I accidentally deleted some important files from my Windows computer and emptied the Recycle Bin. I need these files back for a project and I’m not sure what to do. Can someone guide me on the best methods or tools to recover erased files on Windows?
Oh man, I feel your pain. Been there, done that. So, here’s the scoop on recovering your deleted files on Windows, even after emptying the Recycle Bin.
First off, try to stop using the computer immediately to avoid overwriting the deleted data. Then, you’ve got a few options:
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File History: If you had File History enabled, you might be able to restore previous versions of your files. Navigate to the folder where your deleted files were, right-click and select ‘Restore previous versions’.
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Backup: Did you have backups? Any external drive or cloud services like OneDrive or Google Drive? It’s a long shot, but worth checking.
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Recovery Software: This is likely your best bet if the above didn’t work. There are several good file recovery tools available. One highly recommended tool is Disk Drill. It’s designed to recover various types of files and has a pretty solid track record. Just download it, run a scan, and it should help you get those crucial files back.
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Professional Recovery Services: If the files are super important and you can’t recover them with software, you might need to turn to professional data recovery services. It’s pricey, but sometimes worth every penny.
Of course, a bit of prevention for next time: regularly back up your files and maybe consider using a cloud storage solution.
Hang in there!
@himmelsjager gave some solid advice, but just to mix things up a bit, let’s explore some alternative routes you could try. You might find these less common methods helpful, as they can sometimes work wonders:
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Shadow Explorer: If you’re using Windows 10 or newer, and have System Protection enabled, Shadow Explorer might work for you. It taps into the shadow copies Windows occasionally makes. Download it, follow the easy GUI, and you might just see your files there.
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Windows Backup and Restore: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). If you see any recent backups, you can try restoring files from there.
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System Restore: A wildcard, but worth mentioning. Sometimes a system restore point can bring back deleted files. Just type ‘System Restore’ in your Start menu and follow the prompts. It won’t affect your personal files but may revert system settings to a previous time.
Recovery software definitely works, but be aware there’s always a risk of overwriting your lost data with new data. Disk Drill is popular, yet another app to check out is Recuva. It’s free and might be enough for your needs if Disk Drill doesn’t do the trick or isn’t your thing.
- Command Line: For those who love to get their hands dirty, you can try using the Command Prompt. But careful, it’s a bit risky. Open as administrator and use commands like
chkdskandattrib -h -r -s /s /d.
Lastly, if your files are worth more than gold, professional data recovery services can be the nuclear option. Just be prepared to shell out some serious dough.
And please, for the love of all things tech, enable auto backups moving forward and consider syncing important documents to a cloud service like OneDrive or Google Drive. This is your failsafe for any digital cataclysm.
Here, if you’re interested: recover lost files with Disk Drill. It has a friendly user interface and works pretty darn well for most scenarios.
Hope this helps, and may the recovery gods be with you!
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If you’re up for a bit of tech adventure, consider these alternative methods:
Firstly, if you have the system protection feature enabled on Windows, give Shadow Explorer a whirl. This tool can help you access the shadow copies that Windows sometimes creates. Download it, and you might find your files hidden among the shadows.
Another route could be Windows Backup and Restore. Check if you have any backups through Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7). You might luck out with a recent backup containing your files.
For the brave at heart, open the Command Prompt to use commands like chkdsk or attrib -h -r -s /s /d. It’s a higher risk, but it could potentially dig out those lost files.
System Restore isn’t typically used for file recovery, but it can sometimes bring your system back to a state where those files existed. Search ‘System Restore’ in your Start menu and follow the steps.
Regarding the recovery software mentioned earlier, Disk Drill is solid with a very user-friendly interface. It supports a wide array of file types and has a decent success rate. However, be aware it’s not free - but considering what’s at stake, it could be worth it.
Another competitor, Recuva, is also a popular choice and offers a free version. But, it might not be as polished or have as high a recovery rate as Disk Drill.
Pros of Disk Drill:
- User-friendly interface
- Supports many file types
- High recovery rate
Cons of Disk Drill:
- Not free
- Large files take longer to scan
Bottom line? Backup frequently and consider cloud storage for crucial files. Best of luck!