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Suttonchu's avatar
Suttonchu
Copper Contributor
Jul 31, 2024
Solved

Can you recover deleted files after emptying the recycle bin?

I recently encountered a problem where I accidentally emptied my Recycle Bin on my Windows 11 PC, and lost several important files that I hadn't intended to delete. I understand that once the Recycle Bin is emptied, the files aren't easily recoverable, but I’m hoping there might still be a way to get them back. Has anyone else experienced this issue and successfully recover deleted files after emptying the recycle bin?

 

I’ve read that it might be possible to recover deleted files using specialized data recovery software. If anyone has recommendations for reliable tools or methods that can help retrieve files after they’ve been permanently deleted, I would greatly appreciate your advice.  

  • I also accidentally deleted important files when I emptied the Recycle Bin before, and I successfully recovered them with Aiseeesoft Data Recovery! It is easy to operate, has a fast scanning speed, and supports the recovery of multiple file types. If you encounter this situation, try it now, the sooner you recover, the higher the success rate!

    I followed this tutorial:

    https://www.uumeo.com/recover-deleted-files-after-emptied-recycle-bin

     

     

11 Replies

  • Jsheon's avatar
    Jsheon
    Copper Contributor

    The good news is, even though those files are technically marked as "gone," they're not immediately wiped from your drive. Instead, Windows just flags that space as available for new data, which means there’s still a chance to recover the files as long as they haven’t been overwritten yet.

    It's not that difficult to retrieve lost files if you had File History or Backup and Restore (Windows 7) turned on beforehand. This guide walks you through how to use these built-in Windows tools to get your data back.

    https://pcsite.co.uk/recover-deleted-files-from-recycle-bin-after-emptying/

    Windows File Recovery. It's a command-line tool from Microsoft that can help recover deleted files, including those removed from the Recycle Bin. It takes a bit more effort to use since it’s not a graphical interface, but it’s a solid option if you’re comfortable running a few commands. You can download it from the Microsoft Store.

  • Suttonchu   If you find yourself unable to recover deleted files after emptying the recycle bin by your own, it is essential to seek professional help. Data recovery can be a complex process, especially if the data loss is due to severe corruption, hardware failure, or accidental formatting. Professional data recovery workshops have specialized tools and expertise that can greatly increase the chances of successful data retrieval. They can handle various storage devices and complex recovery scenarios that are beyond the capabilities of standard recovery software.

     

    Taking your device to a data recovery workshop ensures that your data is handled with care and confidentiality. These professionals are trained to manage sensitive data and employ methods that minimize the risk of further data loss. Additionally, they can provide a comprehensive analysis and recovery plan tailored to your specific situation. Entrusting your data recovery needs to experts not only maximizes the likelihood of getting your files back but also saves you time and potential frustration.

  • Quinnojin's avatar
    Quinnojin
    Copper Contributor

    This is a common error for Windows 11 user and a lot of folks asking "How to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin after empty? " If the methods above don’t help you recover your deleted data or if the data is extremely important, you might want to look into professional data recovery services.


    These services use advanced tools and techniques to recover data from damaged, corrupted, or otherwise inaccessible storage devices such as hard drives, SSDs, and memory cards. Although these services can be expensive, they generally provide a higher success rate, particularly in situations involving physical damage or significant data loss. When selecting a data recovery service, make sure to research reputable companies that employ certified technicians and have clean room facilities to guarantee the safety and integrity of your data.

    • KaiKain's avatar
      KaiKain
      Copper Contributor
      No. Data recovery service is too expensive!!! Instead, using data recovery software is a more cost-effective and popular option for recovering deleted files after emptying the Recycle Bin.

      Data recovery software can scan your storage device for remnants of deleted files and restore them with a high success rate. Many of these programs are user-friendly and offer free trials, allowing you to see if your files can be recovered before purchasing the full version.
  • Wayneyan's avatar
    Wayneyan
    Iron Contributor
    To recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin, success hinges on a variety of factors, including how much time has passed since deletion and whether the data has been overwritten. If you've inadvertently deleted important files, it’s advisable to try recovery as soon as possible to maximize your chances. Just remember to avoid using the drive where the files were deleted until you attempt recovery, as this could overwrite the files you want to restore.
  • Nalllop's avatar
    Nalllop
    Copper Contributor
    You can recover deleted files after emptying the Recycle Bin using Command Prompt. Running chkdsk provides a double benefit: it not only tries to find lost files but also checks your drive's health. I once used it after having issues with my hard drive, and it found some errors that I didn’t even know existed. It’s like a health check for your storage!
  • Mondadorii's avatar
    Mondadorii
    Copper Contributor
    Recovering deleted files from OneDrive after you've emptied your Recycle Bin on Windows 11 is pretty handy, one of the best things about OneDrive is you can go back to earlier versions of files. If you messed up a document or accidentally deleted something amazing, you can just restore it to how it was a few days ago.

    Just logging into your OneDrive account and browsing your backups is super straightforward. I've had panic moments where I thought I lost something important, but just hopping onto OneDrive and checking our saved files felt.
  • Ayaankk's avatar
    Ayaankk
    Copper Contributor

    Even Microsoft provides a tool for data recovery (Windows File Recovery), you can download it from App Store. However, it's not as user-friendly as many other programs. This tool operates through the command line, requiring you to type out all the commands. Despite this, it's still relatively straightforward.

     

    To recover deleted files after emptying the Recycle Bin, first download and install Windows File Recovery. Then, search for it in the Start menu to open it. Once you see a screen similar to the one above, you can enter a command like the following to recover PNG images from your C drive's Downloads folder and copy them to the Images folder on a drive called E::

     

    winfr C: E: /n \Downloads\*.png /n \Images

     

    This command specifies the source and destination paths, enabling you to retrieve your deleted PNG files efficiently.

     

    P.S. You can only use this free data recovery tool on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    • TylerWallace's avatar
      TylerWallace
      Bronze Contributor

      I also accidentally deleted important files when I emptied the Recycle Bin before, and I successfully recovered them with Aiseeesoft Data Recovery! It is easy to operate, has a fast scanning speed, and supports the recovery of multiple file types. If you encounter this situation, try it now, the sooner you recover, the higher the success rate!

      I followed this tutorial:

      https://www.uumeo.com/recover-deleted-files-after-emptied-recycle-bin

       

       

  • Carllent's avatar
    Carllent
    Brass Contributor
    Recovering deleted files after emptying the Recycle Bin via Command Prompt can be quite challenging and is often not recommended as the primary method due to the complexity and lower success rate compared to using specialized data recovery software. However, you can try using the chkdsk command, which might help recover lost files if they haven't been overwritten.

    chkdsk X: /f

    This command will check the file system and file system metadata of the drive for logical and physical errors.

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