Using System Restore to Recover a File I Accidentally Deleted?

Using System Restore to recover a file I accidentally deleted?

System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to revert system files and settings to an earlier state. By creating restore points, it can help you undo changes that may have caused system problems, such as errors after installing new software, drivers, or Windows updates.

Can System Restore recover deleted files? While this feature is effective for troubleshooting various system issues, it does not recover any deleted personal files, such as documents, images, or videos. Instead, it simply restores your computer's system configuration to an earlier setup. It only captures a snapshot of essential system components and settings when creating a restore point.

How to Perform System Restore

Although System Restore cannot help you recover personal files, it can restore the previous state of your computer's software configuration. People commonly use it when their system encounters issues or fails to boot properly. In this section, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to performing a System Restore on Windows 10.

Turn on System Restore

If you have never enabled System Restore before, follow these steps to turn it on:

Step 1. Right-click on This PC on the left sidebar of File Explorer, then choose Properties.

Step 2. Select the System Protection on the right.

Step 3. If you didn't turn on System Restore before, you could see the protection status of each drive partition is labeled as off. 

Step 4. To enable this feature, select a specific drive and then click the Configure button.

Step 5. Keep the option Turn on system protection is selected and click the Apply button.

Create a Restore Point

After turning on this feature, you need to create restore points for further recovery.

Step 1. Type Create a restore point in the search box and select it from the list of results.

Step 2. In the System Properties window, select System Protection > Create.

Step 3. Type a description for the restore point, and then select Create.

Revert the System to a Previous state

Here’s how to restore the failed system using the created restore points:

Step 1. Type control panel in the search box and open it.

Step 2. Click on Recovery > Open System Restore > Next.

Step 3. Choose a restore point and then select Next > Finish to restore the current system.

Alternative Ways to Recover Deleted Files

In addition to using System Restore to recover a file I accidentally deleted, what other methods are available for retrieving lost data? This section offers three effective methods to recover deleted files. Follow these instructions to easily get lost data back.

Fix 1. Recover from the Recycle Bin

When your files are accidentally deleted, they are usually moved to the Recycle Bin. This special system folder is designed to temporarily store deleted files or folders. And you can easily get them back as long as the Recycle Bin has not been emptied. Follow these steps to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin:

Step 1. Open the Recycle Bin first. Often, accidentally deleted folders can be found here.

Step 2. Search your file within the search bar.

Step 3. Right-click on the search result and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Fix 2. Restore Permanently Deleted Files with Software

Sometimes, you may fail to find your file in the Recycle Bin since it has been permanently moved. In this situation, recovering deleted files can be challenging. Fortunately, your system will retain the deleted file until new data overwrites its storage location. Therefore, you can recover it with the help of a professional data recovery tool.

We’d like to recommend a reliable data recovery tool for you—AOMEI FastRecovery. It is designed to assist users in retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted files on Windows 11/10/8/7 and all Windows Servers with ease.

This powerful tool offers efficient and user-friendly features that have garnered a vast user base worldwide. Whether your files were deleted by accident or lost due to a system crash, AOMEI FastRecovery can effortlessly retrieve them with its high performance and rich experience. Feel free to download the tool from the link below and give it a try:

A step-by-step guide to recovering deleted files with AOMEI FastRecovery:

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2. Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes, Quick Scan and Deep Scan:

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

Step 3. Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4. Specify a path for them and wait for the process to complete.

Fix 3. Recover through Backups

In addition to restoring accidentally deleted files with software, another reliable solution is to recover files through backups, provided you have created copies beforehand. Many tools are available to help you back up data and provide recovery options when needed.

One commonly used tool is Backup and Restore (available in Windows 7 and later). This feature is designed to create copies of your data and system files, making it especially useful for recovering files lost due to system failures or accidental overwrites. To recover deleted files from backups, follow these steps below:

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.

FAQs

Q1: Will System Restore delete my files?

No, System Restore will not delete your personal files like documents, photos, or videos. It primarily affects system files, installed programs, and settings by restoring them to a previous state. However, any changes made to system settings or installed software since the restore point will be undone, but your personal files remain intact.

Q2: What type of data does System Restore recover?

System Restore is primarily designed to help recover system files, settings, and configurations by reverting your system to a previous state. Will System Restore recover deleted files? No, it will not restore personal data such as documents, photos, or music files unless those files were part of a system configuration change.

Q3: Can System Restore fix errors caused by file deletion?

Yes, System Restore can sometimes resolve errors caused by the deletion of files that are part of the system configuration. However, if the deleted files are personal files—such as documents, photos, or videos—System Restore will not recover them.

Summary

Unexpected file loss can happen anytime during daily tasks. You might wonder, "What about using System Restore to recover a file I accidentally deleted?" Unfortunately, System Restore only recovers system files, settings, and configurations—not personal files.

No need to worry! This article introduces three effective methods to recover deleted files. By following these methods, you can easily retrieve your files with minimal data loss. For a faster and simpler recovery process, we recommend using AOMEI FastRecovery for reliable data retrieval.