How to use Windows File Recovery? This article will guide you to do so. You can also get a Windows File Recovery alternative to easily recover permanently deleted files.
Have you ever deleted a file by mistake or had a drive fail? That’s why regular backups are important. If you don't have any backup, the free Windows File Recovery is what you need.
Windows File Recovery is a command-line program from Microsoft designed to recover deleted files. It doesn’t have a typical user interface, so you’ll need to enter commands to use it. While this process might seem a bit technical, we'll guide you through it step by step.
You’ll need Windows 10 (May 2020 update or newer) or Windows 11 to use this tool—it won’t work on older versions of Windows. Whether the tool can recover a deleted file depends on your drive type. On hard drives, deleted files aren’t erased right away, but on solid-state drives, they often are. If you’ve written new data to a device (like an SD card) after deleting a file, there’s a chance the file may be overwritten.
Windows File Recovery has different modes for various file systems and situations. We’ll explain which mode to use and how to run the commands. You can download the tool from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, please follow our guide to increase your chances of recovering your lost files. However, there is something you need to notice: even if you recover a file, it might be incomplete or corrupted as the tool can only handle simple data recovery and it can only restore what’s still on the drive.
After getting to know Windows File Recovery, you can now learn how to use Windows File Recovery in this section. But before beginning, it is better to know something basic about this tool for better use.
โ Overview of recovery mode corresponding to scenarios and file system:
|
File system |
Scenarios |
Mode |
|
NTFS |
Deleted recently |
Regular |
|
NTFS |
Deleted for a while |
Extensive |
|
NTFS |
Formatted disk |
Extensive |
|
NTFS |
Corrupted disk |
Extensive |
|
FAT and exFAT |
Any |
Extensive |
โ Overview of switches to narrow your scanning range:
|
Switches |
Meaning |
Supported mode(s) |
|
/n |
Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. |
All |
|
/y: |
Recover specific extension groups. |
Signature |
|
/k |
Recovers system files. |
NTFS Segmentโโโโโ |
|
/u |
Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. |
NTFS Segment |
โ Steps to check file system of your drive:
Press Win+E to open This PC > right-click on the drive where you have deleted files from> click Properties.
On PCs that use the NTFS File System, both Regular Mode and Extensive Mode are available.If you don't want to use the NTFS file system, you can use WINFR's Extensive Mode.
Step 1. Go to Microsoft Store to Get Windows File Recovery.
Step 2. Run Windows File Recovery as administrator, then input the command line based on syntax:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
For example, if you need to recover zip files from the Recycle Bin under C: drive to E drive, you need to input commands like:
winfr C: E: /extensive /n \C:\Recycler\*.zip
Step 3. Wait for the recovery to complete. Then a folder named "Recovery_(date and time)" will be generated automatically in the destination.
Not familiar with command lines? The software WinfrGUI, a 100% free alternative to Windows File Recovery, provides a graphical interface and step-by-step guide to free you from complicated command lines and easily recover deleted files on Windows 10/11 with just a few simple clicks.
At first, the free tool may seem appealing, but you might find it hard to use because of the complex commands, especially if you're not tech-savvy. Besides, you may encounter errors like "Windows File Recovery there was an error parsing your command" or "Windows File Recovery failed to create destination folder." Is there an ideal Windows File Recovery alternative? Yes! AOMEI FastRecovery is a great option, which allows you to easily recover lost files on Windows computers.
Why does AOMEI FastRecovery can be the best Windows File Recovery alternative? Here are some recommended reasons:
Comprehensive scanning methods: AOMEI FastRecovery supports both deep scan and quick scan, helping you find deleted and lost data quickly and thoroughly.
Wide data coverage: It can recover more than 1000 file types, including documents, pictures, videos, audio files, zip files, and emails (even if you need to recover deleted emails after years).
Compatibility with all Windows: You can use AOMEI FastRecovery on all Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, and 2012.
Recovery from multiple devices: This tool supports data recovery from various storage devices, including SSD, HDD, USB flash drives, SD cards, and local drives, such as recovering deleted files from SD card.
High recovery rate and speed: AOMEI FastRecovery ensures a high success rate that nearly reaches at 99%, and fast data recovery process.
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.
This is how to use Windows File Recovery. If you are not familiar with the complex command lines, it is better to use the best Windows File Recovery alternative, AOMEI FastRecovery. This powerful software even allows you to recover deleted file from a USB drive not in the Recycle Bin, and other external hard drives.