How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 7
Part 1 of 4:
Recovering from the Recycle Bin
- Double-click "Recycle Bin". This program should be on your desktop.
- Right-click your deleted file.
- Click Restore.
- Exit Recycle Bin. Your deleted file should now be on your desktop!
Part 2 of 4:
Restoring Files Using a Backup
- Click ⊞ Win. Windows 7 automatically saves versions of your files from previous backups; if you recently deleted your files, you may be able to restore them using a backup.
- Click Control Panel.
- Click System and Maintenance.
- Click Backup and Restore.
- Click Restore my files.
- Click the file(s) you wish to restore. You can search through your backed up files in three ways:[1]
- Click Search to type in a file's name.
- Click Browse for Files to manually click through destination folders.
- Click Browse for Folders to manually search for folders specifically.
- Click Next.
- Click a restore destination. You can restore to the original destination (default) or you can click the radio button next to "In the following location" and then browse for a restoration point.
- Click View Restored Files.
- Click Finish. Your files should now be restored!
Part 3 of 4:
Restoring Files from a Previous Version
- Double-click "My Computer". If this app isn't on your desktop, click ⊞ Win and then click "My Computer" on the right side of the menu.
- Double-click the file's old location. For example, if it was in the "Music" folder, double-click that.
- Right-click the file's specific location. For example, if the file lived in the "iTunes" subfolder, you would right-click "iTunes".
- Click Restore previous versions.
- Click a restore point.
- Click OK. If you have File History enabled, your file should restore to your desktop![2]
Part 4 of 4:
Using the Recuva App
- Open the Recuva website. Recuva is a free app that scans your hard drive for deleted files; since files don't actually disappear completely from your drive when you delete them, there's a chance you'll be able to recover the file.
- Click Free Download.
- Click a download link.
- Wait for your download to finish. In the meantime, make sure you have the file's download destination folder (e.g., your desktop) open.
- Double-click the Recuva setup. If prompted, you will have to confirm that you want to allow Recuva to access your computer.
- Click "No thanks, I don't need CCleaner".
- Click Install.
- Click Run Recuva. If you don't want to view the release notes, you can click the checkbox next to "View Release Notes" below the Install button.
- Click Next.
- Select a file type. If you aren't sure which type of document you need, click the radio button next to "All Files".
- An All Files scan will take a long time to complete.
- Click Next.
- Select a file location. If you don't know where to start, click the radio button next to "I'm not sure".
- Click Next.
- Click "Start". If this is your second scan with Recuva, also click the box next to "Enable Deep Scan".
- Click the boxes next to files you wish to recover.
- Click Recover.
- Click a restore point. For example, you might click "Desktop".
- Click OK. Your file(s) will begin restoring!
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