It happens sometimes on Windows that accidently you deleted some files or directory with pressing Shift + DELETE key (not sending it to Trashbin) or by deleting fies / dirs by sending them in Trashbin but you decided you want them back once you have cleared up the Trashbin.
If this is the case it is pretty easy to recover deleted files in Windows using free (freeware) unpaid soft and tools, to do so chooose on of the many options described and follow the some of below methods by the well known and reputable tools pointed next.
1. Use Recuva (Free Version)
Recuva is one of the most popular free file recovery tools from the makers of CCleaner.
Steps:
-
Download from the official site: https://www.ccleaner.com/recuva
-
Install and open Recuva.
-
Select the type of files you want to recover (e.g., pictures, documents).
-
Choose the drive where the file was deleted.
-
Use the Deep Scan option if the regular scan fails.
-
Select files to recover and save them to a different drive to avoid overwriting.
2. Use PhotoRec (Part of TestDisk)
Despite the name, PhotoRec can recover many types of files, not just photos.
Steps:
-
Download TestDisk & PhotoRec: https://www.cgsecurity.org/
-
Extract the archive and run
-
Select the drive, then the partition.
-
Choose the file system type (typically "Other").
-
Select a destination for recovered files on another drive.
-
Let it scan and recover files.
-
⚠️ PhotoRec runs in a command-line interface but is powerful and completely free.
Note that Photorec is also available and can be used on Linux to recover files and if you're used to do things from command line I strongly recommend to give it a try on Windows as well.
3. Windows File History / Previous Versions (If Enabled)
If File History or System Protection was enabled:
Steps:
-
Right-click the folder where the file was.
-
Choose Restore previous versions.
-
Browse previous versions and restore as needed.
4. Windows File Recovery (Microsoft's Free CLI Tool)
A command-line tool from Microsoft for advanced users is avalable it is called winfr
Steps:
-
Download from Microsoft Store: Windows File Recovery
-
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
-
To recover just a single file use the command:
C:>
winfr C: D: /regular /n UsersYourNameDocumentsfile.txt
Replace paths as needed.
-
To recover a directory it is pretty much the same except you have to include the directory instead of file
C:>
winfr C: D: /regular /n UsersYourNameDocumentsYourDeletedFolder
Replace
C:
and
D:
with the appropriate source and destination drives.
-
C:
= source drive (where the folder was deleted)
-
D:
= destination drive (where recovered files will be saved)
-
/n
= path filter (target folder)
-
/regular
= mode suitable for NTFS drives
Important Tips:
- Stop using the drive where the file was deleted to avoid overwriting it.
- Always recover to a different drive.
- The sooner you act, the higher the recovery success rate.
More helpful Articles
Tags: command, Deleted, destination, directory, download, drive, ecover, Files, Free, free software restore files, freeware, How to, howto, Important Tips, restore accidently deleted files, restore directory, restore files windows, single file, software, type, unpaid, use, using, Windows, Windows File Recovery Microsoft, wwindows, www
