ and Windows 11.

3 Clicks to Recover Deleted Files without Backup

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover Professional edition on your computer.

Step 2. Select the source drive where the deleted files were saved before and click "Scan".

Step 3. After the default quick scan, all recently deleted files will be displayed. Check the box in front of the target files or folder, and click "Recover".

To deal with more complex data loss cases, such as recovering data from formatted partition or corrupted drive, you can use “Deep Scan” mode to search lost files.

Step 4. Choose a safe location to save the recoverd files.

Conclusion

How to recover deleted files without backup in Windows 11 or 10? Windows File Recovery is a free choice, but with some restriction. If you need a simple, fast, and reliable way to recover deleted files, MyRecover is the superior choice. Its no-code approach, preview function, and broad compatibility make it ideal for both beginners and professionals.