How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10
Summary: When operating on Windows 10, you may encounter a scenario when you have accidentally deleted files from the system. This post discusses the stepwise methods to recover permanently deleted files and get them back in your system again (without any damage). It also talks about using specialized ‘file recovery tools’ that could help you recover permanently deleted files almost instantly. Download the recovery software to verify the functionality and effectiveness of the software.
Contents
There are only a few ways to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 10. However, before we head to the recovery part, it’s important that you must stop using the system or the affected drive immediately after data loss. The step is crucial to prevent overwriting of permanently deleted files.
If you continue to use the affected drive or the system, you may never be able to recover the permanently deleted files in Windows 10.
How a File is Permanently Deleted in Windows?
Typically, when we delete a file in Windows, we use either Delete key or Right-click on a file or folder and choose Delete. Such (temporary) deleted file or the folder goes straight to the Recycle Bin from where we can restore them in just a few clicks.
On the contrary, when we delete a file by using Shift + Delete key combination or empty the Recycle Bin — also happens when you run system cleaner app—the files and folders are permanently removed (deleted) from the system.
Fortunately, permanently deleted files are recoverable with prompt action.
Methods to Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10
Below are the steps you must follow in the sequence to get back permanently deleted files in Windows.
Method 1: Use Backup
Check your recent backup (if you are using Windows Backup) and restore permanently deleted files in Windows 10.
To restore data from a backup, connect the backup storage media to your Windows 10 PC and follow these steps:
- Open ‘Control Panel’
- Go to ‘All Control Panel Items>Backup and Restore (Windows 7)’
- Click ‘Restore my files’ and follow the wizard to restore lost files.
If ‘Restore my files’ isn’t visible, click ‘Select another backup to restore files from’ and follow the restore wizard.
Method 2: Restore Previous Versions
Alternatively, you can recover deleted files in Windows 10 with File History. The steps are as follows:
- Right-click on the folder that contained the permanently deleted file(s) or folder(s)
- Choose ‘Restore previous versions.’
- From the available versions, choose the one dated when files were there
- Click ‘Restore’ or drag & drop the desired version at any location on the system.
CAUTION: Use an external storage drive to prevent data overwriting in case the desired files are not found in the restored version.
Method 3: Deleted File Recovery through File Recovery Software
Follow the instructions given below to restore permanently deleted files in Windows 10 with the help of Stellar data recovery for Windows.
- Download Stellar Data Recovery software
- Install the software on a different volume or external USB drive (recommended) to avoid overwriting
- Launch the software
- Select ‘All Data’ or choose a specific file type from the options and click ‘Next.
- Select the location from where files were deleted. You can choose a particular folder under ‘Common Locations’ or the drive volume from ‘Connected Drives’ and click ‘Scan.
- After Scan, files are listed in the left Tree View pane. Expand the tree to locate desired files or click ‘File Type’ tab to sort files quickly.
Use the Search bar to locate files and click on a file to see its preview before saving.
- If the desired files are not found, click ‘Click here’ link at the bottom to run ‘Deep Scan.’
The deep scan takes more time but gets back all recoverable data as it thoroughly searches for the permanently deleted data on the hard drive based on file signatures.
- Finally, select the files you wish to recover, click ‘Recover>Browse’ and choose a save location. Click ‘Start Saving’
After restoring the permanently deleted files, create a backup to safeguard against future data loss.
Watch the video for detailed instructions on how to recover deleted files in Windows 10.
Conclusion
To prevent permanent data loss, always keep an updated backup of your critical files. You may use cloud storage or local drive to set up a backup. Alternatively, you may enable File History, which is a great backup tool available in Windows. File History automatically stores a shadow copy of the files and folders to an external USB or Network drive.
Further, a data recovery software such as the Stellar Data Recovery for Windows also comes handy in such data loss situations and beyond. It can recover deleted files, formatted data, and files from deleted partitions in just a few clicks. The data recovery software is strongly recommended to serve as a ‘backup of backup’ because the tool helps when a backup fails, is unavailable, or obsolete.
I have installed the stellar app to recover my files and I want to know that what is the cross sign means in the files when I recovered it through the deep scan. Is it mean that the files are corrupted……
Hello Ishani, The cross sign means the file is partially corrupted or could not be recovered. Thanks!
I downloaded free stellar data recovery, do I need to purchase the activation key? Ave lost all my school documents and can’t recover them because of the product key.
Hi Sau, as you said you download the trial version of stellar data recovery, so if you are able to see your lost data in preview, then you will need to activation key to recover your deleted data. You can get the activation key by clicking on the top left-hand side icon Kart. It will redirect you to the buy page. where you can purchase it.
Hi, how do I arrange my recovered files into their original folders? Because it is now all mixed up, but at least I got them back.
Hello Liezl, here I want to let you that you can recover your deleted items efficiently by using stellar data recovery. But it would not be arranged file structured as before they deleted. Because you have to select a different location to store the recover data.Thanks
It’s not working for me :(, I did a deep scan, I deleted 150 photos this morning! using SHIFT+DELETE!!. any solution? it is now 8 pm, roughly 5 hours past when deleted, restarted computer twice since.
Hi sam, kindly select the specific drive where you have lost your photos. Also, make sure the drive you choose to save recover data is different. Otherwise, it would be recovered partially. One more thing overwritten data cannot be recover, so stops using the computer. Thanks
Dude, thankyou. I had lost all my notes by mistake
my data was in Program Data Folder in C Disk
I have tried many times with various types of recovery software to recover my data but I can’t…
What can I do ? Pls help…..
Did you try to run Deep Scan If yes, then do this. Run Stellar Data Recovery Professional software and then click on Settings (Gear Icon)
Go to the Add Header option and add a few sample files of the format that you want to recover. Then run a deep scan.
it say’s enter bitlocker password/recovery key ! What should i do?
You must enter the password to proceed. If you don’t know or enter the incorrect password, you can’t scan or recover data from a BitLocker encrypted drive.
I did a format on my Windows and I lost all my files permanently from all partitions.
I have been able to see but can’t access them.
What should I do
Hello Evans,
You need to activate Stellar Data Recovery software using the license key. To do so you have to click on Activation option/button and it will redirect you to our site. Where you can purchase it and recover data very easily. Thanks
Do this software also recovers permanently deleted audio files from windows 10 PC?
Absolutely Correct, Stellar Data Recovery software helps to gain almost all major audio files.