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How to Recover Deleted PDF Files on Windows 11 or Windows 10?
Accidentally deleted a critical PDF document? Take it easy! Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, there are several reliable methods to recover deleted PDF files quickly—even if they’ve been permanently erased. In this guide, we’ll walk you through 5 proven recovery techniques, including built-in Windows tools, free recovery software, and backup solutions, to help you retrieve your lost PDFs in minutes.
By Emma / Updated on April 16, 2025
Why Do PDF Files Get Deletedor Lost?
PDF files have become one of the most widely used document formats globally due to their strong cross-platform compatibility, stable formatting, and ease of encryption and sharing. They are extensively utilized in e-books, contracts, forms, academic papers and other fields. However, precisely because of their frequent use, accidental deletion or loss occurs particularly often.
Understanding why PDFs disappear and how recovery works can significantly improve your chances of getting them back.
- Accidental deletion (Shift + Delete bypasses Recycle Bin)
- Disk formatting or corruption
- Virus/malware attacks
- System crashes or failed updates
Can PDF files be recovered after they are deleted or missing. Yes, if you act fast, deleted PDFs can often be recovered—as long as the storage space hasn’t been overwritten.
5 Methods of Recovering Deleted PDF Files on Windows 10 or 11 Computer
Losing important PDF files can be stressful, but there are multiple effective recovery solutions for Windows users. The 5 most reliable methods include checking the Recycle Bin, using Windows File Recovery tool, restoring from backups, employing third-party recovery software, and searching temporary files. Below are the breakdown of each method.
Method 1. Recover fromRecycle Bin
If PDF files are deleted from your storage device (not USB flash drive, SD card or other removable disks) using "delete" key, they will go to Recycle Bin, allowing you to restore them to original location easily.
⚠️Note: if you deleted files from removable disks, they will bypass Windows Recycle Bin. Thus, you cannot restore data from SD card or USB flash drive using this method.
1: Double click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2: Find the deleted PDF files, right click on it and choose "Restore" that will return files to original location.
Method 2. Recover Deleted PDFs from Temporary Files
Temporary files are automatically created by Windows and applications (like Adobe Reader, web browsers, or Office programs) to store working data, cached content, or unsaved changes. When a PDF is opened, edited, or downloaded, temporary copies may remain in these folders even after deletion.So, you can search and recover deleted PDF files from the Temporary Files
When it works: Recently opened/edited PDFs (before system cleanup).
1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.Type "%temp%" and press Enter to access the temporary files folder.
2: In the %temp% folder, click the search bar (top-right). Type "*pdf" and press Enter. Alternatively, you can check App-Specific Cache Folders since some programs store temporary PDFs in custom locations.
3: Right-click any matching PDF, click on "Copy" and paste it to a safe location.
Method 3. Restore PDF Files from File History
File History (Windows' built-in backup tool) can be a lifesaver for recovering deleted PDFs. This toolautomatically save versions of your files at regular intervals, allowing you to retrieve lost documents. This method is particularly effective if you had backup systems in place before the files were deleted.
1: Open Settings -> Update & Security -> Files Backup.
2: Click "More options".
3: Click "Restore files from a current backup".
4: Browse through backup versions using the arrow buttons. Select your missing PDF file(s) and click the green restore button.
Choose whether to restore to original location or a new folder.
Method 4. Restore Deleted PDF Files Using Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is Microsoft's official command-line utility designed to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10/11. This powerful tool can scan your storage drivesto locate and restore PDF documents that have bypassed the Recycle Bin (Shift+Deleted) or were lost due to formattingor corruption.
⚠️Note: this tool only works on Windows 10 2004 or later.
1: Open Microsoft Store and search for "Windows File Recovery". Download and install the application.
2: Search Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click the matching result and choose "Run as administrator".
3: Then type the following command and press on Enter.
Winfr G: D: /extensive /n *.pdf
(recover PDFs from G: to D:)
- Winfr: The executable name of Windows File Recovery tool
- G: (Source drive): The drive letter where your PDF files were originally stored
- D: (Destination drive): The target drive where recovered files will be saved. Must be different from source drive to prevent overwriting
- /extensive (Scan mode): Uses deep scan technology forformatted drives, corrupted file systemsor long-deleted files.
Then you can go to the destination folder (get the specific path in the command window) to check the recovered PDF files.
Method 5: Restore Deleted PDF Files Using MyRecover
The above methods are proper for specific PDF lost situation. You can choose one based on how you delete PDF files or whether you have a backup. To cover all scenarios, please use a third-party data recovery software instead. MyRecover is a powerful, user-friendly data recovery programdesigned to retrieve lost or deleted files, including PDFs, from Windows PCs, SSDs, USB drives, and other storage devices.
Unlike Windows File Recovery (which is command-line based), MyRecover offers a graphical interface (GUI), making it easier for non-technical users to recover files efficiently.Also, it does not require any backup.
Key Features of MyRecover
✔ Fast & Deep Scanning – Quickly locates both recently deleted and long-lost PDF documents.
✔ File Preview – Allows to preview files for verification of PDF content before final recovery.
✔ High Recovery Rate – Recovers files from accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, virus attacks, partition loss, and system crashes.
✔ Supports Multiple Windows File Systems – Works with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS in Windows 11/10/8/7 & Windows Server.
1: Download and install MyRecover from its official website, making sure not to install it on the drive containing your lost PDF files.
100% Secure2: Run MyRecover as Administrator, then select the specific drive where your PDFs were originally stored before deletion.Click "Scan".
3: Typically, it will start a quick scan for recently deleted files. You can manually choose “Deep Scan" for more comprehensive recovery of older or permanently deleted PDFs.
4: Use the PDF filter to locate your documents, preview them if possible, and select the files you wish to recover.Click “Recover”.
5: Save the recovered PDFs to a different drive to prevent overwriting.
When the recovery process is done, you can know how many files are successfully recovered, and click the path to check their integrity.
Final Thoughts
This guide lists 5 different methods to help you recover deleted PDF files in Windows 11 or Windows 10 computers. In contrast, MyRecover offers amorestraightforward solution for recovering deleted PDFs,combining ease of use with powerful scanning/ recoverycapabilities.
Whether your files were recently deleted or lost due to formatting/corruption, following these steps can help restore them efficiently. For best results, act quickly and always save recovered files to a separate drive.To use the powerful data recovery software on unlimited devices like all computers in one company, please get the Technician edition.
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