How to Recover Removed Files Windows 10 or 11

Is it possible to recover removed files in Windows?

Yes, it is possible to recover deleted files in Windows, but it depends on several factors. When files are deleted, they are typically moved to the Recycle Bin, where they can be easily restored. If the files are removed from the Recycle Bin or deleted permanently, the chances of recovery depend on whether the space on the hard drive has been overwritten. Windows doesn't immediately erase deleted files, meaning that recovery is possible with specialized tools if the data has not been overwritten by new information. However, the longer you wait, the more likely it is that the data will be overwritten, making recovery more difficult. Factors like the file system, whether backups exist, and the use of encryption can also impact the ability to recover deleted files.

How to recover removed files in Windows 11/10/8/7

Here are five effective ways to help restore erased/deleted/lost files in a Windows PC.

Way 1. Restore deleted files from Recycle Bin on Windows

If you delete files on your computer by moving them to the Recycle Bin but haven't emptied the Recycle Bin yet, recovering recently deleted files is quite simple. Follow these steps to retrieve deleted files from the Recycle Bin on Windows 10:

Step 1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.

Step 2. Browse through the items in the Recycle Bin to find the files you want to restore.

Step 3. Once you've located the files, right-click on them. 

Step 4. From the context menu, select Restore. The files will be restored to their original location.

Step 5. After restoration, you can choose to copy the files to other drives if necessary.

Way 2. Find removed files with Windows data recovery software

If the deleted files are not in the Recycle Bin and no backup versions are available, AOMEI FastRecovery can help you retrieve them. This powerful data recovery tool is designed for both PCs and laptops, offering a simple, user-friendly experience backed by over ten years of reliable performance in data recovery.

✍ Key features:
● Recover files from Windows 10 and 11, including permanently deleted items, formatted drives, RAW partitions, and more.
● Restore data from various devices, including SD cards, USB drives, HDDs, SSDs, and external hard drives.
● Retrieve a wide range of file types, including Word documents, Excel sheets, photos, videos, audio files, emails, and many others.

Download AOMEI FastRecovery for free, and follow an easy step-by-step process to recover deleted files on your PC or laptop.

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 recovery to end.

Way 3. Recover lost files from previous versions

If the deleted file is not in the Recycle Bin, or if you've emptied it and want to avoid third-party recovery tools, you can use the built-in backup and restore feature in Windows to recover earlier versions of your files. Here's how to restore deleted files in Windows 11 or 10 without needing special software:

☛ For Windows 10/8.1/8:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel.

Step 2. Navigate to File History > Restore personal files.

Step 3. Click the green Restore button to recover the deleted files.

☛ For Windows 7:

Step 1. Click the Start button, select Computer, and go to the folder that originally contained the file or folder you want to recover.

Step 2. Right-click the folder and choose Restore previous versions from the context menu.

Step 3. A list of available versions of the deleted files or folders, with timestamps, will appear. Select the version you want and click Restore to recover the deleted files.

Way 4. Retrieve deleted files from Backup and Restore

If you have set up Windows Backup previously, you can use it to recover deleted files. Ensure that the backup media or drive is connected, then follow these steps:

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

Step 2. Click Restore my files.

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

Step 4. Specify the saving path for the recovered files and click Restore.

Way 5. Recover removed files Windows with Windows File Recovery

If you’ve accidentally deleted files from your Windows PC, Windows File Recovery can help restore them. This tool is built into Windows 10 (version 19041 and later) and offers a simple way to recover lost files from your hard drive or external storage.

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.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files in Windows is entirely possible, depending on factors like whether the files are still in the Recycle Bin, whether backups exist, or if the data has been overwritten. In cases where the Recycle Bin is empty or files are permanently deleted, using reliable data recovery tools such as AOMEI FastRecovery or Windows File Recovery can be incredibly helpful. Additionally, utilizing Windows' built-in features like File History, previous versions, or Backup and Restore can provide alternative ways to recover lost data without requiring third-party software.