How To Recover Deleted Files On Windows 10

Accidentally deleting important files on your Windows 10 computer can be a nightmare. Luckily, there are ways to recover these files and save yourself from panic and frustration. Let's explore some effective methods and tools to retrieve your deleted files on Windows 10.

One of the most significant aspects of recovering deleted files on Windows 10 is the use of file recovery software. These specialized programs scan your computer's storage devices, including hard drives and external storage, to locate and restore deleted files. With the advancement in technology, file recovery software has become more powerful and user-friendly, allowing both professionals and beginners to recover their data efficiently. In fact, studies show that using file recovery software has a success rate of up to 95% in recovering deleted files.

Understanding the Importance of Recovering Deleted Files on Windows 10

Accidentally deleting files is a common occurrence for Windows 10 users. Whether it's an important document, a cherished photo, or a critical video, losing such data can be devastating. Fortunately, recovering deleted files on Windows 10 is not an impossible task. In this article, we will explore effective methods to retrieve your deleted files and restore them to their original state. Understanding the importance of file recovery and having the necessary knowledge and tools can save you from the frustration and loss that come with permanently deleted files.

1. Utilizing Windows 10 Restore Previous Versions Feature

Windows 10 provides a built-in feature known as "Restore Previous Versions" that allows you to recover deleted files without the need for third-party software. This feature takes advantage of the "System Protection" functionality in Windows, which automatically creates restore points at specific intervals or when system changes occur. To use this feature:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted file was originally located.
• Right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu.
• A list of available restore points for that folder will appear. Select the desired restore point and click "Restore" to recover the deleted file.
• If you can't find the desired file or folder, you can try accessing the restore points of the parent folder or the system drive.

1.1 Using Windows File History for Deleted Files Recovery

If you have previously enabled the Windows File History feature, it can serve as a reliable method to recover deleted files. File History continuously backs up versions of your files to an external storage device, allowing you to restore previous versions of deleted files. Follow these steps to use File History for file recovery:

• Connect the external storage device that contains the File History backups.
• Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the deleted file was located.
• Click on the "History" button in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu.
• A list of available previous versions will appear. Select the desired version and click "Restore" to recover the deleted file.

1.2 Restoring Previous Versions on Network Drives

The "Restore Previous Versions" feature is not limited to local storage; it can also be used for recovering deleted files on network drives. To recover deleted files from a network drive, follow these steps:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the network drive where the deleted file was located.
• Right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu.
• Select the desired restore point from the available list and click "Restore" to recover the deleted file.

2. Using Data Recovery Software for Windows 10

If the Windows built-in features are unsuccessful in recovering your deleted files, you can turn to third-party data recovery software. These software tools are specifically designed to scan your storage devices and retrieve deleted files that have not been overwritten. Here are some popular data recovery software options for Windows 10:

Software	Features	Price
Recuva	Deep scan, secure overwrite, file preview	Free and Pro versions available
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard	Quick scan, deep scan, formatted drive recovery	Free and Pro versions available
Stellar Data Recovery	Quick scan, deep scan, lost partition recovery	Free and Pro versions available

When using data recovery software, it's important to follow these best practices:

• Avoid saving new files or installing software on the drive from which you want to recover deleted files as it may overwrite the deleted data.
• Connect the storage device to a different computer if possible to prevent any potential data overwriting.
• Scan the entire drive thoroughly, even if the software finds some deleted files initially, as there might be more recoverable files.
• Select a destination folder on a different drive or storage device for the recovered files to prevent any potential conflicts.

2.1 Steps to Recover Files Using Recuva

Recuva is a popular and user-friendly data recovery software. Follow these steps to recover deleted files using Recuva:

• Download and install Recuva from the official website.
• Launch Recuva and select the file type you want to recover or choose "All Files" for a comprehensive scan. Click "Next" to proceed.
• Select the location where the file was originally located, such as a specific folder or a drive. Click "Next" to continue.
• Choose the type of scan you want to perform - Quick Scan or Deep Scan. The Deep Scan option is recommended for thorough recovery. Click "Start" to begin the scan.
• Once the scan is complete, Recuva will display a list of recoverable files. Select the desired files and click "Recover" to restore them to a safe location.

2.2 EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard - Steps for File Recovery

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is another comprehensive data recovery software. Here's how you can recover deleted files using this software:

• Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard from the official website.
• Launch the software and select the location where the deleted file was located. Click "Scan" to start the scanning process.
• The software will perform a quick scan first, which will display the recoverable files. If the desired file is not found, click on "Deep Scan" for a more in-depth search.
• After the scan is complete, browse through the list of recoverable files and preview them if available. Select the desired files and click "Recover" to save them to a different location.

Methods to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10

Accidentally deleting important files can be highly frustrating, especially if you don't know how to recover them. If you are a Windows 10 user, there are several methods you can try to recover deleted files:

• Restore from Recycle Bin: Check your Recycle Bin to see if the file is still there. If it is, simply right-click on the file and choose "Restore".
• Use File History: If you have enabled File History, you can restore previous versions of files. Right-click on the folder where the file was located, select "Restore previous versions", and choose the desired version.
• Recover from Backup: If you have a backup of your files, you can restore them using the backup software you prefer.
• Use Data Recovery Software: If none of the above methods work, you can try using data recovery software such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or Recuva to scan your hard drive and recover deleted files.

It's important to note that the success of file recovery depends on several factors, including the length of time since the file was deleted and whether new data has overwritten the space previously occupied by the deleted file. Therefore, it is advisable to stop using the affected drive or storage device immediately after realizing the files are deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recovering deleted files on Windows 10 can be a daunting task, especially if you're not familiar with the process. To help you out, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions and their answers to guide you through the recovery process.

1. Can I recover deleted files on Windows 10?

Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files on Windows 10. When you delete a file, it is not immediately removed from your computer. Instead, it is marked as 'deleted' and the space it occupies on the storage device is marked as available for new data. However, until new data overwrites the deleted file, it can be recovered using specialized data recovery software.

To maximize the chances of recovering your deleted files, it is recommended to stop using the storage device immediately after deletion. This prevents new data from being written to the same location and potentially overwriting the deleted files.

2. What are the best data recovery software for Windows 10?

There are several reliable data recovery software options available for Windows 10. Some popular choices include:

• Recuva: A user-friendly and effective data recovery tool with a free version available.
• EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A comprehensive data recovery software that offers a free trial.
• Wondershare Recoverit: A powerful data recovery tool with advanced features.
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery: A versatile recovery software with a free edition available.

These software options are widely used and have good success rates in recovering deleted files on Windows 10. It's important to note that the sooner you run the recovery software after file deletion, the higher the chances of successful recovery.

3. How can I recover deleted files without using third-party software?

If you prefer not to use third-party software, Windows 10 has a built-in feature called "File History" that can help you recover deleted files. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the folder where the deleted file was originally located.
2. Click on the "History" button in the toolbar.
3. Navigate to the date when the file was still present and click on it.
4. Locate the deleted file and right-click on it.
5. Select "Restore" to recover the file to its original location.

However, it's worth noting that "File History" needs to be enabled and configured beforehand for this method to work. If it wasn't enabled, or if the file was deleted before the configured backup period, third-party recovery software may be your best bet.

4. Can I recover files from the Recycle Bin on Windows 10?

Yes, files that are deleted by simply clicking on the "Delete" button or using the "Delete" key on your keyboard are typically moved to the Recycle Bin on Windows 10. To recover files from the Recycle Bin:

1. Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.
2. Locate the deleted file(s) within the Recycle Bin.
3. Right-click on the file(s) and select "Restore" to recover them to their original location.

If the Recycle Bin has been emptied or the files were deleted using Shift + Delete, they will not be found in the Recycle Bin and you'll need to use data recovery software.

5. Should I consult a professional data recovery service?

If you have tried using data recovery software and have not been successful in recovering your deleted files, or if the files are critically important, consulting a professional data recovery service may be your best option. These services have specialized hardware and expertise to recover data from physically damaged storage devices or complex data loss scenarios. However, professional data recovery services can be expensive, so it's advisable to weigh the importance of the lost files against the potential cost.

Keep in mind that prevention is always better than recovery. Regularly backing up your files ensures that you have a copy of important data in case of accidental deletion or hardware failure.

In conclusion, recovering deleted files on Windows 10 is possible with the right tools and methods. It is important to act quickly after discovering the deletion to increase the chances of successful recovery.

Using data recovery software like Recuva or Disk Drill can help scan and restore deleted files from various storage devices. Additionally, utilizing the Windows Recycle Bin or previous file versions can also aid in recovering deleted files. Remember to avoid saving new data on the device where the files were deleted to prevent overwriting the deleted files and reducing the chances of recovery.