How to Recover Deleted Files: 8 Free Ways (Updated in 2024)

2. Select the drive and search for lost files

Choose the drive or partition from which you need to recover deleted files from the list displayed by Disk Drill. Scanning the complete drive produces more complete recovery results. After selecting the recovery location, click the Search for lost data button to start the tool’s sophisticated scanning algorithms which will find your deleted data. The software can get back lost files from virtually all types of disk-based storage devices, and it can also detect lost partitions when you choose to scan the entire drive. It then lets you recover files from the lost partition, complete with their original names and folder structure.

How to run effective deleted file recovery

Select the drive and search for lost files

3. Preview the found files

Disk Drill provides users with the ability to preview the files found during the scanning process before performing the actual recovery. This feature can save a lot of time by enabling you to verify that the file you are recovering is really the one that you want. Additionally, a successful preview of a recoverable file confirms that the file can be recovered without any issues.

Recover HFS & HFS+ on Windows

4. Select which files you want to recover

A status bar shows the progress of the scan which can be paused at any point by the user. You will get the best results by allowing the scan to complete, but you may be able to save time by searching to see if the files you need have already been identified by the application. Check the box to the left of a file to choose it for recovery.

4.1 Use "filters" for a faster search or to select a specific file type

You can narrow down your search to specific types of files that have been identified as recoverable by the software for recovering deleted data. One set of filters is available in the left pane, allowing you to display only pictures, videos, audio files, documents, and archives. Another set of filters is located above the list of recoverable files, and you can use them to show files of a certain size, age, and more.

4.2 Search for files

Use the search bar at the top of the app’s window to locate files with standard search terms like *.jpg or filename.*. You can also perform a full scan and search for the specific files you want to restore by opening the appropriate window containing their file type. Inside the window will be a list naming the files that have been found along with reconstructed files whose names could not be determined by the application. Check the boxes next to the files you wish to restore or click the Recover all button to get back all of the data.

4.3 Check the Reconstruction section

The Reconstruction section of each window contains files that can be recovered by Disk Drill but do not have sufficient metadata available to provide a file name. The deep scanning algorithms can reconstruct lost data based on their file signatures. While their names may not be evident, you can preview the files to determine if they are what you want before you recover them.

5. Recover the deleted files

After making the selection of the files you want to restore, simply click the Recover button. At this point, you are prompted to choose a storage location where the recovered data will be stored. You should not use the same device that experienced data loss to avoid further corruption or overwriting files before they can be recovered. Click OK when you have chosen the storage location.

7 OTHER EASY METHODS

Other Methods to Recover Deleted Files on Windows

Here are some other methods that you can use to attempt the recovery of deleted data on your Windows computer.

METHOD 2

Find Recently Deleted Files in the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is where files that have recently been deleted are stored temporarily by the Windows operating system. You can recover files until you empty the bin or until the files roll-off due to time or capacity constraints.

To Recover Deleted Files on PC Windows 11/10/8/7 with the Recycle Bin follow these steps:

Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking its icon.
Locate the files you want to recover, then select them by holding the Ctrl key and clicking each file, or select multiple files in a sequence by clicking the first file, holding down Shift, and clicking the last file. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + A to select all files.
Check the column displaying the original location of the file so you can find it easily after recovery.
Right-click on the selection and choose Restore. If you would like to restore all files to a new location, then you can click on any selected file and drag it to the desired location.
Let the process complete and then verify that the files have been recovered to their original location.

METHOD 3

Restore Deleted Files using Previous Versions

If you have the File History feature enabled, it's possible to recover previous versions of files and folders that have been deleted using the Previous Versions feature. Here’s how:

Locate the folder where the deleted files and folders were originally stored.
Right-click on the folder and select Properties.
Navigate to the Previous Versions tab. Here, you will see a list of previous versions of the folder, created through File History.
Select the version of the folder from a date before the files were deleted.
You have two options:
- Click Restore to overwrite only the files in the current folder that existed in the selected previous version, without affecting new files added after the backup.
- Select Restore to... to restore the folder to a different location, preserving the current folder and its contents intact.

Restore Deleted Files from the Previous Version

METHOD 4

Restore from a Manual Backup

Backups are a great way to protect your valuable files and will come in very handy if you are faced with a data loss situation. If you have followed best practices and are making backups of your data regularly, you may be able to recover your lost files by using the backup media.

This implies that backups were made in the time between when the files were introduced to your computer and when they were deleted. Here are the general steps to use when using a backup to recover your lost data.

Find the storage device that contains your backups and attach it to your machine.
Launch File Explorer and locate the delete files on the backup storage device.
Copy (not move!) the files you want to recover from the backup storage device back to the original device

METHOD 5

Use the File History Feature

The Windows operating system comes with an incremental backup feature called File History. When enabled, File History automatically creates backups of files and folders in Libraries, Desktop, Contacts, and Favorites locations on your computer.

Best of all, File History keeps multiple backup copies of the same files, so you can recover, for example, older versions of documents. To restore files and folders using File History:

Open the Start menu and type "Restore your files with File History" in the search bar.
Select the Restore your files with File History option.
Navigate to the location where the deleted folder or file was located.
Select the folder or file you want to restore.
Click the green Restore button to restore the selected folder or file back to its original location.

METHOD 6

Use the Legacy Backup and Restore (Windows 7) Feature

All versions of Windows since Windows 7 come with a feature called Backup and Restore. By default, this feature backs up data saved in libraries, on the desktop, and in default Windows folders, but you can also manually choose exactly what you want to back up.

If you've created a backup using the Backup and Restore feature, then restoring your deleted files from it should be painless:

Open the Start menu and type "Control Panel" in the search bar.
Select the Control Panel app from the list of results.
Navigate to System and Security > Backup and Restore.
Click the Select another backup to restore files from option.
Select your backup and click Next.
Specify what you want to restore and click Next.
Decide if you want to restore the backup to a different location.
Click Restore to start the process.

Use the Legacy Backup and Restore Windows 7 Feature

METHOD 7

Recover Your Lost Files from OneDrive

Recent versions of Windows integrate Microsoft's cloud backup service, OneDrive, to provide users with a simple way to safely back up up to 5 GB of data for free. If you've been using the service to protect important files, then you should be able to recover them in no time:

Go to https://onedrive.live.com/
Log in using your Microsoft account.
Find the missing files.
Select them.
Click the Download button.

METHOD 8

Hire a Professional Data Recovery Service

If all other methods fail, you may need to engage the assistance of a professional data recovery service. This can prove to be expensive and is not the most convenient method of getting your files back. You will need to get your device to the recovery service and will be without it for the time needed to perform the recovery. These services often require access to the device before quoting a price for the restoration operation.

Use these steps if you are considering a professional data recovery service:

Search Google for a local data recovery service or one with a good reputation. We suggest Cleverfiles Data Recovery Center as a reputable solution.
Make your selection and follow the vendor’s guidelines to send them your storage device.
Ship or deliver the device to the company and obtain a price for the recovery.
Complete the financial transaction with the recovery service and let them recover your files.
Pick up the device and start using your files again.

Hire a professional data recovery service

How to Recover Deleted Files on Different Platforms

Windows 10/11

One of the most effective ways of recovering deleted data on Windows 10/11 machines is with the built-in backup facility provided by the operating system.

Follow these steps to recover deleted files on Windows 10/11:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel. You can do this by typing "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and selecting the app.
Step 2. Navigate to System and Security and then select File History.
Step 3. Click the Restore personal files button in the left pane.
Step 4. Navigate to the folder that previously contained the files you want to recover.
Step 5. Browse through the files and versions available in File History. This feature regularly keeps versions of modified files, so you can choose the version you want to recover.
Step 6. Once you have selected the files and the versions you wish to recover, click the Restore button. If there are duplicate file names, you will be prompted to choose how they should be handled.

Windows 8/8.1/7

There are many methods with which to recover deleted files on a Windows 8/8.1/7 system. The first one you should try is to recover your files from the Windows Recycle Bin with the following steps:

Step 1. Click the Recycle Bin icon to open it.
Step 2. Locate the files you want to recover. Note their original location as that is where they will be found after the process completes.
Step 3. Click the Restore button to perform the recovery.

macOS

One of the most reliable and effective ways to recover deleted data from a macOS system is with Disk Drill.

Follow these simple steps to recover deleted files on Mac:

Step 1. Download and install Disk Drill for Mac.
Step 2. Launch the program and select the disk with the deleted files.
Step 3. Click the Recover button to begin scanning for lost data.
Step 4. Preview the files that Disk Drill has found and select the items you want to restore.
Step 5. Press Recover a second time to perform the recovery.

Linux

PhotoRec and TestDisk are versatile freeware data recovery tools that support a variety of operating systems including Linux. Here are the required steps to use this software to recover lost files on your Linux machine:

Step 1. Enter the command:
sudo apt -y install testdisk
Step 2. Navigate to the directory that contained the deleted data.
Step 3. Enter the command:
sudo photorec
Step 4. Select the hard drive for recovery and hit Enter.
Step 5. Choose the partition and file type that you wish to recover.
Step 6. Specify the partition type and if you want to tool to scan free sectors or the entire drive.
Step 7. Change folders if necessary with command-line navigation.
Step 8. Press C when ready to recover your files. They will be restored to the recup_dir folder. Filenames are not restored so you need to preview and rename the recovered files.

Ubuntu

If you accidentally delete a file on Ubuntu with file manager, it is moved to the operating system’s Trash. Here are the steps you can use to get the file back:

Step 1. Open the Activities overview and start typing the word Files.
Step 2. Click on Files to open the file manager.
Step 3. Click on Trash in the sidebar. Press the Menu button and select Sidebar if it is not visible.
Step 4. Locate the deleted file.
Step 5. Click on the file and select Restore. It will be recovered to its original folder.

Tips to Avoid Losing Your Files in Future

Use an Online Backup

There are many online backup services available these days, and all popular options offer excellent protection against data by backing up your data to a remote server. Even if something catastrophic happens to your computer, your data will still be recoverable from an online backup.
Use updated anti-virus software

Many file loss scenarios are initiated by infection from viruses and malware. Using an anti-virus application that is kept updated with the latest virus signatures can protect you from this type of data loss.
Stop using your computer

As soon as you suspect that you have lost data, you should immediately stop using the affected computer or device. This will prevent the permanent loss of the files by having them overwritten by the operating system.
Save a few versions of a file every time you stop working

Enabling System Restore and saving copies of your files after you have finished working on them will save them in Windows restore points. The previous versions can then be recovered using native operating system functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated on Feb 05, 2024 by Disk Drill Team

How to recover permanently deleted files on Windows for free?

To recover permanently deleted files on Windows, you can use the File History backup feature if it was previously set up. Here's how to do it:

Open Control Panel, select System and Security, and click on File History.
Click Restore personal files in File History.
Browse through the backups to find your files.
Select the files or folders you need.
Click the Restore button to recover them to their original location, or right-click for alternate locations.

How do I recover permanently deleted files?

To recover lost or deleted files on Windows follow these steps:

Navigate and right-click on the folder that contained the permanently deleted folders or files.
Select ‘Restore previous versions’.
Windows will display a list of previous versions of the files that were created with Windows backup.
Double-click the previous version of the file or folder that you want to recover.
Click ‘Restore’ or drag & drop the file to a new storage location.

How do I recover deleted files on Mac?

Use Disk Drill for Mac and employ the following steps:

Download, install and launch the application.
Select the disk with lost files and click the Recover button to start scanning.
When the process is complete, preview and select the recoverable files that you want to restore.
Click Recover again to perform the recovery. Choose a safe location other than the affected disk to store the recovered files.

Can I recover deleted files on Windows for Free?

Yes, as a Windows user, you can recover recently deleted files for free from the Recycle Bin:

Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Select the files you want to recover.
Drag the files to any folder you want. Alternatively, you can right-click a selected file and choose the Restore option.

How can I recover files deleted from a Recycle Bin after it’s emptied?

To recover files from an emptied Recycle Bin follow this procedure:

Install Disk Drill for Windows on a partition that does not contain the Recycle Bin.
Select the disk with the Recycle Bin.
Click Search for lost data to start scanning for deleted files.
Select the files you wish to restore from the preview.
Click Recover to retrieve the data.

How to restore permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin without software?

In order to recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin without using software follow these steps:

Locate your backup storage media.
Connect the backup media to your computer.
Start your backup and recovery application.
Search through backup copies for the files you need to recover.
If they are found, select the files and restore them to your hard drive.

How do I recover deleted files from an external hard drive?

Follow these steps to recover lost files from an external hard drive:

Download and install Disk Drill.
Connect the external drive and launch the application.
Click Search for lost data to scan the external drive for deleted files.
Preview the files that can be recovered and make your selections.
Click Recover to perform the operation and restore your lost files from an external hard drive.

How can I recover deleted files on Android devices?

Use Disk Drill for Mac to recover files from an Android device. This function is not supported by the Windows version of the tool.
Enable debug mode on the Android device.
Connect the Android device to your computer and launch Disk Drill.
Select the device and click Recover.
Choose the files you want to get back and click the Recover button again.
Choose a location on your computer where the files will be stored.

You will need to root your device to scan it with Disk Drill.

How do I recover deleted files from a pendrive?

Follow these steps to recover lost files from a pendrive or flash drive.

Download and install Disk Drill.
Connect the pendrive to your computer and start the app.
Click Search for lost data to start scanning the pendrive for deleted files.
Preview the data that the software can recover and select the files that you want to restore.
Click Recover to restore your files to a safe location that you will be prompted to select.

How to recover deleted files on PC?

If you've been taking advantage of the File History backup feature, then you can recover deleted files in a few simple steps:

Right-click the folder where your files were located.
Select Show more options (Windows 11 only) and click the Restore previous versions option.
Choose the most recent backup of the folder and click Open.
Select the files you want to recover.
Click the green restore button.

Are deleted files gone forever?

No, they are not, at least in most cases (TRIM-enabled SSDs are a notable exception). When you delete a file, it first goes to a special folder called the Recycle Bin. It then stays there until the Recycle Bin is emptied. When that happens, the storage space occupied by the files that were located inside the Recycle Bin is marked as empty, making it possible for new files to be stored there. Until that happens, the original files can still be recovered.

Where are permanently deleted files stored?

In most cases, permanently deleted files remain stored in their original locations until they are overwritten by new files. That can happen almost immediately, or it can take days, weeks, or even months. Until then, you can recover them using file recovery software applications.

How do I recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11?

If you’ve permanently deleted files from your Windows-based computer, you can use File History to restore the files. However, this will work only if you had this feature enabled before deleting the files.

Here’s how to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11 via File History:

Click the Start icon on the taskbar. Type file history in the search field and hit Enter.
Choose Restore your files with File History.
Click History. Use the arrows to navigate through different file versions to find the deleted file.
Select the files that you wish to restore and click Restore.

How can I recover permanently deleted files without backup?

You can use the Attrib command to recover files that appear to be permanently deleted because their file attributes have been changed:

Open Windows Terminal with administrator privileges.
Copy & paste the following command into the terminal window: attrib-h-r-s /s /d X:*.* (make sure to replace "X" with the actual drive letter assigned to your storage device)
Press Enter and check if any files have been revealed.

Can System Restore recover deleted files?

Unfortunately, no. System Restore can only help to recover accidentally deleted important Windows system files. So if you want to recover personal files (photos, videos, documents, etc.), this tool will not be an option.

How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows PC Easily

Best Methods to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11/10/8/7

Method 1. Recover Deleted Files with File Recovery Software

Steps to Recover Deleted Files with Data Recovery Software

1. Download and Install Disk Drill for Windows

2. Select the drive and search for lost files

3. Preview the found files

4. Select which files you want to recover

5. Recover the deleted files

Devices Suitable for Restoring Deleted Files

Personal computer’s internal drives

External hard drives

Flash drives

Storage arrays

Memory cards

Android/iOS Devices**

File Types That Can Be Retrieved