How to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11?

Data Recovery
1

Accidentally deleted important files on my Windows 11 PC and emptied the Recycle Bin. Really need them back for a work project. Any suggestions?

2

Whoa, that’s rough. Been there too, accidentally deleting critical files and then hitting the trash can. Here’s a no-nonsense approach to getting those files back, because we’ve got work to do, right?

First off, before you dive into recovery software or backups, let’s make sure you actually need them:

  1. Check File History:

    • If you’ve got File History enabled on your Windows 11, you might be in luck.
    • Head to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
    • Click on More options > Restore files from a current backup.

  2. OneDrive or Cloud Backup:

    • If you’ve saved your files to OneDrive or any other cloud service, check the “Deleted files” section. Sometimes files you think you’ve deleted for good are sitting there waiting.

Now, onto the meat. Using specialized software can retrieve files you’ve deleted permanently. Here’s a reliable one:

Disk Drill

Disk Drill is a powerhouse recovery tool that saves the day more often than not.

  1. Download and Install:

    • Grab Disk Drill from CleverFiles. The drill does its thing on their straightforward download page.

  2. Running the Software:

    • Fire up Disk Drill, select your storage device, and start a scan. You’ll get a list of recoverable files.

  3. Recovery:

    • Locate the files you need, hit recover, and let Disk Drill work its magic. It’s usually pretty thorough in digging up those bits you thought were gone forever.

Use Windows File Recovery Tool

If you want to stick to Microsoft’s own suite, they provide a command-line tool named Windows File Recovery.

  1. Download from Microsoft Store: Get it from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Run via Command Line: Use the command syntax to recover your files. The tool is powerful but less user-friendly compared to Disk Drill.

Last Resorts

If neither works, here’s the final Hail Mary:

  • Professional Data Recovery Services: Sometimes, you need to turn it over to the pros. This’ll cost you but could be worth it for critical files.

Remember, acting quickly increases your chances of recovery. Avoid writing new data to the disk where the deleted files were stored. Each new piece of data can overwrite your lost files, making it harder to recover them.

A tad of advice: empower yourself with automated backups for the future. Windows’ native solutions or other third-party backup software could save you this headache down the line.

3

Adding on to @codecrafter’s excellent post, and riffing a bit myself, there’s a few other techniques and tips that might come in pretty handy. I’ve been down this rabbit hole before, and sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.

Diving into Shadow Copies

You might not realize it, but Windows 11 creates shadow copies of your files as part of its system protection. These are basically snapshots of your files at a point in time. Here’s how you can give it a shot:

  1. Navigate to the Folder:

    • Go to the folder where your file was originally stored.
    • Right-click and select Properties.

  2. Previous Versions Tab:

    • Look for a tab labeled Previous Versions.
    • If it’s active, you’ll see a list of different times when the shadow copies were saved.

  3. Restore or Copy:

    • Select the version you want to recover, and you can either restore it directly or copy it to another location.

Digging into Temporary Files

Believe it or not, sometimes Windows throws you a bone by leaving temporary versions of your files lying around. Here’s how you can check:

  1. Open File Explorer:

    • Enter C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Temp in the address bar.

  2. Scout Around:

    • This directory is usually a mess, but if you’re lucky, you might just find a temp version of your precious doc.

Now, as @codecrafter mentioned, data recovery software is your best bet when the normal tricks don’t pan out. They threw down Disk Drill, and I totally back that. It’s a solid piece of kit for deep scans. You can snag it from Disk Drill Data Recovery Software.

But hey, one more tool worth mentioning, especially if you’re one with a techie bent, is Recuva by Piriform:

  1. Download Recuva:

  2. Run a Deep Scan:

    • Once installed, open the program, target the drive or folder in question, and opt for a deep scan.

  3. Recovery:

    • After scanning, it’ll show you a list of files, color-coded by recoverability. Green’s good news; red’s not so much.

Now, if your files were stored on an SSD, remember these drives handle deletions differently thanks to something called TRIM. It makes recovery a bit trickier. That’s where Disk Drill’s advanced algorithms come into play more effectively than some other freeware options.

Important Tidbit: Backup Strategies

While this might seem like closing the barn door after the horse bolted, starting proper backup strategies now means you’ll be prepared next time—because let’s face it, there usually is a next time. Consider these:

  1. 3-2-1 Backup Rule:

    • Keep 3 copies of your data: 1 primary and 2 backups.
    • Store the copies on 2 different media types.
    • Keep 1 offline or offsite.

  2. Cloud Storage:

    • Services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft’s OneDrive offer some pretty robust automatic backup features.

  3. Dedicated Backup Software:

    • Tools like Acronis or Macrium Reflect provide tailored solutions for creating scheduled and incremental backups.

A Touch of Caution

If you’re not feeling terribly confident about diving into data recovery yourself, or the files are super critical, contacting a professional data recovery service is a prudent move. Yes, it can get pricey, but losing those irreplaceable files might hurt more.

And finally, for the command-line aficionados out there, the Windows File Recovery tool is hardcore but powerful:

  1. Navigate to Microsoft Store:

    • Download it from the Microsoft Store.

  2. Run the Commands:

    • It’s all about the right syntax: winfr C: D: /n \Users\XXX\Documents\workproject.docx (adjust these params based on your actual situation).

Remember, the faster you act, the better your recovery odds. Don’t go saving or installing new stuff on the drive you’re trying to recover from to avoid overwriting those precious sectors.

Hope this extra layer of options helps you out. Data loss sucks, but fortunately with today’s tech, your files might be hanging in there, ready to be rescued.

4

Hey, totally feel your pain on this one. Deleting critical files is a nightmare we’ve all had to deal with at some point. Some really solid advice there from @byteguru and @codecrafter, but I gotta throw in my two cents.

Local Backups and Network Locations

Before diving deeper into the maze of file recovery software, let’s pay a quick visit to your network drives and local backups:

  1. Network Drives:

    • If your organization uses a network drive, the deleted file might still be recoverable from there. Check with your IT admin if there’s any backup policy for network folders.

  2. Backup Drives:

    • I know it might sound obvious, but sometimes folks forget those external drives they hooked up for periodic backups. Plug in any external HDD or SDD you have and see if your files are there.

Using System Restore Points

Windows System Restore can sometimes help recover files assuming there were restore points created before you deleted the files:

  1. System Restore:
    • Open Control Panel and navigate to System and Security > System > System Protection.
    • Click on System Restore and see if there’s a restore point prior to the deletion event.

Advanced Data Recovery

Since others have covered heavy hitters like Disk Drill (thumbs up on that, by the way), let’s dabble into other realms:

  1. R-Studio:
    • This is for the more tech-savvy enthusiast willing to confront a rather steep learning curve. It’s powerful, especially for RAID recovery, but setting it up is a whole different story. R-Studio offers extensive file recovery tools, but you might find the interface daunting compared to Disk Drill.

Different Ways of Using Disk Drill

You know what makes Disk Drill a powerhouse? Its additional features that sometimes go unnoticed:

  1. Disk Health Monitoring:

    • Besides file recovery, Disk Drill offers drive monitoring which alerts you about potential drive issues before they cause data losses.

  2. Recovery Vault:

    • This feature can save your bacon by keeping a protected copy of deleted files and offering a much easier method of recovery if enabled early.

Sure, while Disk Drill is solid, it’s also not without its quirks. The trial version only allows limited recovery, which might be a bummer if you’ve got a lot to salvage. And for the super detailed recovery, indexing can take considerable time. You gotta be patient.

Another Trick: File Recovery from Previous Versions

A slightly different take on file history, but more manual:

  1. Windows Built-in Feature:
    • In File Explorer, navigate to the folder your file lived in.
    • Right-click on the folder and hit Restore previous versions.
    • This pops up a list of available snapshots from File History or system restore points.

Data Recovery Wizard

Some folks might prefer another heavy hitter, like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. This one’s a bit more user-friendly than R-Studio and has a solid history of recovering various file types. Similar to Disk Drill in terms of efficiency but sometimes feels more streamlined – ideal if you’re not as comfy with tech nuances.

Cons of Disk Drill

Just to keep the info balanced:

  • Cost: While Disk Drill offers a lot, the full version isn’t free, and the trial is somewhat limited.
  • Speed: Especially on larger drives, the scanning process might feel like watching paint dry.
  • Complex UI: Some users find the wealth of options a bit overwhelming at first.

SSDs and TRIM: The Elephant in the Room

If your files lived on an SSD, take note – the TRIM command used by SSDs can complicate recovery. SSDs, when they delete files, more aggressively purge data to maintain performance. Hence, Disk Drill’s deeper algorithms become crucial.

For the Command Ninjas

In case the Windows File Recovery tool is up your alley, it’s indeed powerful but stringent. Here’s your cheat sheet:

  • Basic command for your scenario:
    winfr C: D: /n \Path\To\Your\File
    Adjust as per your needs, but don’t plan a weekend around it – it’s fast, but not user-friendly.

Long-term Thought: Data Governance

Segwaying into some wisdom for the future, implementing strong data governance routines can seriously mitigate the risk of data loss:

  1. Routine Backups:

    • Automate the process using tools like Macrium Reflect or Acronis.

  2. Cloud Storage with Sync:

    • Leveraging Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox isn’t just about storage; it’s about redundancy.

  3. Regular Check-ups:

    • Just like a health check, periodic audits of your backup systems ensure everything’s configured correctly and files are being backed up as expected.

Remember, the earlier you start the recovery process, the higher your chances of success. Avoid using the affected drive for new downloads or installations to prevent overwriting those data blocks that could still hold your deleted files.

Stick with it, you’ve got this!