How to Recover Deleted Files on a PC: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2024
Accidentally deleting important files on your PC can be stressful, especially when they contain essential data. Fortunately, there are several methods to recover those files, whether they were removed a few minutes ago or several days ago. This guide will walk you through easy ways to recover deleted files on a PC using built-in Windows tools, third-party recovery software, and backups.
Let’s explore each method to help you restore your files!
Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin
If you’ve recently deleted a file, the first place to check is the
Recycle Bin. Deleted files typically stay there unless you’ve emptied the bin or used “Shift + Delete” to permanently delete the file.
Here’s how to recover files from the Recycle Bin:
- Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop by double-clicking the icon.
- Locate the deleted file you wish to recover. You can use the search bar to find it quickly.
- Right-click the file and select Restore. The file will be restored to its original location.
Note: If you emptied the Recycle Bin or permanently deleted the file, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Recover Permanently Deleted Files Using File History (Windows Backup)
Windows provides a built-in feature called
File History that can help you restore previous versions of files. This feature must have been enabled prior to the deletion.
Here’s how to use File History to recover your deleted files:
- Go to the folder where your deleted file was originally located.
- Right-click inside the folder and select Restore previous versions.
- A list of available previous versions will appear. Browse the list, select the version that contains your deleted file, and click Restore.
Tip: If you don’t see any previous versions, that means File History wasn’t enabled before the file was deleted.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party File Recovery Tool
If you’ve permanently deleted a file and don’t have backups, using third-party file recovery software can be your best option. These programs scan your hard drive for deleted files and attempt to restore them. Some of the most reliable and popular file recovery tools include:
- Recuva (Free & Paid): Easy-to-use recovery software that works well for recovering files from both hard drives and USBs.
- EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (Free & Paid): Offers a user-friendly interface with deep scanning options to recover lost data.
- Disk Drill (Free & Paid): Known for its powerful recovery capabilities on both internal and external drives.
Here’s how to recover deleted files using Recuva:
- Download and install Recuva from the official website.
- Launch the program and select the type of file you’re trying to recover (pictures, documents, etc.).
- Choose the drive or location where the file was deleted.
- Recuva will scan the location and show you a list of recoverable files. Select the file and click Recover to restore it.
Pro Tip: When using third-party software, avoid saving the recovered file to the same drive where it was deleted. This prevents overwriting data that may still be recoverable.
Method 4: Restore Deleted Files Using System Restore
System Restore can be used to roll back your computer’s system files and settings to an earlier point in time. Although it’s mainly used for fixing system issues, it can sometimes help recover deleted files as well.
Follow these steps to use System Restore:
- Type “System Restore” into the Windows search bar and select Create a restore point.
- In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
- Select a restore point from before the date the file was deleted, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Note: This method is more suited for restoring system settings and files, and there’s no guarantee it will recover your deleted personal files.
Method 5: Check Cloud Backups (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox)
If you have your files synced to a cloud storage service like
OneDrive,
Google Drive, or
Dropbox, it’s possible that the deleted files are still in the cloud’s recycle bin or trash.
Here’s how to recover files from OneDrive:
- Log in to your OneDrive account via a web browser.
- Navigate to the Recycle Bin located in the left panel.
- Find the deleted file, right-click it, and select Restore.
Similarly, you can follow similar steps for Google Drive and Dropbox to restore files from their respective trash bins.
Method 6: Restore from Windows Backup
If you use the
Backup and Restore feature in Windows to back up your files, you can recover deleted files from a backup.
Follow these steps:
- Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore.
- Click Restore my files and follow the wizard to recover files from the latest backup.
Tips for Preventing File Loss in the Future
Recovering deleted files is not always guaranteed, so it’s a good idea to take preventive measures to avoid losing important data:
- Enable File History: Ensure File History is turned on by going to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
- Use Cloud Backup: Store important files in cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
- Create Regular Backups: Set up automatic backups to an external drive or a dedicated cloud service.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting files can be frustrating, but with the methods mentioned above, you have a high chance of recovering your lost data. Always start by checking the Recycle Bin, and if necessary, explore other options like file recovery software or cloud backups.
For future protection, make sure to have backups enabled on your PC, so you’re always covered if data loss happens again.