How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Computer  

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Computer

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 | by Edwards

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To recover deleted files on your computer, you need to determine the type of deletion that occurred. If you deleted files by moving them to the Recycle Bin, you can simply restore them from there. If you deleted files permanently, you can try retrieving them from previous versions. However, if you've permanently deleted files and they're no longer visible on your computer, you may need to use a file recovery tool like Qiling to recover them.

People often search online for ways to recover permanently deleted files on their computer, but the answer depends on how the file was deleted. If a file was deleted using the Recycle Bin, it may still be recoverable, but if it was permanently deleted using Shift + Delete or a file shredder, recovery may be more challenging or impossible. There are various methods that can be used to recover deleted files, but the success of these methods depends on the specific circumstances of the deletion.

From Delete Key or Right-clicking and deleted file:

If you've deleted a file by using the delete key or right-clicking and choosing delete, the file is moved to the Recycle Bin. To recover it, right-click on the Recycle Bin, select "Open" from the context menu, and find the file you want to recover. You can then click on the file to restore it to its original location.

Step 1: Open the Recycle bin and locate your file.

Step 2: Right-Click the files you want to restore and select "Restore".

Step 3: This will save the files to its original location.

Deleting Files from Shift + Delete keys:

If you've used the shortcut Shift + Delete to delete files, they won't be in the recycle bin and will be permanently deleted, but can be recovered with specialized software.

Deleting/Permanently deleting files by File Explorer's Ribbon:

To delete files from File Explorer, browse and select the files to be deleted, then click on the Home tab on the ribbon and use the Delete button. This action will remove the selected item(s) and move them to the Recycle Bin, where they can be restored if needed.

If you've chosen the "permanently delete" option, your file won't be in the recycle bin. Instead, specialized software like Deep Data Recovery can be used to recover it.

Permanently deleting files using Command Prompt(Windows 11/10):

If you've deleted files using Command Prompt in Windows 10, by copying the path to the file, the files are deleted permanently and won't be found in the Recycle Bin.

Deleting files by using specialized software:

If you've used professional software like Qiling File Shredder, your files are permanently deleted and can't be recovered, not even from the Recycle Bin. This is a good option if you want to delete files irreversibly.

3 Ways to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Computer

If you've permanently deleted files from your computer that can't be found in the Recycle Bin, there are methods available to help you recover them.

Method 1: Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Computer with Software

Deep Data Recovery is a software tool designed to retrieve permanently deleted files from various storage devices.

Your Effective Permanently Deleted File Software

  • This data recovery software is easy to use and highly effective, allowing you to recover permanently deleted files with just 3 simple steps. It efficiently finds the lost files for you.
  • This software offers a complete file recovery solution, allowing you to retrieve all lost data from your hard drive and other removable drives, compatible with Windows 10/8/7/XP operating systems.
  • Data recovery software can help in various scenarios, including recovering data after accidental deletion, emptying the recycle bin, or formatting a drive, as well as recovering files or partitions that have been lost due to a virus, malware, or incorrect operation. The software can even recover data from a RAW drive, making it a valuable tool for recovering lost data in a wide range of situations.
  • It can recover permanently deleted documents, videos, pictures, audio files, and other types of digital content.

Steps to Recover Permanently Deleted Files with Deep Data Recovery

Step 1: Download Deep Data Recovery, launch the app, and on the desktop screen, unselect unwanted file types, then press "Next".

recover permanently deleted files on computer

Step 2: If a file was deleted from an external hard drive, connect it to the computer and select the location where the file was deleted. Click on "Scan" and the application will scan all the permanently deleted files from that location.

drive list

Step 3: After the scan is completed, you can view the deleted files in the list. To recover them, select the files you want to recover and click the "Recover" button to save them permanently. If you're still having trouble viewing or opening a file, you can try clicking the "Deep Scan" button, which might take a bit longer but can find more files by deeply scanning the system.

restore deleted files on my computer

Method 2: Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Computer by Restore Previous Versions

Another method to recover permanently deleted files from your computer is to restore previous versions. Before you try this method, you must be sure that you have set up File History to automatically back up files. The following are the easy steps to recover from your file history.

Step 1: Right-click the folder from where you permanently deleted the file/folder.

Step 2: Select "Restore previous versions" to recover permanently deleted files from my desktop or other locations.

Step 3: From the available versions, choose the one that's dated when files were there.

Step 4: Click "Restore" or drag & drop the desired version at any location on the system.

Restore previous versions

Method 3: Retrieve Permanently Deleted Files with Windows Backup File

If your computer has a backup, you can easily restore your files from Windows Backup files. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel, go to System and Maintenance > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).

Step 2: Tap the "Restore My Files" button to recover my permanently deleted files on my computer.

how to recover permanently deleted files from pc

Step 3: Select "Browse Files" or "Browse Folders" to select the backup that was previously created.

Step 4: Optimize the path you want to save your files in.

If you've accidentally deleted important files or folders, don't worry - there's a solution! Deep Data Recovery is a free software that can help you restore deleted files from hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, and digital cameras. With just a few simple steps, you can recover your lost data. The software is easy to install and can recover almost any type of deleted file. So, if you've lost something important, try Deep Data Recovery - it's a quick and easy way to get your files back!

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