How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11

Patrick_Yu

Losing important files can be stressful, but fortunately, Windows 11 offers several straightforward methods to help you recover deleted files. In this guide, we'll explore step-by-step instructions on how to recover deleted files and ensure you know exactly how to restore deleted files, even if they seem permanently lost.

1. How to restore deleted files from Recycle Bin

Often, when you delete a file in Windows 11, it doesn't get permanently erased immediately. Instead, it goes into the Recycle Bin, providing you a quick chance to reverse your decision. This method should be your first step to check when attempting file recovery:

1. Open Recycle Bin: Locate and double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
2. Find your file: Scroll or use the search box to locate the file or folder you want to recover.
3. Restore file: Right-click the file and select Restore. The file will return to its original location.

This method is straightforward, fast, and highly effective for recently deleted files.

2. How can we restore deleted files using File History?

File History is a handy feature in Windows 11 that automatically backs up your important files, allowing you to recover previous versions if you accidentally delete or modify them. It regularly saves copies of all files within your libraries, including Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music, as well as any custom libraries you've created. You can also add additional folders to be backed up by including them in an existing library or creating a new one.

Here's how you can configure and use File History to restore deleted files:

Configure File History:

1. Connect a backup drive: Ensure an external drive or network location is connected or configured for backups.
2. Open Control Panel: Search for "Control Panel" from the Start menu and open it.
3. Navigate to File History: Under System and Security, select Save backup copies of your files with File History.
4. Turn on File History: Click Turn on to enable the feature.
5. Select backup drive: If no drive is selected, click Select drive, choose your backup location, and click OK.

Restore files using File History:

1. Open File Explorer: Navigate to the folder that previously contained your deleted file or folder.
2. Restore previous versions: Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.
3. Select version: Choose the correct version of the folder from the available list. You can preview the files by clicking Open in File History.
4. Restore the file: To restore, select the desired version and click Restore. If you prefer not to overwrite existing files, select Restore to... and choose a different location.

Regular use of File History provides peace of mind and significantly enhances your chances of recovering lost data.

How to recover deleted files using Windows File Recovery

When files are permanently deleted and no backup is available, Windows File Recovery—a free command-line tool provided by Microsoft—can still help. Though slightly advanced, it's a powerful method for recovering files that aren't available elsewhere:

1. Install Windows File Recovery: Open the Microsoft Store, search for "Windows File Recovery," and install it.
2. Launch as Administrator: Search for "Windows File Recovery" from the Start menu, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
3. Run recovery command: Enter a command similar to the following, adjusting drive letters and file paths: winfr C: D: /regular /n \Users\Username\Documents\deletedfile.txt

This command attempts to recover the specified file from drive C: and saves it to drive D:.

Recovering deleted files with third-party software

If built-in options don't work, third-party file recovery tools like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard provide additional capabilities. These applications can recover files from formatted drives or even damaged disks:

1. Download software: Choose a trusted software and download it from its official site.
2. Scan for deleted files: Run the software and select the drive where the files were lost.
3. Recover files: After the scan, select the files you want to recover and save them to a safe location.

Third-party software often offers deeper scanning capabilities, making it ideal for tougher recovery situations.

Important tips to maximize chances of file recovery

• Stop using the drive immediately: Continuing to write new files to the drive could overwrite deleted data, reducing your chances of recovery.
• Regular backups: Maintaining regular backups with File History or third-party tools greatly simplifies file restoration.
• Act quickly: The sooner you attempt to recover deleted files, the greater the likelihood of success.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files in Windows 11 can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. Whether you're restoring files from the Recycle Bin, using backups like File History, leveraging Windows File Recovery, or turning to trusted third-party recovery software, your chances improve significantly by acting swiftly and ensuring regular backups. By familiarizing yourself with these recovery methods, you'll be better prepared to handle file loss situations confidently and effectively.

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