How to recover deleted files in Windows 10

Windows 10 has 2 deletion modes are delete to the recycle bin (Recycle Bin) and delete permanently (Delete Permanently). However, even if you permanently delete files (due to the size being too large or set to delete them straight), your computer won't completely remove them, at least not right away. These files still exist on your drive, but are marked as inaccessible data.

They are only overwritten, if there is new data due to the use of your computer. Therefore, if you ever need to recover them, you should immediately stop using your computer. You should close all running software and avoid writing new data to your computer's drive for more opportunities. Then, you do the following:

1. Undo delete operation (Undo Delete)

You may not notice this, but you can undo the deletion if you accidentally pressed the delete button in Windows 10. However, keep in mind that this will not work. if you have logged out or restarted your computer. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open Windows File Explorer, then access the folder containing the deleted files.

Step 2. Right-click on any empty space in that folder, then choose Undo Move from the drop-down menu (shortcut Ctrl + Z), to recover the deleted files.

2. Using File History

If you have opened File History to save the file history, proceed with the following steps:

Step 1. Type Restore your files with File History in the search bar, next to the Start button, and then select the result.

Step 2. In the File History window, navigate to the folder containing the deleted files.

Step 3. Select the deleted files, then click the Restore button. Your files will be restored to their original location.

3. Using the 'Backup and Restore' feature

If you created a backup using Windows 7 Backup and Restore tool, you can still use it to recover deleted files in Windows 10. Steps are as follows:

Step 1. Type Backup settings in the search bar, next to the Start button, and then select the result.

Step 2. Click Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 3. In the Backup and Restore window that opens, select Select another backup to restore files from.

Step 4. In the Restore Files window, find out if there are old backups containing your deleted files. If you find a suitable backup, select it, then click Next.

Step 5. In the next window, select Select all files from this backup, and then click Next. The recovery process will start and you will get all the files back when it's done.

Alternatively, if you have created a System restore point, you can also use it to restore your files. A system restore point will help you discard recent changes and return your computer to its old state.

To make things easier, Microsoft also offers a Windows File Recovery tool. This is a very effective free data recovery tool that can help you quickly find lost files.

Lesley Montoya

Update 01 April 2021