If you have lost important documents and files from your Windows PC, either accidentally or intentionally, don’t lose hope. Whether your files are deleted due to accidental deletion, formatting, virus attacks, or any other reason, there’s always a chance to restore them. Windows OS provides several built-in recovery utilities that you can use to restore files lost from your device. Additionally, several Windows data recovery software tools are also available online that can help you with easy data recovery.
In this article, we will explore common recovery workarounds to help you learn how to recover lost files from Windows PC. Let’s begin!
What Causes File Deletion on Windows?
There are several reasons, ranging from human error to system failure, why any important file gets deleted from your Windows device. Understanding these causes helps you identify adequate recovery workaround and preventive tips to avoid in the future. Below are some main reasons for data loss:
- Accidental Deletion: User error or unintentional deletion is one of the main reasons for your file deletion. You may have deleted files while deleting unnecessary files/folders or while emptying the Recycle Bin.
- Software Issues: Installing software from unauthorized sources generates bugs, leading to file corruption or deletion issues.
- Virus or Malware Attacks: Malicious programs are a significant threat to file security. They can corrupt or encrypt files and sometimes lead to data loss.
- Hardware Failures: Mechanical damage or wear and tear of PC components or external storage can make stored files inaccessible.
- Disk Formatting or Partitioning: If you format or create a partition on your storage device without proper backup, it deletes all the files stored on your device.
Best Methods to Recover Lost Files or Documents on Windows PC
- Recover Lost Files from the Recycle Bin
- Use the Search Function to Find Lost Files
- Check Temporary Files
- Recover Files Using File History Backup
- Use Third-Party Recovery Software
- Check Cloud Backups
- Contact Professional Data Recovery Service
Let’s check these methods in detail:
Method 01: Recover Lost Files from Recycle Bin
Every deleted file on your Windows PC goes to the Recycle Bin folder and remains there until it is permanently removed or for 30 days (after which it gets automatically deleted). To recover your lost files from the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:
- Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon from your desktop or search for it in the Start menu.
- Browse through the deleted files and select the files or documents you want to restore.
- Once found, right-click on any selected file and select the Restore option to save them to their original location.
Note: Files deleted using the Shift + Del key shortcut are permanently removed, bypassing the Recycle Bin. In such cases, the above steps won’t work and you need to apply other recovery methods.
Method 02: Search for the File
Sometimes, the files are not actually deleted but misplaced. You can use Windows’ search functionality to find your missing file. All you have to do is:
- Firstly, press the Windows + S keys or click the search box in the taskbar.
- Type the file name you are looking for and press Enter. (If you don’t know the exact name, enter a part of it or search for the file type e.g., *.docx for Word documents).
- Now, right-click on your file and select Open file location to open your missing file’s location.
- Lastly, save the found file at a safe location on your device.
Method 03: Check Temporary Files
Many applications, like Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. installed on your Windows PC are provided with a built-in Temporary file feature which saves temporary versions of files. You can use this option to recover files when the application crashes unexpectedly or you have closed the file without saving. For this:
- Press the Windows + R keys and type %temp% in the Run prompt. Press the Enter key to open the Temp folder containing temporary files.
- Browse through the available files and locate the file(s) with extensions like .tmp.
- Copy the file to another location. You can also rename the file with an appropriate extension (e.g., .docx for Word documents).
Method 04: Recover Files Using File History Backup
If you are good at maintaining backups, then the Windows File History backup utility can help you restore lost documents and files. This backup utility allows you to recover previous versions of the missing files, assuming it’s been enabled before.
Follow the below steps to recover your lost documents and files from a Windows PC using File History backup:
- Go to the folder where your deleted file was earlier stored.
- Right-click on that folder and select Restore previous versions.
- Browse through the list of available backups and choose the most recent one. Click Restore to save the selected backup file at its original location.
Note: This feature must be enabled prior to losing files. If it’s not active, proceed to other recovery methods.
Method 05: Use Third-Party Windows Data Recovery Software
When built-in methods fail, try third-party Windows data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Standard to restore your lost files. This all-in-one recovery tool completely scans your Windows PC for recoverable files and even restores files which are permanently deleted or if the storage drive is formatted. You can use this recovery software to restore deleted photos, videos, documents, and other types of files in a few simple clicks.
To recover deleted files using the Stellar Data Recovery Standard software, follow the below steps one-by-one:
Step 1: Firstly, download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool on your Windows PC. Launch the software and from the homepage, select the type of data you need to recover and click Next.
Step 2: Choose the folder location where the deleted file was stored earlier and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
Step 3: Once the scan is done, preview the recovered files and click the Recover button to save them at the desired location on your device.
Method 06: Check Cloud Backups
Cloud backup services like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox are also popular tools to recover files deleted on your Windows PC. These services often have a trash or recycle bin feature which temporarily stores deleted files. Here’s how:
- Log in to your cloud storage account via the app or its website.
- Go to the Recently Deleted or Trash folder.
- Locate the file you want to recover and click the Restore button.
Method 07: Contact Professional Data Recovery Services
If all the aforementioned Windows data recovery methods fail to restore your lost documents and files, professional data recovery services can help. These services use advanced techniques to recover data from severely damaged or corrupted drives.
Tips:
- Don’t save any new files on your Windows PC to prevent data overwriting.
- Perform deep research before opting for any professional service for your data recovery.
Conclusion
Whatever is the reason for the deletion of documents or files on your Windows PC, all the aforementioned Windows data recovery methods will help you in recovery. Start by checking the Recycle Bin folder or any previously created backups. If these manual workarounds fail, use third-party Windows data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Standard to restore missing files in no time. Once the file is restored successfully, create its backup at a safe and secure location to prevent future data loss.
