[Full Guide] How Do I Recover Deleted Videos?

Problem: How do I recover deleted videos?

Many people think store videos on your personal computer is not a wise decision, because problems may arise that could potentially lead to the deletion of these video files. If you have recently become aware of this problem, please do not skip this post. Due to accidental deletion or any other reason of lost videos, don't panic, we will now show the different solutions of how to find deleted videos on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

The reasons why videos lost

It is highly likely that certain videos you have recorded and saved on your computer hold significant importance to you. These videos might capture irreplaceable moments, such as your child's first steps or a sibling's wedding ceremony. The sentimental value they hold surpasses any monetary estimation. Naturally, you would not want to face the risk of losing them.

Regrettably, there exist numerous circumstances where you may find yourself requiring the utilization of data recovery software to retrieve lost or deleted videos. Several of these reasons include:

✦ Accidental Deletion: Unintentionally deleting video files can occur due to human error or misclicks.

✦ System Errors: Technical glitches, software malfunctions, or operating system failures may result in the loss of video data.

✦ Formatting or Reinstallation: Formatting a storage device or reinstalling the operating system without proper backup can lead to the deletion of videos.

✦ Virus or Malware Attacks: Infections from malicious software can corrupt or delete video files.

✦ Physical Damage: Hard drive failures, power surges, or physical damage to the storage medium can render videos inaccessible.

✦ File System Corruption: Issues with the file system structure can cause videos to become inaccessible or appear as deleted.

There are indeed several other scenarios that can result in the disappearance of your videos. What ties all these situations together is the sense of urgency in recovering the files promptly.

Whether it's accidental formatting, hardware malfunction, software crashes, storage device corruption, or any other unforeseen circumstance, the common goal remains: the swift retrieval of your precious video files. Time becomes a critical factor, and the need to recover the lost videos becomes even more pressing.

How to recover permanently deleted videos in Windows 10 and 11

When it comes to recovering permanently deleted videos on a Windows computer, there are multiple methods you can explore. We have compiled a list of the most effective approaches below.

★Warning:

It is crucial to cease using the disk or device that previously housed the deleted videos as soon as you become aware of their absence. By refraining from further utilization, you can significantly reduce the risk of overwriting the very files you aim to recover.

▶Method 1. AOMEI FastRecovery - How to recover deleted videos on Windows

Discover the ultimate solution to recover your precious data with AOMEI FastRecovery. Have you ever experienced the heart-wrenching feeling of losing important files, including those cherished videos capturing your most treasured memories? Say goodbye to that fear and welcome a new era of data recovery with AOMEI FastRecovery's exceptional feature.

With AOMEI FastRecovery, retrieving your deleted videos becomes an effortless task, offering you a second chance to relive those priceless moments. This powerful software utilizes cutting-edge algorithms and advanced scanning techniques to ensure the successful recovery of your lost files.

Please download it to see how do I recover deleted videos easily and safely.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.

Don't let data loss define your digital experience. Trust in AOMEI FastRecovery's powerful feature to save your precious videos with ease.

▶ Method 2. Restoring from File History Backup

Windows includes a useful feature called File History, which automatically creates backups of file versions. However, it is essential to have the File History backup option already set up on your PC for this method to be effective. Assuming that it is in place, let's proceed with the deleted video recovery process using File History:

Step 1. Begin by searching for "File History" in the Start Menu and select the best match from the results.

Step 2. From the options on the left, click on "Restore personal files."

Step 3. A list of backed-up folders will be displayed. Navigate to the location where the video file was originally stored.

Step 4. Select the desired video file or the entire folder containing it and click the recover button highlighted in green at the bottom.

The video files will be restored to their original location. Please bear in mind that the recovered video file may not represent the most recent version. If you made any recent edits, those changes might not be preserved in the recovered file.

▶ Method 3. Utilizing Windows File Recovery

Windows File Recovery developed by Microsoft, is a tool designed specifically for file recovery on Windows systems. However, it's worth noting that this utility operates through the command-line interface, requiring familiarity with the Command Prompt.

Additionally, please keep in mind that Windows File Recovery is only available on Windows 10's May update or newer versions, as well as Windows 11.

To employ Windows File Recovery, follow these steps:

1. Install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store.

2. Once the installation is complete, search for "Windows File Recovery" in the Start Menu and select the best match. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, click "Yes."

Note: Windows File Recovery offers two scanning modes: Regular and Extensive. If you wish to recover recently deleted videos on an NTFS drive, use the Regular mode. For video files lost some time ago or when scanning FAT32, ReFS, or exFAT drives, utilize the Extensive mode. For our example, we'll proceed with the Regular mode.

3. Execute the following command, assuming E: represents the source drive and D: is the destination drive:

winfr E: D: /regular

If you know the file extension of the video file, you can further refine the recovery results by adding a switch to the command, as shown below:

winfr E: D: /regular /n *.mp4

When prompted for permission, press "Y".

4. Once the process is complete, navigate to the destination drive, and you will find a folder named "Recovery-[date]-[time]" containing the recovered files.

▶ Method 4. Restoring Video Files from Backup

If you have a regular backup routine in place, you may be able to retrieve deleted videos by simply copying and pasting them back onto your computer. Here's how you can accomplish this:

Suppose you have backed up your files on an external hard disk. In that case, you can connect the hard disk to your computer and proceed to copy the video files back into their original locations.

Alternatively, if you utilize a cloud storage service like Google Drive for your backups, you can retrieve the files by right-clicking on the desired video file and selecting the "Download" option. This will initiate the downloading process, allowing you to save the video files onto your PC.

Please note: If you rely on OneDrive for data storage, it's important to understand that OneDrive functions as a synchronization tool rather than a backup solution. If you delete a video file from your PC, it will also be deleted from your OneDrive account, and recovery will not be possible.

How to Locate Deleted Videos on a Windows PC

If you are trying to find deleted videos on your Windows PC, you can try the following methods:

▶ Option 1. Search using the Start Menu

Sometimes, the video files may not have been completely deleted but might be located in a different folder on your computer. To search your entire storage space, utilize the search function available in Windows.

● Open the Start Menu and enter the name of the video file in the search bar.

● Click on "More" and select "Videos" to narrow down the search results and display only video files.

▶ Option 2. Search using File Explorer

Another approach to searching for video files that haven't been deleted is through File Explorer.

● Launch File Explorer by pressing "Win + E" on your keyboard.

● Select "Computer" from the left sidebar and enter the name of the video file in the search bar at the top.

▶ Option 3. Search in the Recycle Bin

If you haven't permanently deleted the files by emptying the Recycle Bin or using the "Shift + Del" shortcut, there is a chance that the deleted videos are still present in the Recycle Bin.

● Open the Recycle Bin and check if you find the video files.

● If the videos are located in the Recycle Bin, right-click on them and select "Restore" to recover them to their original locations.

By following these methods, you may be able to locate and recover deleted videos on your Windows PC.

How to protect video loss on your computer

Now, you should already know "how do I recover deleted videos" issue. If you value the importance of your videos, it is crucial to implement measures that protect them from permanent loss. As discussed earlier, there are various ways in which videos can be accidentally lost. Here are some tips to help prevent the irreversible loss of your valuable videos:

✍ Maintain Multiple Copies: It is wise to have more than one copy of videos that hold exceptional significance to you. Avoid relying solely on a single SD card or hard drive to store all your cherished memories. Investing in additional storage options is a small price to pay compared to the emotional cost of losing those videos.

✍ Backup Your Videos: Don't overlook the importance of backing up videos that reside on SD cards or mobile devices. Take advantage of cloud storage services or external storage devices to create backups. Consider this backup process as an insurance policy for preserving those significant videos.

✍ Protect Your Devices: Take precautions to keep the devices containing your videos and other valuable data safe from conditions that could cause damage and data loss. Keep them away from water and high temperatures. Avoid leaving computers and devices in parked cars or exposed to direct sunlight.

By following these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of permanent video loss and ensure the long-term preservation of your precious memories.