Your family computer contains a huge number of valuable memories and important files. Sometimes, because of your mistake or any unforeseen circumstance, your computer can get messed up and stored files get deleted. You can lose all your files and folders. This usually happens if the stored files are deleted accidentally or if your computer gets formatted or infected by a virus.
The good thing is that even if your files seem lost, you can easily get them back on a Windows PC. This is because when you delete something on a Windows PC, it is not really gone. Your lost files are still there as long as new files do not overwrite the place where your lost files were stored on a Windows PC.
This guide will show you how file deletion actually works on a Windows PC. We’ll explore different reasons for data loss on a Windows PC and quick DIY methods that you can try to recover your deleted files on a Windows PC.
Table of contents
Why deleted files are often not gone forever
Many of you must think that deleting a file using the Delete key removes it permanently, but in fact that is usually not the case. When a file is deleted on Windows:
- The operating system takes the file's entry out of its file system.
- Space for storage is listed as being available for new data.
- So long as new data overwrites that space, part of the original file may still be left on the drive.
It's similar to taking the title off the catalogue entry for a book in a library. The book will still remain on the shelf until it is replaced by another book.
That is why it is good to act quickly in order to restore your lost files with ease – the longer you wait, the more complex data recovery process will be.
Common reasons moms lose important files
It will be easy to recover lost files on Windows if you know the exact cause of your data loss. Among the most common situations are:
Accidental Deletion
Important family data may be unexpectedly lost because files are accidentally deleted during a cleanup process or by children using the computer.
Emptying the Recycle Bin
Deleted files on Windows go to the Recycle Bin folder. Once you empty this folder, these deleted files become inaccessible, although in many cases recovery is still possible.
Formatting a USB Drive
If a USB drive is formatted (accidentally or intentionally), all the stored files, including your photos, videos, and documents, become inaccessible.
Virus or Malware Attack
Malicious programs like viruses and malware can delete, hide, encrypt, or damage files. This makes regular antivirus updates important for keeping your data safe.
System Crash
Unexpected Windows crashes, failed updates, or blue screen errors may temporarily or permanently make important files inaccessible without recovery.
Hard Drive Errors
If the Hard drives you are using are quite old, it starts showing errors such as slow performance, files disappearing, or making clicking noises, which in turn may result in data loss instances.
Pre-requisites for smooth file recovery on Windows
Now that you’re familiar with different data loss scenarios, it’s important to immediately proceed with quick recovery approaches. For smooth data restoration:
- Avoid saving new files or installing software on the drive where the deleted data was earlier stored to prevent overwriting.
- Try identifying the exact reason for your data loss, as the right recovery method depends on these causes.
- Before applying any advanced recovery workaround, check if your deleted file is present in the Recycle Bin.
- Choose reliable Windows file recovery software that supports your file system (NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT) and storage device.
How can moms recover deleted files on Windows?
Your immediate actions have a huge impact on the recovery process. You can easily go with the below DIY free data recovery methods to restore your lost files.
Method 01: Check the recycle bin
As mentioned, the Recycle Bin is the first place that you need to check for your deleted files. Every deleted file goes to this folder and remains there until permanently deleted. Here’s how to restore files:
- Double-click the Recycle Bin icon from your desktop.
- Locate and right-click the deleted file you need to restore.
- Select Restore to save selected file(s) to their original location.
If your deleted file is not in the Recycle Bin folder, go with the below advanced methods.
Method 02: Restore using previous versions
Windows OS offers a built-in feature called Previous Versions, which you can use to restore earlier versions of files or folders if backups or File History were enabled. All you have to do is:
- Right-click the folder where your deleted file was stored.
- Select Restore previous versions and browse through available backup versions.
- Now, choose the backup file you want to restore and tap “Restore”.
This method is particularly useful if a file was accidentally overwritten or modified.
Method 03: Check cloud backups
If you’ve synced your Windows PC with cloud backups like OneDrive, Google Drive, etc., you may be able to recover data using these backups. For this:
- Log in to your cloud storage account (Microsoft, Google, or other cloud service account).
- Browse through the backup folder where the deleted files were earlier stored.
- If you cannot find the file, then search for it within the cloud Recycle Bin/Trash folder, as the deleted files usually stay there temporarily.
- Once found, choose the file and tap the “Restore” button to restore it.
Method 04: Try free data recovery software
In case the built-in recovery fails to restore your deleted files, try free data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Free. This tool enables you to recover your deleted photos, documents, videos, emails, and other types of files from a Windows PC in a few simple clicks. You will find this software easy to use with its user-friendly interface. This recovery process is quite easy for mothers to recover accidentally deleted family photos, school projects, household documents, or any other types of data.
Here’s how you can restore data using this free data recovery software:
- Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Free software on a storage drive that is different from the one where the deleted files were earlier stored to avoid data overwriting.
- Launch the software and choose the type of file you want to recover, such as photos, videos, emails, etc. (or select All Data), then click Next to proceed.
- Choose the folder or hard drive where the files were previously stored and click Scan to initiate the scanning process.
- Once the scanning is completed, preview the recoverable files and then click Recover to save them to a different drive or to an external storage device.
Conclusion
A sudden loss of data on your Windows PC can certainly cause you great distress, particularly when the files include your precious family photographs, financial information, or some other personal data. Yet in many cases, the files deleted from a Windows computer are not actually erased immediately, so you have the opportunity to restore them before they are overwritten.
Knowing how file deletion takes place and using quick recovery methods with Windows built-in tools or third-party free data recovery software can help you in easy and quick data recovery. Moreover, you can consider certain preventive measures like creating backups to preserve your family's important memories and documents for years to come.
