Recover Deleted Files FAST in Windows 10 (Easy Guide)

How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10: A Complete Guide for Casual Gadget Users

Have you ever accidentally deleted a file on your Windows 10 PC and wondered how to get it back? Or maybe you emptied your Recycle Bin without realizing that there was something important in it. Don’t panic, you’re not alone. Data loss is a common problem that affects millions of users every year. But the good news is that there are ways to recover your deleted files, even if they seem to be gone forever.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to recover deleted files in Windows 10 using different methods, from the simplest to the most advanced. We’ll also explain what causes data loss, how to prevent it, and how to improve your data security. Whether you’re a beginner or a tech-savvy user, you’ll find something useful in this guide.

By the end of this post, you’ll be able to:

Restore deleted files from the Recycle Bin

Use Windows File Recovery to recover files from different storage devices

Use third-party data recovery software to recover files from corrupted or formatted drives

Use backup services or tools to restore files from previous versions

Ready to learn how to recover deleted files in Windows 10? Let’s get started!

What Causes Data Loss in Windows 10?

Data loss can happen for various reasons, such as:

Human error: You may delete a file by mistake, overwrite it with another file, or move it to a different location and forget about it.

Software issues: A program may crash, freeze, or malfunction, causing you to lose unsaved work or corrupt your files.

Hardware malfunction: Your hard drive, SSD, USB drive, or memory card may fail, break, or get damaged, making your files inaccessible or unreadable.

Unpredictable disasters: A power outage, a virus attack, a ransomware infection, a fire, a flood, or a theft may destroy your device or your files.

Upgrading gone wrong: You may lose some files during the process of upgrading your operating system, installing new software, or changing your settings.

Depending on the cause and severity of data loss, you may be able to recover your files using different methods. In the next sections, we’ll show you how to do that.

How to Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin in Windows 10

The first and easiest method to recover deleted files in Windows 10 is to check the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a special folder that stores the files you delete from your PC. Unless you permanently delete a file (by pressing Shift+Delete) or empty the Recycle Bin, the file should still be there and available for recovery.

To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:

Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.

Find and select the files you want to recover. You can use the search bar, the sort options, or the Ctrl and Shift keys to choose multiple files at once.

Right-click the selected files and choose Restore. This will return the files to their original location.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop the files from the Recycle Bin to any folder you want.

If you can’t find the files you’re looking for in the Recycle Bin, don’t worry. There are other methods you can try to recover them.

How to Use Windows File Recovery to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10

Windows File Recovery is a free command-line tool that Microsoft provides for Windows 10 users. It can help you recover deleted files from different storage devices, such as internal or external hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. It can also recover files from different file systems, such as NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and ReFS.

To use Windows File Recovery, you need to have another drive or device to store the recovered files. You can’t recover files to the same drive where they were deleted, as this may overwrite the data and make it unrecoverable.

To use Windows File Recovery, follow these steps:

Download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

Launch the tool by typing info in the Windows Search field and clicking Windows File Recovery in the search results. This will open a command prompt window.

Enter the command to recover your files, following this syntax:

info source-drive: destination-drive: /switches

source-drive: is the drive where the files were deleted.

destination-drive: is the drive where you want to save the recovered files.

/switches are the options that specify the mode, the file name, the file type, and other parameters for the recovery.

For example, to recover all deleted files from drive C: to drive D: using the regular mode, you would enter the:

info C: D: /Regular

To recover a specific file type, such as .docx, from drive C: to drive D: using the extensive mode, you would enter:

info C: D: /extensive /n *.docx

To see a summary of the syntax and switches, you can enter:

info/?

To see more details and examples, you can enter:

info/!

Wait for the tool to scan the source drive and recover the files. Depending on the size of the drive and the number of files, this may take some time.

Check the destination drive for the recovered files. They should be organized in folders named after the source drive and the date of the recovery.

Windows File Recovery is a powerful tool, but it’s not very user-friendly. If you prefer a graphical interface and more features, you may want to use third-party data recovery software instead.

How to Use Third-Party Data Recovery Software to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10

Third-party data recovery software are application that can help you recover deleted files in Windows 10 with a few clicks. They usually have a simple and intuitive interface, and they can recover files from various scenarios, such as accidental deletion, formatting, corruption, virus infection, and more.

There are many data recovery software available on the market, but some of the most popular and reliable ones are:

Recuva: A free and easy-to-use tool that can recover files from any rewritable media, such as hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, and more. It can also recover files from damaged or formatted disks, and it has a deep scan mode for more thorough recovery.

Glarysoft File Recovery Free: A free and powerful tool that can recover files from various devices and file systems, such as NTFS, FAT, exFAT, and more. It can also recover files from lost partitions, and it has a filter option to narrow down the search results by name, size, date, and state.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A professional and comprehensive tool that can recover files from all kinds of data loss situations, such as deletion, formatting, partition loss, OS crash, virus attack, and more. It can also recover files from various devices and file systems, and it has a preview option to check the files before recovery.

To use a third-party data recovery software to recover deleted files in Windows 10, follow these general steps:

Download and install the data recovery software of your choice. Make sure you don’t install it on the same drive where the files were deleted, as this may overwrite the data and make it unrecoverable.

Launch the data recovery software and select the drive or device where the files were deleted. Click Scan or Next to start the scanning process.

Wait for the software to scan the drive or device and find the deleted files. Depending on the size of the drive and the number of files, this may take some time. You can pause or stop the scan at any time, or use the filter or search options to find the files you want more quickly.

Select the files you want to recover and click Recover or Next. Choose a different drive or device to save the recovered files. Don’t save them on the same drive where they were deleted, as this may overwrite the data and make it unrecoverable.

Check the destination drive or device for the recovered files. They should be restored to their original location or a folder named after the data recovery software.

Third-party data recovery software can be very effective and convenient, but they’re not always 100% successful. Sometimes, the files may be partially or fully overwritten, corrupted, or encrypted, making them impossible to recover. In such cases, you may need to use a backup service or tool to restore the files from a previous version.

How to Use Backup Services or Tools to Restore Deleted Files in Windows 10

Backup services or tools are applications that can help you create and restore copies of your files from a different location, such as an external drive, a cloud storage, or a network share. They can be very useful for preventing data loss and recovering deleted files in Windows 10, especially if you have a regular backup schedule.

There are many backup services or tools available on the market, but some of the most popular and reliable ones are:

File History: A built-in feature in Windows 10 that can automatically back up your files to an external drive or a network location. You can choose which files and folders to back up, how often to back up, and how long to keep

Now you have a toolkit to tackle deleted file mishaps in Windows 10. Remember, prevention is key:

Backup regularly: Set up automatic backups to a different drive or cloud storage.

Be mindful: Double-check before deleting!

Use data recovery tools responsibly: Don't overwrite lost data!

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Try recovering a "deleted" file using the Recycle Bin. If you have any questions, leave a comment below!

Sources

30+ Data Breach Statistics (2024 Data and Trends) - The Tech Report: This source provides data on the causes, costs, and trends of data breaches, as well as some tips on how to prevent them. You can use this to highlight the importance of data security and backup for businesses and individuals.

Business Data Loss and Disaster Recovery Statistics in 2024 - Comparitech: This source offers statistics on the impact of data loss and the benefits of disaster recovery for businesses. You can use this to show how data recovery software can help businesses minimize downtime and losses in case of data loss.

11 Data Loss Statistics to Know in 2024 | TrueList: This source summarizes some key facts and figures about data loss and its consequences. You can use this to grab the attention of your readers and emphasize the need for data recovery solutions.

Best data recovery software of 2024 | TechRadar: This source reviews and compares some of the best data recovery software available in 2024, based on features, performance, and price. You can use this to recommend some of the top options for your readers and explain their pros and cons.

The 21 Best Free Data Recovery Software Tools of 2024 - Lifewire: This source lists and evaluates some of the best free data recovery software tools in 2024, based on ease of use, functionality, and compatibility. You can use this to suggest some of the free alternatives for your readers and describe their strengths and weaknesses.

Best Data Recovery Software Of 2024 – Forbes Advisor: This source ranks and analyzes some of the best data recovery software of 2024, based on criteria such as recovery rate, user interface, file types, and customer support. You can use this to provide a more authoritative and comprehensive perspective on the best data recovery software in the market.

The Best Data Recovery Software of 2024 | U.S. News: This source rates and discusses some of the best data recovery software of 2024, based on factors such as ease of use, recovery speed, file formats, and device compatibility. You can use this to give a more objective and balanced view of the best data recovery software for different needs and preferences.

20 Best Data Recovery Software for Windows in 2024 [Reviews]: This source reviews and compares some of the best data recovery software for Windows in 2024, based on features, performance, and reliability. You can use this to focus on the best data recovery software for Windows users and explain its advantages and disadvantages.

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