Accidentally deleting videos from your Windows computer can be frustrating especially when they're not in the Recycle Bin anymore. Whether it’s cherished memories, creative content, or professional footage, losing important videos can feel like a major setback. Fortunately, Microsoft offers a powerful solution: Windows File Recovery.
Windows File Recovery is a free command-line tool developed by Microsoft that helps users recover permanently deleted files from local storage devices, including HDDs, SSDs, USB flash drives, and memory cards. It supports recovery of a wide range of file types including video formats like MP4. AVI, MOV, and WMV.
1. Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a command-line-based tool, meaning there is no graphical interface. It operates through PowerShell or Command Prompt and is built for users who want more control over file recovery operations.
Windows File Recovery is available on Windows 10 version 2004 and later, including Windows 11.
2. What You Need to Know Before You Start
Before using Windows File Recovery to recover videos, consider the following:
Stop Using the Drive Immediately: Continued use of the drive may overwrite deleted data, making recovery difficult or impossible.
The Tool Recovers Files from Drives, Not Network or Cloud Storage: You cannot use it to recover files from OneDrive, shared drives, or network locations.
You Will Need Administrator Access: Running Windows File Recovery requires admin privileges.
3. Downloading and Installing Windows File Recovery
You can download Windows File Recovery directly from the Microsoft Store:
Open Microsoft Store from your taskbar or Start menu.
Search for Windows File Recovery.
Click Get and install the app.
After installation, launch it via Start > Windows File Recovery or open Command Prompt (Admin) and type winfr.
4. Understanding Recovery Modes
Windows File Recovery has three main recovery modes:
1. Regular Mode (Default)
Fast and best for recently deleted files on non-SSD (HDDs, external drives).
Works only on NTFS-formatted drives.
2. Extensive Mode
Uses signature-based recovery.
Ideal for SSDs or formatted drives.
Slower but more thorough.
3. Segment Mode
Uses file system records for recovery (NTFS).
Better when file metadata is still available.
Tip: Use Extensive Mode for video recovery, especially if the file was deleted long ago or if the drive was formatted.
5. Basic Command Syntax
The basic structure of a command using Windows File Recovery looks like this:
bash
CopyEdit
winfr SourceDrive: DestinationDrive: /mode /switches
SourceDrive: — Drive where the file was deleted.
DestinationDrive: — Where you want to save recovered files (must be different from source).
/mode — Recovery mode (Regular, Extensive, Segment).
/switches — Filters and options for the scan.
6. Step-by-Step: Recovering Deleted Videos
Let’s walk through the process of recovering deleted videos using Windows File Recovery.
Step 1: Identify the Drive
Determine the drive where the video was deleted from. For example, if you deleted a video from the D: drive, that’s your source drive.
Also, prepare a destination folder on a different drive, such as E:\RecoveredVideos.
Step 2: Launch Windows File Recovery
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type winfr to check if the tool is working.
Step 3: Run the Recovery Command
Use the following command for video recovery:
bash
CopyEdit
winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /extensive /n *.mp4 /n *.mov /n *.avi
Explanation:
D: — Source drive
E:\RecoveredVideos — Destination folder
/extensive — Recovery mode
/n *.mp4 — Filter to search only for MP4 files
Add additional /n switches for other formats like MOV and AVI
Step 4: Confirm and Proceed
The tool will ask for confirmation before starting the recovery. Type Y and press Enter.
Step 5: Wait for Recovery to Complete
Recovery time depends on the drive size and file volume. Once complete, you’ll see a summary and can check the destination folder for recovered videos.
7. Advanced Techniques for Better Results
Recover Videos by Folder Path
If you know the folder where the video was stored:
bash
CopyEdit
winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /regular /n \Users\YourName\Videos\*.mp4
Recover Deleted Videos by Name
To recover a specific video:
bash
CopyEdit
winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /regular /n mywedding.mp4
Use Segment Mode for Faster Results (NTFS Only)
bash
CopyEdit
winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /segment /n *.avi
Recover Videos from Formatted Drive
Use Extensive Mode for formatted drives:
bash
CopyEdit
winfr D: E:\RecoveredVideos /extensive /n *.mp4
8. Limitations of Windows File Recovery
While powerful, this tool has limitations:
No GUI — It's command-line only, which may be intimidating for beginners.
Doesn’t Work with Cloud or Network Drives.
Limited by File System — Best for NTFS. Recovery on FAT or exFAT is limited.
No Video Preview — Unlike third-party tools, you can’t preview recovered videos before saving.
No Repair for Corrupted Videos — It doesn’t fix damaged or unplayable files.
9. Alternatives and Complementary Tools
Panda Data Recovery
Panda Data Recovery is a trusted solution for retrieving lost, deleted, or corrupted files, including videos, from various storage devices. While it offers its own user-friendly interface and tools, it also supports integration with Windows File Recovery—a command-line utility provided by Microsoft for advanced users. This combination gives users both simplicity and power when attempting to recover valuable video files.
To recover videos using Windows File Recovery through Panda Data Recovery, begin by identifying the drive where the video files were originally stored. Make sure not to write any new data to this drive to avoid overwriting the deleted content. Next, download and install Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store. Launch the utility in Administrator mode.
10. Tips to Prevent Future Video Loss
Enable File History or use backup software to protect important videos.
Use Cloud Storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) for syncing.
Avoid Unsafe Removal of USB drives and SD cards.
Don’t Save Recovered Files to the Same Drive you’re recovering from.
Invest in Quality Storage (branded SSDs, high-end memory cards).
Windows File Recovery is a powerful, free, and efficient tool for recovering deleted videos on Windows devices. With the right mode and command switches, you can recover video files that are permanently deleted—even from formatted or damaged drives.
While the command-line interface may seem intimidating at first, the process becomes easy with practice. For those who prefer a visual interface or need video repair features, third-party tools like Panda Data Recovery or Stellar can be excellent companions.
Ultimately, recovering videos with Windows File Recovery is entirely possible—and often surprisingly successful—if you act quickly and follow the proper steps. The key is to stop using the affected drive, choose the right recovery mode, and recover to a separate drive to protect your data.
