Forum Discussion
How can I recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10?
Hi everyone,
I'm reaching out to the community in hopes of finding a solution to a problem I've recently encountered. I've accidentally permanently deleted some important files from my Windows 10 PC, and I'm desperately trying to recover them. These files were not just moved to the Recycle Bin but were permanently deleted, and now I'm looking for any possible way to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10.
I'm aware that there might be software or Windows features that could assist in recovering these files, but I'm unsure where to start or which tools are most reliable for this purpose. I'm particularly interested in any built-in Windows features or reputable software recommendations that could help with file recovery.
- When you delete a file, it's only marked as deleted, not actually erased. However, if you continue using your computer, the deleted files may be overwritten, making them unrecoverable. Stop using your computer and don't install any updates or run disk cleanup tools until you've recovered the deleted files on Windows 10.
Windows 10 uses NTFS (New Technology File System) as its default file system. If you're using an external hard drive or a USB drive, it may use a different file system like FAT32 or exFAT. Make sure to choose a recovery tool that supports your file system. Holaway Windows Backup is a built-in feature in Windows 10 that allows you to create copies of your files, settings, and system images to protect your data against loss due to accidental deletion, hardware failure, or other issues. It includes two main tools:
Backup and Restore: This tool allows you to create backups of your files, as well as a system image backup, which is a complete snapshot of your system at a particular point in time.
File History: This is a continuous backup feature that automatically backs up copies of your personal files to an external drive or network location at regular intervals.
The above two features are very helpful for recovering permanently deleted files on Windows 10 PC. Please check them out first!
Luismin +1 for Backup and Restore. It is a legacy feature available on Windows 10 that was originally introduced in Windows 7. It allows you to create backups of your personal files and system images, which can be used to restore your system or individual files in case of data loss. Although it’s an older tool, it’s still effective for creating scheduled backups and restoring data.
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Windows 10:
Step 1: Open Control Panel and navigate to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
Step 2: Under the Restore section, click on Restore my files.
Step 3: In the Restore Files window, you can search for the files by name or browse through the backup to find the files or folders you want to restore.
Step 4: Select the files or folders you wish to recover and click Next.
Step 5: Choose the location where you want to restore the files. You can either restore them to their original location or choose a different location.
Step 6: Click Restore to recover your files.
Holaway When using the stock Backup and Restore utility to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10 PC, there are several things you should be noted. During file recovery, Backup and Restore allows you to recover the most recent version or choose from previous versions. Please select the correct version to avoid overwriting important changes.
In addition, you need to decide whether to restore files to their original location or a new location. Restoring to a new location can prevent accidental overwriting of newer files. Also, periodically test your backups by restoring a few files to ensure that the backup process is working correctly and that the files can be recovered without issues.
While this feature can be a lifesaver in case of data loss, there are some limitations to consider when using it to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 10. Backup and Restore only backs up and restores personal files, like documents, pictures, and videos. It doesn't support system files, programs, or other types of data. Even if you use Backup and Restore, there's no guarantee that you'll be able to recover all your deleted files. The tool might not be able to retrieve files that were deleted a while ago, especially if they've been overwritten by new data.
Sometimes, the recovery process can result in corrupted files or unexpected changes to the original file structure. This can lead to more headaches than you started with! Using Backup and Restore requires manual effort and patience. You'll need to navigate through the Control Panel, search for the files, and select the ones you want to recover. It's not a quick or seamless process.Holaway Please give a try on the File History solution. File History is a feature in Windows 10 that automatically backs up copies of your personal files, such as documents, photos, music, and videos, to an external drive or network location. Unlike traditional backup solutions, File History continuously monitors your files and saves versions of them as they change over time. This allows you to recover previous versions of your files if they are accidentally modified, deleted, or corrupted.
How to Recover permanently deleted files with File History:
Step 1: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
Step 2: Click on Restore personal files on the left panel.
Step 3: Use the navigation pane to browse through your backed-up files and locate the one you want to restore.
Step 4: Select the file and click the green Restore button at the bottom of the window. The file will be restored to its original location.Holaway Important notes for using File History to recover deleted files on Windows:
Enabled Feature: File History must be enabled before the file was deleted for it to be recoverable using this method.
Backup Frequency: Regularly check and adjust the backup frequency and retention settings to ensure that all important files are backed up and retained as long as needed.
Version Control: File History allows you to restore different versions of files, which can be particularly useful if a file was modified or corrupted before being deleted.- Sure! File History is pretty cool and can recover permanently deleted files on Windows computer when you accidentally delete stuff, but as i know, File History doesn't just magically know you want to back up your files. You have to set it up beforehand, If it wasn't running before you hit that delete button, you're out of luck! It backs up files to an external drive or network location, and those can fill up pretty fast. If you're saving a bunch of huge files or have limited space on your backup drive, File History might delete older versions to make room for new ones. So, if you're hoping to restore something from months ago, it might not be there anymore. Talk about a letdown!
Holaway Surprisingly, no one recommend the Windows File Recovery app? It is a command-line tool developed by Microsoft that is available for free in the Microsoft Store. It is designed to help users recover lost or permanently deleted files on Windows 10. This tool can recover a wide range of file types, including photos, documents, videos, and more, from various storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards.
The basic syntax of the command for recovering deleted files on Windows:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool, so it does not have a graphical user interface (GUI). Familiarity with command-line operations is beneficial.
Eliseour You forgot to mention the basic modes of Windows File Recovery app. And this is very important for retrieving permanently deleted files on Windows PC. These modes are used for different recovery scenarios:
- Default Mode: For recently deleted files (NTFS file systems).
- Segment Mode: For files deleted a while ago, where metadata is partially available.
- Signature Mode: For recovering files from non-NTFS file systems, like FAT, exFAT, and ReFS.
Note: Windows File Recovery works best with NTFS file systems. For other file systems (like FAT or exFAT), use Signature Mode.
I totally get the frustration of accidentally deleting important files—I’ve been there! The good news is, it’s not the end of the world.
I’ve personally used Aiesesoft Data Recovery, and it worked like magic to recover permanently deleted files.
I followed this tutorial: (worked for me)
https://www.gicmodo.com/recover-permanently-deleted-files-from-windows-11-10
It’s super easy to use, scans your drive thoroughly, and supports a wide range of file types. Just install it, select the drive to scan, and let it do its thing. It’s like a lifesaver when you think all hope is lost. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
