Recover or Retrieve Deleted Files on Windows or Mac
Many times we need to clean or delete files from storage media so we could save other important documents or boost the system speed by freeing up space from the hard drive. But sometimes we accidentally delete some important documents and remove those even from the recycle bin.
Moreover, you can lose precious files due to various other causes and unluckily, there is no inbuilt utility in either Windows or Mac that can retrieve deleted files back (especially when files have been deleted from recycle bin). Studies show that approx 32% data loss happens due to human errors such as accidental deletion/formatting or physical damage in the media as a cause of dropping the device.
So if you have already tried different ways to restore files back but didn’t meet the success yet, might get some helpful tips here.
Whenever we delete files, system mark the space as free and make it open to save any other document. Deleted stuff still remains there but you will not be able to see it.
Reasons why your data has gone?
Once the file is deleted or accidentally lost, it’s not completely deleted and can be easily restored by employing effective methods like using file recovery software. Windows and Mac both have certain vulnerabilities that address the data loss circumstances.
Some of the common data loss reasons you might have familiar with:
- Accidentally deleting files from the folders and then emptying the recycle bin or trash too.
- Virus/malware corruption marks your data hidden and thus prevents you to access it.
- Drive corruption can lead to system inaccessibility and as a result of which, you will no longer be able to see the stored data.
- File system corruption can also lead to damaged or deleted data situations.
- Failure of Motherboard, PSU and system drivers also contribute in majority towards system inaccessibility or data loss situations.
Things to retrieve deleted files successfully
You need to take few precautions to make sure that the deleted files are still in recoverable condition and can be recovered once you employ effective methods. Have a look at the below section to carefully make your deleted files recoverable.
- Avoid Using the Problem media
Stop immediately operating the device after accidentally hitting the delete command on your Windows or Mac since every time your computer writes new information for any new file you save/move. Even performing simple operation on the device could overwrite the data and you might not be able to see it again. - Choose another system to perform recovery operation
Instead of doing recovery operation on the problem computer, you are advised to remove and connect the media externally to any other system using SATA/IDE, USB enclosure and then start hunting for your lost or deleted precious files. Doing this will have greater chances of recovery and allows to safely save your data.
What if the media is inaccessible or damaged?
Windows and Mac both are flooded with many unwelcome errors that occur frequently and causes complete system inaccessibility like blue or black screen of death, system files corruption, malware attack etc. These errors are the indication of any problems with the system that it couldn’t handle and unable to start. Though, these errors may automatically wipe off just by rebooting the system.
Addressing such problems is not easier and you need to be a bit advanced to effectively handle the situations and recover your data. Check out the 6 worst reasons of hard disk failure along with subsequent steps to recover your data, if you have logically failing hard drive. Moreover, if you’ve lost your important photos or files from memory or flash card, here is a great article about finding lost data on a flash memory device.
How to find deleted files
Try first to look around recycle bin or in trash folders and see if the deleted files are still there. You could also seek for the backup files (if any) that you have created previously. If the above two methods fails, try using Stellar deleted file recovery software and check your desired data in demo version. If you are able to see your files preview in demo version, can register your copy to restore the data on either Windows or Mac machine.
Below are the Stellar Windows Data Recovery working steps
- Download and Install the software on your working system.
- On the main screen, select “What you want to Recover” and click Next.
- Select the location/drive where you wish to recover and hit Scan.
- You can Preview all the recoverable data in the preview section.
- Select the files/folders you wish to recover and click Recover.
- Save the files in the desired location.
Prevent it from happening next time
You may lost data anytime in any form like photo loss, deleted word documents, undetectable external hard drive etc. and taking backup is always a good alternative to don’t let this happen again.
Windows and Mac have several useful utilities to automatically take backups on regular intervals so you don’t need to backup your data manually all the time. Taking backups can greatly reduce the chances of loosing your valuable data as well as protects your data from natural disasters.
I have emptied my trash folder that has some data which I need to get back urgently, and I don’t have a proper data backup for it. Please tell me how I can solve this issue?
If it is the hard drive which you have deleted and you didn’t use the Secure Empty trash option or your system FileVault enabled, then there is a possibility of data recovery from the trash folder, provided you should stop further use of your Mac immediately. Otherwise, once the data are overwritten, it becomes difficult to recover.
I recommend you try the software mentioned here in the source Link
I am trying to recover photos i accidently deleted before cleaning out my trash. but i haven’t been able to recover any yet. I would love some advice on how to use this software to recover my photos from my emptied trash.
Hi Christi,
First of all, I advise you to stop using the hard drive from which you have to recover your photos, so as to avoid the problem of ‘Overwriting.’
To learn the working process of this software, you can go through here. This blog will explain the full working process of this software.
If you still face any issue, kindly let me know; else share the result.
Good Luck!!!
I emptied my trash folder that has some data which I need to get back urgently, and I don’t have a proper backup for it. Could you guys provide me with the best solution?
This is what exactly happens with me. I had shift deleted my official document by performing the deletion operation on my documents. I didn’t know how I can recover it? But, it was an important document for me as it carries my official presentation which I need in any manner. I, then have gone through this blog and try your recovery software. This software works like a magical wand for me, and I got my file back with the help of this software. Thanks Stellar for introducing such a nice software for your users.
My hard drive has failed and I have lost all my data stored in it. Also, I have no such budget to go to a Data Recovery Center. I want to recover my data at Free of Cost. Is there any software offered by you which can recover my data back?
Please download the Stellar Mac Data Recovery Free Edition software and install it on your system. And, follow the tips mentioned in this article to recover 1 GB files for free.
I have emptied my trash folder that has some data which I need to get back urgently, and I don’t have a proper data backup for it. Please tell me how I can solve this issue?
If it is the hard drive which you have deleted and you didn’t use the Secure Empty Trash option or your system, then there is a good chance of data recovery from the Trash folder. But, it is necessary that you should stop using your Mac OS X immediately. Otherwise, once the data will overwritten in your hard drive, it becomes difficult to recover. You can free try Stellar Mac Data Recovery.
How do I recover deleted files from bad hard drive in Mac Yosemite?
Please download the Stellar Data Recovery for Mac and install it on your system. And, follow the tips mentioned in this article Read More
I had recently downloaded a game from a website and that inserted virus in my system. As, I have lot of important files in it and all had disappeared. I searched a lot for them, but didn’t find it. I came across your post through Google. I had used the mentioned software and had easily recovered my data back.
I had such high hopes; but all I’m able to recover are the images still left on the disk. It “read” a lot of sectors but never found anything more.
Dear Bill,
It would be great if you suggest the following:
1) Which operating system are you using i.e. Windows or Mac?
2) Name of the recovery software you’ve tried along with the steps detail you choose to scan and recover files.
3) Did you saved any other files(overwritten) after deleting any particular file?
Otherwise, you can try our two most popular software entitled Stellar Windows Data Recovery – Pro: Read More for Windows
Stellar Mac Data Recovery Read More For Mac OS X
You can try RAW recovery option, available in both the software and perform deep scan to recover severally damaged or corrupted files. You can also opt for searching the desired files on signature basis or various other filter like date modified, size or the directory location. ‘
Thanks