Easy Steps to Recover Shift Deleted Files Windows 11

Where do Shift Deleted files go?

When you try to delete a file using the Shift + Delete keys, a prompt will ask, "Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?" You might click "Yes" without thinking. Once you do, the file is deleted from the disk, and you won't find deleted files in the Recycle Bin or anywhere else. However, the file is still recoverable as long as it hasn't been overwritten. Windows only removes the file's entry and marks the space as "free" for new data.

To increase your chances of recovery, immediately stop using the drive and recover the Shift-deleted files in Windows 11 as soon as possible. Continuing to use the drive could result in data loss. The best approach is to use comprehensive data recovery software like AOMEI FastRecovery. Alternatively, if you have backup copies, try restoring the files from the backup image.

How can you recover files deleted with Shift Del in Windows 11?

Although the Shift-Deleted files are permanently deleted; however, this does not imply that there is no method of recovering them. In Windows 11, it is possible to retrieve permanently deleted files by employing data recovery software such as AOMEI FastRecovery, downloading them directly from a cloud storage service, or utilizing a backup image. Consequently, which approach should you implement?

In all honesty, utilizing data recovery software, such as AOMEI FastRecovery, is one of the most straightforward methods. The disk is accessed and exhaustively scanned for deleted or lost files using powerful scanning algorithms that are embedded in the software. It is not necessary to pre-backup files to an external disk or cloud storage. Furthermore, any operation will result in additional data loss. To prevent this, it is recommended that the method with the highest success rate be implemented.

Recover Shift Deleted Files in Windows 11 via data recovery tool

AOMEI FastRecovery is a Windows data recovery software that is both user-friendly and dependable. With a high success rate, Windows 11 enables users to effortlessly locate and retrieve irreversibly deleted files through its two advanced scanning methods, Quick Scan and Deep Scan.

👉 Recover all hard drives and SSDs, including Kingston, Samsung, SanDisk, WD, and Toshiba, with no brand limitation.
👉 Recover a variety of file types, including Word documents, Excel files, PPT, pictures, videos, and compressed files, without sacrificing quality or corruption, superseding 200 file formats.
👉 Preview and retrieve specific files during the scanning procedure. You do not need to wait for the scanning result.
👉 Advanced capabilities, such as Crashed PC Recovery. It is capable of recovering data from a hard drive in the absence of an operating system.
👉 Support all Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 PC and all Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012.

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.

Recover files deleted with Shift Del in Windows 11 using Windows Backup tools

Windows includes a variety of backup software, including File History, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), and Back up files to OneDrive. These programs enable users to create duplicates of their critical files on various storage devices, including internal or external disks, USB drives, and OneDrive. In the event of data loss, it is possible to retrieve files from the backup.

1. Restore Shift Deleted Files from File History

File History, a Windows backup software, can replicate and restore user files, including those located in Desktop, Downloads, Documents, and Pictures. If you activate it beforehand, you may wish to consider this option.

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.

2. Recover Permanently Deleted Files via Backup and Restore

An additional backup software for Windows is Backup and Restore (Windows 7). This software is capable of backing up files in user profiles and incorporating a system image in Windows 7, 8, 10, and11.

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.

3. Perform Shift Deleted File Recovery from OneDrive

OneDrive, the cloud backup service that is included with Windows 11, is utilized by numerous users to backup local folders to OneDrive. The same is true for the Windows 10 operating system. If you are one of them, you may attempt to retrieve Shift Deleted files from OneDrive.

Step 1. Go to https://onedrive.com/ and log in with your Microsoft OneDrive account.

Step 2. Navigate to the folder containing permanently deleted files. Select the file you want to restore and click the Download button to retrieve permanently deleted files in Windows 11 or 10.

4. Recover Shift + Deleted Files in Previous Version

Shift Deleted files, including Word documents, Excel files, PPT, and compressed files, can be restored to their previous versions by enabling File History or System Restore.

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.

Tips: How to avoid accidental loss of Your Files

Create Regular Backups: Use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a reliable backup service to regularly back up your important files. Automate the process to ensure backups are consistently made without needing to remember. 

Store Files in the Cloud: Use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to store and sync important files. This ensures your files are accessible from anywhere and protected against local hardware failures.

Avoid Desktop Storage: Storing files directly on the desktop increases the risk of accidental deletion or loss during system updates or crashes. Users may confront "folders disappeared from Desktop" after Windows Update or OS crash. So, store files in organized folders within your documents or a dedicated drive.

Enable Version History: Many cloud services and some software offer file versioning, which allows you to restore previous versions of a file if you accidentally overwrite or delete it.

Choose Reliable Software: Use trusted and well-reviewed software for managing your files. Avoid using pirated or unverified software that may corrupt or delete files unintentionally.

Conclusion

You are now aware of some effective methods and how to recover Shift deleted files in Windows 11 step by step. The most straightforward approach is to utilize AOMEI FastRecovery, a potent yet free data recovery software. It is possible to locate all recoverable files and effectively recover them without sacrificing quality or corruption due to the exceptional algorithm.

Furthermore, to mitigate future data loss, it is recommended that three backup copies be generated and two of them be stored on distinct storage devices, including external disks, USB drives, and cloud storage.