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Losing important files on a Windows system while managing files or removing unwanted data is a common problem faced by users. When a user realizes that an important document or file is missing, it can be frustrating for the user. Fortunately, users can still recover deleted files on MS Windows by using several recovery options provided with Windows operating systems. By using these features, users can recover lost or deleted data and get back access to important data.
Process to Recover Deleted Files on MS Windows
To recover a deleted file, like photos, videos, audio files, documents, emails, etc, you can use the following DIY methods and top tools to recover data under various conditions:
1. Recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin
When you accidentally delete a file by pressing the ‘DEL’ key, you can restore it from the Recycle Bin. From the available files, select the ones you need to recover, then click Restore. Deleted files will be restored to the same folder they were in before deletion. Follow the steps below to recover files from the Recycle Bin:
- Go to “Recycle Bin.”
- Search for files you have deleted, select files and folders that you want to recover.
- Right-click on the selected folders (or files) and click the Restore button to collect the data.
When you delete a file with the Shift+Del key, this file bypass Recycle Bin and is deleted permanently. Also, when we empty the Recycle Bin, these files are also permanently erased. Permanent file recovery requires you to follow the specified procedures.
2. Use Windows Backup Options Built-in Tools
A significant number of users keep system backups that they keep on external hard drives. You can connect the backup drive to your system to recover stored files. When system data backup features are enabled by Windows backup utilities, you can swiftly recover deleted files on MS Windows that have been lost or deleted.
A. Recover Files via File History Feature
If you’ve enabled the File History feature on your Windows 11 system, you’ll have saved copies of your files. You can retrieve them in case of file deletion, damage, or loss. Follow the given steps to recover permanently deleted files using the File History feature: Go to Start. In the Search bar, type Control Panel to open it.
At first attempt, go to Start. In the Search bar, type Control Panel to open it.
- Now, go to System and Security.
- Now, select File History or Restore Your Files using File History.
- Find the backup and open it.
- Select the files or folders you want to recover and then click ‘Restore’.
- Now, select the location on the data storage device where you would like to store the data.
B. Backup and Restore Files (Windows 7)
Through Backup and Restore on Windows, you can retrieve files that the Shift delete operation removed. Follow these steps:
- Choose the Control Panel, then click System and Security from the available options.
- Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) followed by the option below called Restore files from backup.
- Choose between Restore my files or Restore all users’ files.
- Choose all the files you want to retrieve from the available list.
- Mark all recovery files using the available list selection tool. Move to the next screen by selecting ‘Browse for files or Browse for folder.’
Finish the file recovery process by selecting a destination and then clicking the Restore button.
3. File Recovery using Software
A. Microsoft’s File Recovery Tool – Unpaid Solution
The Microsoft Windows File Recovery tool enables you to restore permanently deleted files that were deleted through the Shift + Del command without a backup. Windows File Recovery can recover every type of data from physical devices, including files, documents, and photographs. It has three different modes of operation: default, segment, and signature.
The file recovery software functions best for retrieving files from NTFS drives, where you can operate between the default and segment modes. Switching to Signature mode becomes necessary to restore files when the drive operates with FAT, exFAT, or ReFS file systems.
There are a few limitations with this software, such as:
- Operating through multiple line commands makes its recovery function complex to understand for people who lack technical expertise.
- The software runs exclusively on Windows 10 systems using version 2004 or newer. Users cannot restore files from versions preceding this software version.
- Missing or damaged recovery data may appear during the process.
B. BLR Data Recovery Toolkit for Lost Data
You can restore permanently deleted files on Windows 11 systems by using efficient data recovery software such as BLR Data Recovery Toolkit. Users interested in DIY file recovery can restore every file category, starting from documents to PDFs, Excel files, emails, and images, alongside videos and audio files, using this automated tool.
This tool allows you to retrieve all your lost files that disappear in everyday situations from accidental or permanent deletion, hard disk formatting, malware intrusion, or disk damage incidents. User access to the software requires just a few steps to complete a full recovery. Recover Shift deleted files for free by following the given instructions:
Final Verdict
If you have deleted a file, you must stop using the system, as saving more data will hamper the chances of recovery. Follow the recovery methods discussed in this article to recover deleted files on MS Windows using Windows backup tools (such as File History and Backup & Restore) in addition to Microsoft File Recovery. Beginner users who struggle with Microsoft File Recovery should consider the best alternative option provided by BLR tools. This user-friendly tool enables file recovery of any type when dealing with common data loss situations like erasure, drive reformatting, or media corruption.
