How to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 11 From an Emptied Recycle Bin?

User case: Need to restore permanently deleted files in Windows 11

Accidentally deleting important files while cleaning up your computer is a common issue, but there’s no need to worry. This guide will show you effective methods to recover deleted files in Windows 11. By exploring common causes of data loss and practical recovery techniques, you’ll be better equipped to restore lost data easily in the future. 

File loss in Windows 11 can occur due to various reasons, often unexpectedly. Similarly to emptying the Recycle Bin to free up space, using the "Shift + Delete" command can permanently erase files as well, leaving no easy way to retrieve them in simply clicks.

Other common causes of data loss in Windows 11 are listed below:

◈ Software Issues: Crashes or software conflicts can cause file corruption or loss.

◈ Physical Damage to Storage Devices: Hard drive is failing or hardware damage make data unreadable.

◈ Upgrade Errors: Interruptions during the upgrade process can lead to data loss. 

◈ System Restore/Factory Reset: Restoring the system erases personal files and applications.

◈ Windows 11 Rollbacks: Rollbacking to Windows 10 from 11 may result in lost data.

If you want to learn how to recover deleted files in Windows 11, you can move to the next part now.

How to recover deleted files in Windows 11

Even if files are permanently deleted with Shift + Delete or emptied from the Recycle Bin, they’re not necessarily gone forever. In Windows 11, you can recover them using tools like AOMEI FastRecovery, retrieving them from cloud storage, or restoring them from a backup. So, which option works best for you?

Method 1. Restore permanently deleted files in Windows 11 with AOMEI FastRecovery

Data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery is one of the simplest and most effective ways to recover lost files. It uses advanced scanning to locate deleted data without needing prior backups. For the best results of restoring permanently deleted files in Windows 11, it is suggested to choose the method with the highest success rate.

 The advantages of using AOMEI FastRecovery to recover deleted files in Windows computers:

• User-friendly interface: The software offers an intuitive graphical user interface, making it effortless for all skill-level users. It also offers technical support in 24/7.

• Versatile functionality: The tool boasts high-speed and reliable data recovery from external hard drives and various storage media, including HDD, SSD, USB drives, and SD cards. It supports over 1000 types of data with recovering unlimited data, covering texts, deleted photos, videos, audio, emails, and compressed files, among others.

• Wide compatibility: Compatible with almost all Windows versions, including Windows 11/10/8/7 & Windows Server. And it supports multiple file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS, ensuring broad device compatibility.

• Performs well in complex cases: Recover data from formatted disks, encrypted hard drives, system crash, corrupted USB drives.

• Security assurance: Users can download the software without worrying about bundled software, and it guarantees a secure environment by refraining from displaying any malicious ads during usage.

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 Bin 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 to end.

Method 2. Use Windows Backup to recover deleted files in Windows 11

Windows offers backup tools like File History, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), and OneDrive. These tools allow you to save copies of important files to internal drives, external devices, or OneDrive. If you lose data, you can easily restore it from these backups.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Then, click Restore my files.

Step 2. In the Restore Files window, you have the option to search for or peruse for the deleted files or folders.

Search: Enter a portion of the file name and select the files that need to be restored.
Browse for files: Locate the folder that contains the deleted files from the Recycle Bin and select it. Click on the "Add Files" button.
Browse for folders: Select the entire folder that contains deleted files.

Step 3. Select a location to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 or 10. You can choose original location or browse to new location. Then, click Restore.

Method 3. Recover Recycle Bin deleted files in Windows 11 from File History

File History, a Windows backup tool, can back up and restore files from locations like Desktop, Downloads, Documents, and Pictures. If you’ve enabled it, this is a reliable option to consider for recovering permanently deleted files in Windows 11.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security and click File History.

Step 2. Select Restore personal files. It will open a file history recovery window and display the most recent backup made for the Documents folder.

Step 3. Determine whether it contains files that have been irreversibly deleted. If not, select the left arrow to locate it in the older backups and the right arrow to return to the most recent backup. To restore Shift Deleted files in Windows 11 or 10, select the green restore button after identifying the files that require recovery.

Method 4. Undelete files in Windows 11 from Previous Versions

You can recover deleted files on your computer by using "Previous Versions," backups created by Windows that are great for restoring photos and other files. Here’s how you can recover deleted files in Windows 11:

Step 1. Open File Explorer and go to the specific folder containing the accidentally deleted files.

Step 2. Right-click on the destination folder and select Properties. In this interface, focus on "Previous Versions". Select the latest version available and end the process by selecting the "Restore" option.

Conclusion

The 4 methods about how to recover deleted files in Windows 11 are practical and helpful. If you want to restore permanently deleted files in Windows 11 with high success rate, AOMEI FastRecovery is a reliable and efficient way, even if they’re removed from the Recycle Bin and no backup is available. It can recover unlimited data in any format. It’s best to start with the free trial, which lets you preview the photos and files that can be restored.