Are deleted files truly lost forever? This guide explores various ways to recover recently deleted files in different cases. From restoring files from the Recycle Bin to using Windows built-in recovery features and professional data recovery tools, we cover effective methods to help you retrieve lost data.
Not necessarily. When you delete a file on your computer, it doesn’t immediately disappear. In most cases, the file is simply marked as deleted, and the space it occupies is made available for new data. However, the actual file content remains on the storage drive until it gets overwritten by new information.
1. Moving to the Recycle Bin (Soft Deletion)
If you delete a file using the “Delete”key or the right-click “Delete “option, Windows moves it to the Recycle Bin instead of permanently erasing it. The file remains intact in the Recycle Bin, retaining its original structure, metadata, and content.
2. Permanent Deletion (Hard Deletion)
If you empty the Recycle Bin or delete files using Shift + Delete, they no longer appear in the Recycle Bin. The file is no longer visible in the file system, but it still physically exists on the hard drive or SSD.
3. Marking as Free Space
Instead of actually erasing the file, Windows simply marks the space it occupied as "available for reuse."
The file’s entry in the Master File Table (MFT) (for NTFS) or File Allocation Table (FAT) (for older file systems) is removed, meaning Windows no longer tracks its location. The data itself remains in its original place on the storage drive until new files overwrite it.
4. Overwriting the File
If new data is saved to the disk, it may use the space where the deleted file was stored.Once the old data is overwritten, recovery becomes significantly more difficult and, in many cases, impossible without advanced forensic techniques.
Yes! There are several ways to recover recently deleted files, depending on how and where they were deleted. Whether they were removed from the Recycle Bin, permanently deleted, or lost due to system crashes, different recovery methods can help restore your files. The sooner you attempt recovery, the higher the chances of success.
The method you use to recover recently deleted files depends on how they were deleted. Below are different scenarios and their respective recovery solutions.
If you deleted a file using the Delete key or right-clicked and selected Delete, it is likely in the Recycle Bin unless the bin was emptied. Then you can directly restore them from the Recycle Bin:
Step 1. Open the "Recycle Bin" by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
Step 2. Locate the deleted file using the search bar or by browsing.
Step 3. Right-click the file and select "Restore".
The file will be restored to its original location.
✔️When this method works: If the file was recently deleted and the Recycle Bin hasn’t been emptied.
❌When this method won’t work: If the Recycle Bin was emptied or the file was deleted using "Shift + Delete".
If you emptied the Recycle Bin or used Shift + Delete, Windows no longer tracks the file, but it may still exist on the storage drive until overwritten.
If File History was enabled before deletion, you can recover lost files:
Step 1. Open File Explorer and click on the drive folder that contained the deleted files.
Step 2. Right-click on the folder name, and then select "Restore previous versions".
Step 3. The Previous Versions tab lists the available previous versions of the file or folder.
Step 4. Select a previous version of files you want to restore.
Windows automatically creates system restore points, which may include earlier versions of files. In such a case, you can recover files recently deleted in the following steps.
Step 1. Right-click the folder where the file was stored and select "Properties".
Step 2. Click the "Previous Versions" tab.
Step 3. If a version is available, select it and click "Restore".
✔️When this method works: If File History or System Protection was enabled before the file was deleted.
❌When this method won’t work: If File History was not enabled or if the restore points do not contain the deleted file.
If the file is not in the Recycle Bin and you have no backup, you might need a professional data recovery tool. Among the many options available, MyRecover is a reliable and user-friendly choice.to recover files recently deleted in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 and all Window Server operating systems.
✅ High Recovery Rate: MyRecover uses advanced scanning algorithms to scan, delect and restore lost files effectively.
✅ Supports Various File Types : It can recover documents, text, photos, videos, emails and other file formats.
✅ Quick & Deep Scan Options: Perform a fast scan for recently deleted files or a deep scan for more complex recoveries.
✅ User-Friendly Interface: No technical expertise is needed to navigate and use the software.
✅ Compatible with All Storage Devices – Works seamlessly on different storage devices like SSD, HDD, USB flash drive, SD card, and more.
1. Download & Install MyRecover: Install the software on a drive different from where the file was lost.
2. Select the Drive: Choose the location where the file was deleted.
3. Scan for Lost Files: Start a Quick Scan to find recently deleted files, or use a Deep Scan if needed.
4. Preview & Recover: Locate the deleted file, preview it if you want, and click “Recover”to restore it.
✅ If files were permanently deleted (Shift + Delete or emptied Recycle Bin).
✅ If files were lost due to disk formatting, partition loss, or corruption.
✅If data disappeared after a system crash, BSOD, or freezing issue.
✅ If a virus attack hid or deleted important files.
If your files were stored in a cloud service, they might still be in the trash or have a recoverable version. The following focuses on how to recover files recently deleted from OneDrive and Google Drive.
✔️When this method works: If the file was deleted within the past 30 days (or longer if you have a premium account).
❌When this method won’t work: If the cloud storage’s trash folder has been emptied.
Recovering recently deleted files is entirely possible, depending on the method used and the situation. Whether you’re trying to restore files from the Recycle Bin, recover permanently deleted files without a backup, or retrieve data from a formatted disk or system crash, there are multiple tools and solutions available.
In comparison, MyRecover offers a more reliable and powerful option to recover lost files from your system in various challenging situations. Additionally, if your files were stored in cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive, you can easily restore them from their respective trash bins, as long as they haven’t been emptied.
