Accidental deletions happen—but Windows offers built‑in recovery through the Recycle Bin and File History, plus Microsoft’s WinFR app. When those fail, free third‑party tools can help you get data back before it’s overwritten.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
1. Restore from the Recycle Bin
- Double‑click Recycle Bin on your desktop.
- Select files/folders, right‑click Restore to return them to their original location
2. Use File History
- In File Explorer, navigate to the folder that housed the deleted item.
- Right‑click folder, select Restore previous versions, pick a version, then Restore
3. Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery (WinFR)
- Install Windows File Recovery from Microsoft Store.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
winfr C: D: /regular /n \Users\YourName\Documents\*.docx - Review recovered files in D:\Recovery folder
4. Try Third‑Party Tools
- Recuva and Disk Drill are top free options supporting NTFS, FAT, and exFAT.
- Download portable versions to avoid overwriting deleted data
FAQs
Q: How soon should I attempt recovery?
A: Immediately—continued use of the drive may overwrite deleted data, reducing recovery chances.