Losing important files due to permanent deletion can be a distressing experience. However, there are several methods and tools available on Windows 11 that can help you recover those lost files.
When you delete a file on Windows 11. it doesn't immediately disappear from the hard drive. Instead, the space occupied by the file is marked as available for reuse, and the file's entry in the file system directory is removed. Until the space is overwritten by new data, the file can potentially be recovered. Permanent deletion usually occurs when you empty the Recycle Bin or use the Shift + Delete shortcut to bypass the Recycle Bin.
Method 1: Using the Recycle Bin
Check the Recycle Bin: The first step in recovering deleted files is to check the Recycle Bin. If you deleted the file by accident and haven't emptied the Recycle Bin, the file should be there. Open the Recycle Bin, locate the file you want to restore, right - click on it, and select "Restore". The file will be returned to its original location.
Method 2: Using System Restore Points
Enable System Restore: System Restore creates snapshots of your system's configuration and files at regular intervals. To use this feature, make sure System Restore is enabled. Go to "Control Panel" > "System and Security" > "System" > "System Protection". Select the drive where your files are located and click "Configure". Ensure that "Turn on system protection" is selected and set an appropriate disk space usage.
Restore from a Restore Point: If System Restore is enabled and there are available restore points, you can use them to recover deleted files. Go to "Control Panel" > "System and Security" > "System" > "System Protection". Click "System Restore" and follow the on - screen instructions to select a restore point and restore your system to that point. This method may restore not only the deleted files but also other system settings and files that were changed since the restore point was created.
Method 3: Using File History
Enable File History: File History is a feature in Windows 11 that automatically backs up your files at regular intervals. To use File History, you need to enable it and have a backup drive connected. Go to "Control Panel" > "System and Security" > "File History". Click "Turn on File History" and select the drive where you want to store the backups.
Restore Files from File History: Once File History is enabled and has created backups, you can restore deleted files from it. Open File History from the Control Panel and click "Restore personal files". You can browse through the backups and select the files you want to restore. You can also choose to restore specific versions of files if multiple versions are available.
Method 4: Using Third - Party Data Recovery Software
Panda Data Recovery is a powerful tool designed to help users restore deleted files quickly and efficiently. Whether you've accidentally deleted important documents, lost photos, or formatted your storage device, Panda Data Recovery provides a reliable solution to recover lost data.
With support for various file types, including documents, images, videos, and archives, Panda Data Recovery scans internal and external storage devices, such as hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, and SD cards. Its user-friendly interface ensures that even non-technical users can navigate the recovery process with ease.
The software utilizes advanced scanning algorithms to locate and restore lost files, even from corrupted or formatted drives. It offers both quick and deep scans, allowing users to retrieve recently deleted files or recover data from more complex scenarios.
Method 5: Using Command Prompt
Using the 'attrib' Command: The 'attrib' command in Command Prompt can be used to recover deleted files in some cases. If the file was deleted with the hidden or system attribute set, you can use the 'attrib' command to remove those attributes and make the file visible again. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Navigate to the directory where the file was located using the 'cd' command. Then use the 'attrib - h - s - r file_name' command, replacing 'file_name' with the actual name of the deleted file. This will remove the hidden, system, and read - only attributes from the file, making it accessible.
Using the 'recover' Command: The 'recover' command can also be used to recover deleted files. However, it is a more advanced method and may not work in all cases. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Use the 'recover drive_letter:' command, replacing 'drive_letter' with the letter of the drive where the files were deleted from. This command will attempt to recover all the files on the specified drive. The recovered files will be saved in a file called "FILEnnnn.REC" in the root directory of the drive, where "nnnn" is a sequential number. You can then rename and move these files to their original locations.
Precautions and Best Practices
Stop Using the Drive Immediately: After realizing that files have been deleted, stop using the drive where the files were located as soon as possible. This helps prevent new data from being written to the drive, which could overwrite the deleted files and make them unrecoverable.
Regular Backups: The best way to avoid data loss is to perform regular backups of your important files. Use Windows 11's built - in backup features like File History or System Restore, or use external backup drives and cloud storage services. This way, if files are deleted or lost, you can easily restore them from the backups.
Be Careful with Deletions: Always double - check before deleting files, especially when using the Shift + Delete shortcut or emptying the Recycle Bin. Consider creating a separate folder for files that you are unsure about deleting and keep them there for a while before permanently deleting them.
Keep Software and Drivers Updated: Make sure your Windows 11 operating system, as well as any data recovery software and device drivers, are up to date. Updated software and drivers often have better compatibility and performance, which can improve the chances of successful file recovery.
