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Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Windows 11 | 4 Easy Ways
There are 4 methods to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11. You can undelete files in Windows 11 or find lost files from emptied Recycle Bin with ease after reading.
By Irene / Updated on December 9, 2024
User case: Where do permanently deleted files go in Windows 11?
I recently emptied my Recycle Bin on Windows 11, but now I realize I need to recover some important files that were permanently deleted. I'm aware that these files are not immediately removed from the hard drive and that there might be ways to retrieve them. I am wondering where do permanently deleted files go after Recycle Bin on Windows 11?
Can someone guide me on the best methods or tools to recover permanently deleted files on Windows 11? Are there any recommended software programs or specific steps I should follow to maximize the chances of getting my data back? I appreciate any help or suggestions!
- Question from Microsoft Community Hub
In Windows, a "Recycle Bin" folder is specifically created on each internal storage device and some external ones to temporarily store deleted files. Therefore, when you delete a file in Windows 11 by emptying the Recycle Bin or using Shift Delete to remove files, the file isn’t thoroughly removed from the hard drive right away. Instead, the system marks the space it occupied as available for reuse. This is why some methods or recovery software can sometimes retrieve deleted files—because the data is still there until it’s replaced. However, the actual data remains on the disk until it’s overwritten by new files, and the data will be difficult to recover at this stage.
How to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11?
Just as we said, it is still possible to recover deleted files even after emptying the Recycle Bin or using Shift+Delete in Windows 11. In this section, we will share specific methods and steps to perform file recovery for Windows 11.
Method 1. Use a professional data recovery tool
The simplest way to recover permanently deleted files in Windows 11 is by using reliable data recovery software. AOMEI FastRecovery is a trusted tool designed to make file recovery easy for Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, and 7. Its user-friendly interface and clear operation guide make it accessible even for beginners.
Equipped with advanced features, it can handle tough data loss situations, including permanent deletion, system crashes, OS reinstallations, and more. The software supports recovering lost data from various storage devices, such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards, with speed and a high success rate. It can recover over 1,000 file types, including documents, photos, videos, audio, emails, and compressed files.
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. Restore permanently deleted files for Windows 11 from File History
File History, a built-in Windows backup tool, is designed to help you back up and restore user files, such as those in Desktop, Downloads, Documents, and Pictures. If you had previously enabled this feature, it might be a helpful option to consider for recovering your files.
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 3. Recover permanently deleted files with Windows Backup and Restore
Another backup tool available in Windows is Backup and Restore (Windows 7). This feature allows you to back up files from user profiles and create a system image, and it works with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Step 1. Navigate 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 4. Run Previous Version to undelete files in Windows 11
Shift-deleted or permanent files, such as Word documents, Excel files, PowerPoint presentations, and compressed files, can be recovered to their previous versions if File History or System Restore was enabled beforehand. If you don't have any backup, it is still suggested to use AOMEI FastRecovery to recover permanently deleted files for Windows 11.
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Step 1. Start File Explorer/This PC. Locate the folder which is used to save Shift Deleted files.
Step 2. Right-click it and then select Properties > Previous Version.
Step 3. Select the previous folder version and click Restore to restore Shift Deleted files to previous version.
To sum up
The 4 methods for recovering permanently deleted files in Windows 11 are practical and effective. For the best chance of restoring permanently deleted files, even if they’ve been removed from the Recycle Bin and no backup is available, AOMEI FastRecovery is a reliable and efficient solution. It can recover unlimited data in various formats.
