[Solved]: Is There a Way to Recover Deleted Texts on Windows?

Is there a way to recover deleted texts?

A text file is a type of file that contains plain text without any special formatting beyond basic characters. It is often used for simple documentation, scripts, configuration data, and other uses where plain, human-readable content is needed. Sometimes, you may lose essential text files due to accidental deletion, unexpected formatting, or system crashes.

Is there a way to recover deleted texts without data loss? Sure! This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to recover deleted text files on Windows step-by-step. By following these methods below, you can easily retrieve the desired files.

How to recover deleted text files manually?

This section provides four methods to manually recover deleted text files on Windows 10, along with detailed step-by-step instructions for each. You can choose the method that best suits your needs.

Method 1. Check the Recycle Bin

How to recover deleted text files depends on how they were deleted. If you simply removed the text file from its original location, it is likely still in the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a built-in folder in Windows that temporarily stores deleted files, allowing you to recover them if you change your mind or make a mistake. If you cannot find the text file you need, start by checking the Recycle Bin. Follow these steps to recover deleted text files on Windows 10:

Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin on the desktop.

Step 2: Select the text files you want to recover. 

Step 3: Right-click on the desired files and select the Restore option. Wait until they are restored to their original locations.

Method 2. Retrieve from Backups

However, not all deleted files are moved to the Recycle Bin. If you select permanent deletion or empty the Recycle Bin, your file will bypass the folder and be removed permanently. Is there a way to recover deleted texts that are permanently deleted? Absolutely!

If your TXT files cannot be found in the Recycle Bin, consider recovering them through Backup and Restore. This tool is available for Windows 7 and later versions and allows you to create backups of essential files as well as the entire system. If you have enabled this tool before losing files, follow these steps below to recover permanently deleted text files:

Step 1. Navigate to the Control Panel, and select System and Security > Backup and Restore.

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

Step 3. Click Browse for files to choose the file you want to recover, and then click Next.

Step 4. Specify the saving path for your recovered file, and click Restore.

Method 3. Recover from Previous Versions

In addition to recovering files from backups, you can also recover lost files from Previous Versions, provided you have enabled this feature before. This feature allows you to restore earlier versions of files or folders, relying on the built-in backup and restore functionalities, such as System Restore and File History. Here’s how to access previous versions of desired files:

Step 1. Navigate to the folder where your lost file is stored.

Step 2. Right-click the folder and select Restore previous versions.

Step 3. You will see a list of previous versions of the file that are available . You can check if it contains the desired file by clicking the Open option.

Step 4. Select the version that you want and click Restore.

Method 4. Enable Windows File Recovery

Generally, when a file is deleted, it still remains on your system until its space is overwritten by new data. In this situation, you can enable Windows File Recovery to recover it. This free tool is designed to restore files that have been permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin or lost due to formatting, corruption, or other reasons. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to recover deleted text files on Windows 10 with this tool:

Step 1. Open Microsoft Store to download Windows File Recovery.

Step 2. Press Windows + S to type cmd, then select Run as administrator to load the CMD window.

Step 3. Type the following command and press Enter. Replace source-drive: with the drive where the file was deleted and destination-drive: with a different drive where you want to save the recovered file.

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: /n \path\to\file.txt

Step 4. You can use Signature Mode to recover files with specific extensions. Execute the following commands and press Enter.

winfr C: D: /r /n *.txt

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to recover the deleted text files.

An Alternative Way to Recover Deleted Text Files

Although the methods discussed above can help you retrieve deleted files, the recovery process can be challenging without backups and if you don't remember where the files were saved. Is there an easier way to recover deleted texts?

We’d like to introduce you to a user-friendly yet robust data recovery tool—AOMEI FastRecovery. Its advanced scanning feature allows you to quickly locate all deleted photos and other file formats on Windows PCs and Servers. With just a few clicks, your deleted photos can be restored to specified locations. You can freely download this perfect software and give it a try:

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How to recover deleted text files using AOMEI FastRecovery:

Step 1: Launch AOMEI FastRecovery on your computer first, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are stored.

Step 2: Scan the specific disk to find the deleted files. AOMEI FastRecovery provides two scanning modes:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device for finding lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, missing files will be displayed. Select the files that you want to restore, and click Recover. 

Step 4: Specify a saving path for your files and wait for the process to complete.

Key features of AOMEI FastRecovery:
◆ Supports recovering different file formats from various storage devices, including PCs, USB drives, SD cards, and more.
◆ Works for many data loss scenarios, recovering your files quickly and efficiently.
◆ Features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those with minimal experience.
◆ Allows you to preview the file before recovery, ensuring you choose the right ones.
◆ Ensures your data is completely safe during the whole recovery process.

Bonus Tips: Prevent Future File Loss

While the deleted files can be restored with the right methods, it is essential to take measures to avoid unnecessary file loss. Here are several strategies you can refer to.

► Back Up Your Data Regularly

Implementing a regular data backup can greatly reduce the risk of losing data. It is advisable to back up your essential files using system tools, third-party software, or cloud storage services.

► Keep Software Updated

Keep your operating system and software updated to avoid bugs and glitches that can cause crashes or data loss, improving the computer’s stability and performance.

► Maintain Device Safety

Take essential measures to keep your devices in good working condition. For example, keep your system safe from malware that can delete or corrupt files by using updated antivirus protection.

► Double-Check before Acting

Always double-check when handling and managing files in your business’s routine, ensuring that your actions do not lead to the unexpected loss of certain files. 

Conclusion

Typically, deleted text files can be found in the Recycle Bin and easily restored to their own locations. However, recovering permanently deleted files can be more difficult, especially if you don’t have any backups.

Is there a way to recover deleted texts effectively? This post presents four reliable methods for restoration. If you're seeking an easier solution, consider using professional recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery to simplify the recovery process.