{"id":26289,"date":"2020-01-09T00:59:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T00:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/?p=26289"},"modified":"2025-01-09T19:07:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T19:07:18","slug":"steps-to-recover-deleted-unsaved-or-corrupted-pdf-file","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cleverfiles.com\/howto\/recover-pdf-file-windows.html","title":{"rendered":"Steps to Recover Deleted, Unsaved or Corrupted PDF File"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most businesses and organizations rely heavily on PDF files for documenting and sharing important information, but they often struggle when these files become inaccessible – whether through accidental deletion, unexpected program crashes leading to unsaved work, or file corruption. While many users know the basics of working with PDFs, they may not be familiar with how to recover PDF files in these challenging situations.<\/p>\r\n

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that PDF recovery isn’t nearly as complicated as it may seem, regardless of whether you’re dealing with deleted files, unsaved changes, or corrupted documents. With the right software solutions and recovery methods, you can restore access to your important PDF files in most scenarios.<\/div>\r\n

<\/span>Can PDF Files be Recovered?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Yes, PDF files can typically be recovered through various methods depending on how they became inaccessible. While some situations may require file recovery software<\/a> to restore your documents, others can be resolved using built-in Windows features or backup solutions.<\/p>\r\n

Here’s how to recover your PDF files in different scenarios:<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Problem<\/b><\/td>\r\nDetailed Description<\/b><\/td>\r\nSolution<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
My PDF file is gone and it’s not in the Recycle Bin<\/td>\r\nPermanent deletion is a common issue, as seen when a MacBook user lost their entire PDF document collection<\/a> after emptying the Trash. This scenario often happens during routine cleanup or when files are deleted using Shift+Delete.<\/td>\r\n⭐ Try Disk Drill recovery software<\/a> or restoring from a previous backup<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
I just accidentally deleted an important PDF file<\/td>\r\nRecent accidental deletions happen frequently during file organization. Users often report<\/a> mistakenly deleting important work documents while cleaning up their folders or moving files between locations.<\/td>\r\nCheck the Recycle Bin<\/a>, or use File History<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
My computer crashed while I was editing a PDF<\/td>\r\nUnexpected crashes during PDF editing are yet another common cause of PDF loss and corruption. For example, multiple users have reported<\/a> losing significant work when their PDF editor crashes during saving, especially when working with large documents or making extensive annotations.<\/td>\r\nLook for unsaved file recovery<\/a> or check File History<\/a> for previous versions<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
My PDF file won’t open – it seems corrupted<\/td>\r\nFile corruption can also occur during file transfer or download. In one case, a user encountered corrupted PDFs in their email<\/a>, preventing access to important documents. This typically happens due to incomplete downloads or transfer interruptions.<\/td>\r\nTry using repair tools for corrupted PDFs<\/a> or restore from a previous backup<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
I deleted a PDF from a WhatsApp chat<\/td>\r\nMessaging apps present unique recovery challenges. As reported by users<\/a>, WhatsApp PDFs can be accidentally deleted during chat cleanup or become inaccessible after chat history clearing.<\/td>\r\nTry WhatsApp-specific recovery methods<\/a> or use data recovery software<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

<\/div>\r\n

Before attempting recovery, it’s important to stop using the storage device where your PDF was located to prevent overwriting the deleted file. If the PDF was stored on a system drive, then at least minimize write operations (saving new files or performing system\/application updates) as much as possible.<\/div>\r\n

<\/span>How to Recover Deleted PDF Files<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

When a PDF file gets deleted, there are several methods you can try to recover it, even if you don’t have a backup. We’ll cover multiple recovery approaches sequentially, starting with the simplest built-in Windows features and progressing to more advanced or specific solutions.<\/p>\r\n

<\/span>Way 1.<\/span> Check the Recycle Bin<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

If the PDF file is still in the recycling bin, the recovery is straightforward.<\/p>\r\n

To recover deleted PDF file from the Recycle Bin:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  1. Open the Recycle Bin<\/b> by double-clicking its icon on the Desktop.<\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Locate and then select the PDF file you need to restore.<\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Right-click or tap-and-hold on the selection and then choose Restore<\/b>.\"Restore<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
    You can also simply drag the file from the Recycle Bin and drop it into any desired location on your computer. This gives you the flexibility to restore the file to a different folder than its original location.<\/div>\r\n

    In the blink of an eye, you should see the PDF file magically appear in its original location, which you can see if you’re viewing Recycle Bin in “details” view.<\/p>\r\n

    <\/span>Way 2.<\/span> Restore from Previous Backup<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    It’s a beneficial practice to create more than one backup of your file across all your devices and keep updating them regularly. This way, in case your data gets lost or deleted, you wouldn’t have to think twice before turning to your backup to recover it. Similarly, if you’ve lost your PDF file, you can restore it easily from a previously saved backup.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    \"Copy<\/p>\r\n

    Moreover, you can create backups on various internal and external storage devices like USB, hard drives, etc. You could also save them on a cloud storage solution.<\/p>\r\n

    💡 Diversifying your backups is an essential practice since we rely so heavily on data and information. It helps to keep your files protected against data loss scenarios such as computer crashes, accidental deletions, unexpected power outages, etc. If a situation like this arises, you can connect to your backup and start recovering your PDF file immediately.\u00a0<\/div>\r\n

    <\/span>Way 3.<\/span> Use Data Recovery Software<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

    But what if the Recycle Bin has already been emptied<\/b>? In that case, only a capable PDF recovery tool can help you get your deleted PDF files back. One such tool is Disk Drill<\/a>, and there are many reasons why we recommend it over other similar tools.<\/p>\r\n

    For starters, Disk Drill is so easy to use that even complete technophobes should be able to instantly figure out how to recover their deleted or lost PDF files,\u00a0hiding the complex nature of data recovery behind a single button.<\/p>\r\n

    Thanks to its powerful data recovery algorithms, Disk Drill is able to find all recoverable PDF files, regardless of whether they are permanently deleted, hidden, corrupted, or renamed. It also doesn\u2019t matter whether you want to recover PDF files stored on an internal hard drive<\/a>, USB flash drives<\/a>, or SD cards<\/a> because Disk Drill can scan and recover data from virtually any storage device and file system.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    ⚠️ Important: If your PDF files were stored on an internal SSD with TRIM enabled (which is the default on modern systems), recovery might not be possible after the Recycle Bin has been emptied because TRIM immediately wipes deleted data blocks to maintain SSD performance.<\/div>\r\n

    To recover your PDF files using Disk Drill:<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    1. Download Disk Drill from its download page<\/a> or by clicking the button below<\/span>.
      \r\n
      \r\n
      \r\n
      \r\n \"Disk \r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n
      \r\n download-block-title<\/b>
      \r\n download-block-text\r\n <\/div>\r\n
      \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/svg>\r\ndownload-block-button-text\r\n<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div><\/li>\r\n\t
    2. Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions. Then, launch Disk Drill.<\/li>\r\n\t
    3. Select the drive from which you wish to recover your PDF file. Click the Search for lost data<\/b> button to begin scanning. \"Scan<\/li>\r\n\t
    4. Once the scan is complete, you can use the file type filters to show only PDF documents. Take time to preview files to make sure they’re the ones you want to recover, then select the PDF files you wish to restore.\"Select<\/li>\r\n\t
    5. Finally, click the Recover <\/b>button and choose a recovery destination on a different drive than the source. Wait for the recovery process to complete, and your files will be restored to the selected location.\"Choose<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

      As you can see, it takes just a few simple steps to recover PDF files with Disk Drill, which is why so many users swear by it when it comes to all kinds of data recovery tasks.<\/p>\r\n

      To learn more about data recovery with Disk Drill, we recommend you visit Disk Drill\u2019s knowledge base<\/a>, where you can find in-depth data recovery tutorials. Or better yet, download<\/a> the free version<\/b> of Disk Drill and see for yourself that you actually don\u2019t need a lengthy tutorial to figure out how to use it to recover deleted or lost PDF files.<\/div>\r\n

      <\/span>Way 4.<\/span> Access Windows File History<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

      File History is an excellent Windows feature that allows you to restore previous versions of your files. It’s an easy, straightforward way to help you recover your PDF file using your system’s built-in features. If you’ve lost an important PDF, you can navigate to the File History option and gain access to your file backups.<\/p>\r\n

      📂 By default, File History only backs up files in these locations: Documents folder, Music folder, Pictures folder, Videos folder, Desktop folder, OneDrive (files available offline).<\/div>\r\n

      However, you will have to ensure that File History is turned on for this method to work. To do this, go to the Restore files using File History\u00a0option from the Windows search tab. It will direct you to a Control Panel, and you can turn on File History there.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

      \"File<\/p>\r\n

      Now, you can follow these steps to restore your PDF file with Windows File History:<\/p>\r\n

        \r\n\t
      1. Open Control Panel (you can search for it in the Windows search bar).<\/li>\r\n\t
      2. Click on File History and then select Restore personal files from the left sidebar.<\/li>\r\n\t
      3. Browse through the backup history using the forward and backward arrows at the bottom to find the version you want.<\/li>\r\n\t
      4. Navigate to the folder where your PDF file was stored. You can search for it using the file name or go through previous versions of your files.<\/li>\r\n\t
      5. Now, choose the file you want to restore and click on the green Restore button at the bottom.\"Restore<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

        <\/span>Way 5.<\/span> Recover Deleted PDF Files from WhatsApp<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n

        If you’ve accidentally deleted a PDF file from WhatsApp, there are several ways to recover it depending on which device you’re using.<\/p>\r\n

        First, you can check the location where the instant messenger stores downloaded files on your device:<\/p>\r\n

        Windows<\/b>:<\/p>\r\n

        C:\\Users\\<username>\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\<somecode>.WhatsAppDesktop_<somecode>\\LocalState\\shared\\transfers<\/pre>\r\n
        macOS<\/b>:<\/p>\r\n
        \/Users\/<username>\/Library\/Group Containers\/group.net.whatsapp.WhatsApp.shared<\/pre>\r\n
        Android<\/b>:<\/p>\r\n
        \/Android\/media\/com.whatsapp\/WhatsApp\/Media\/WhatsApp\/Documets\/ <\/pre>\r\n
        or<\/p>\r\n
        \/Android\/media\/com.whatsapp\/WhatsApp\/Media\/WhatsApp\/Documets\/Private\/<\/pre>\r\n
        iPhone<\/b>: Due to system restrictions, WhatsApp files aren’t directly accessible through the file system.<\/p>\r\n
        If you can’t find your files there, then you can also check your operating system’s Recycle Bin or Trash folder. Of course, you can also try using data recovery software like Disk Drill to scan your entire drive\u2014the one where your WhatsApp files are stored – usually the main system drive.<\/p>\r\n
        <\/span>How to Recover Unsaved PDF Files<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
        Most PDF applications, including Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat, come with crash recovery functionality to prevent changes from being lost after an unexpected interruption, which may occur due to a power outage, hardware failure, or a simple user error.<\/p>\r\n
        In the case of Adobe Reader, the most popular PDF application toolbox today, the temporary files are located in the following folders: \"C:\\Users\\%UserName%\\AppData\\Roaming\\Adobe\\Acrobat\\1X.0\\AutoSave\\\"<\/code>. Unfortunately, this is a temporary folder that gets deleted when you close Adobe Reader.<\/p>\r\n
        Just don\u2019t expect the temporary files to look like the original files. They may even have a completely different file extension. If they do, change the file extension to PDF and try to open the files in Adobe Reader. If you\u2019re in luck, the files should open without any issues.<\/div>\r\n
        <\/span>How to Repair Corrupt PDF File<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
        PDF files sometimes become corrupted, rendering them unreadable. When you try to open a corrupted PDF file with Adobe Acrobat DC, you get the following error message:<\/p>\r\n
         “Adobe Acrobat DC could not open file.pdf because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged (for example, it was sent as an email attachment and wasn\u2019t correctly decoded)”<\/em><\/p>\r\n
        \"Sejda<\/p>\r\n
        To repair corrupt PDF files, we recommend you use an online PDF repair tool like Sejda Repair PDF<\/a>, which makes it possible to recover a corrupted PDF file online with a few clicks even if the original file can’t be opened.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
        If you want to recover a PDF containing sensitive information, uploading it to a third-party web server probably doesn\u2019t sound too appealing to you. In that case, you can use Sejda PDF Desktop<\/a>, which works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.<\/p>\r\n
        Sejda PDF Desktop is free to use with daily limits, allowing you to repair:<\/p>\r\n