Did you know that if you delete a file on Windows 10, even if it’s no longer in the recycle bin, you can often retrieve it? Well, logically erased files can stay on your hard drive for a long time, depending on how you use your computer. This means that the file will remain physically accessible until Windows overwrites it with new data, even though you can no longer access it through Windows Explorer. On Windows 10 computers, this allows you to restore irreversibly deleted files. This takes us to the focus of this guide. Below, we will be taking a look at how to recover deleted files in Windows 10.
Here is how to recover deleted files in Windows 10
Recover Deleted Files on windows 10 by Checking the Recycle Bin
When you need to recover deleted files on a Windows 10 computer, this method should be your first choice. If the file was recently deleted, it could be in the Recycle Bin, where it can be readily recovered.
Follow these methods to recover deleted files:
- To open the Recycle Bin, double-click on it
- Locate and inspect the files that need to be retrieved. To select multiple things at once, hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys
- Right-click on the selection and select Restore from the menu. The file will be restored to its original place. You can simply drag the file from the Recycle Bin and put it in a new location to save it
- Go to the new location and confirm that the files have been fully recovered and are accessible to your applications
Note: The Recycle Bin is a temporary storage location for files that have been recently deleted from your Windows system and fit in the Bin. Files that exceed the Bin’s capacity will be permanently erased rather than being saved for possible recovery. This means you won’t be able to find these files in the Recycle Bin by then.
Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10 Using Data Recovery Software
To undo the effects of a data loss event, file recovery software may be required. As your data recovery tool of option, it is recommended you use Disk Drill for Windows.
Here are the steps to recover lost data with Disk Drill. It’s a full-featured data recovery program that uses complex algorithms to search any storage medium for deleted files that can be retrieved.
Here are the steps to follow while using Disk Drill to recover lost data.
- Download Disk Drill and install it.
- Launch the application.
- From the list in the application’s window, choose the disk or partition where the files were saved.
- To use Disk Drill’s scanning methods, click the Search for lost data button. You will be given a list of the files that can be retrieved as it works.
- Choose the files you want to restore and a new location to save them to. Do not restore files from their original place, as this may result in file corruption.
- To recover your data, click Recover.
- Go to the new location and double-check that the files have been fully recovered and are accessible to your applications.
Also read: How to check Apple MacBook battery health
Use File History Backup to Recover Accidentally Deleted Files
File History Backup is a built-in backup and recovery feature in Windows 10 that can help you restore deleted files. The steps to recover deleted files from a File History Backup are outlined below.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the items you wish to recover.
- Go to the Home menu, then to the History tab.
- Choose whatever files or folders you want to restore.
- Use the arrows to search through time for the version you want to recover.
- To restore the file to its original place, click the Restore button.
- Resolve any naming issues by replacing the original file with the restored version, skipping the file, or preserving both for later inspection.
There you have it, these are some of the ways of recovering your deleted files in Windows 10.
