How to Recover Deleted Files from a PC: Ultimate Guide

We’ve all been there. Maybe you were clearing up some space on your hard drive and accidentally deleted an important file. Or perhaps you hit “Shift + Delete” instead of sending something to the Recycle Bin.

Accidentally deleting a file can feel like the end of the world—especially if it’s something important, like work documents, personal photos, or financial records.

But don’t panic. Here’s the good news: deleted files can often be recovered—whether they’re still in the Recycle Bin, backed up in the cloud, or hiding in the depths of your hard drive.

This article will discuss every method available, step by step, so you can confidently recover those files and get back on track.

Can Deleted Files Be Recovered?

The short answer is: Yes, in most cases.

When you delete a file, it’s not immediately erased from your hard drive. Instead, your computer marks the space it occupies as “available” for new data. Until that space is overwritten, the file is still recoverable.

What Happens When You Delete a File?

Let’s start with a little tech 101 (don’t worry—this won’t get too geeky).

When you delete a file, your computer doesn’t actually “erase” it.

Instead, it:

  • Removes the file’s name from the directory.
  • Marks the space it was using as free to be overwritten later.

But the actual data?
It’s still sitting there—like a book with its title ripped off the cover—waiting to be replaced.

This is why speed matters.
The longer you wait, the higher the chance new data will overwrite the file, making it harder (or even impossible) to recover.

So if you’ve just deleted something, stop using that drive until you’ve tried the steps below.

How to Recover Deleted Files from a PC
How to Recover Deleted Files from a PC

Quick Fixes Before Diving into Recovery Methods

Sometimes, the solution is surprisingly easy.

Let’s start with the basics.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

This should always be your first move.

When you delete a file, it usually goes straight to the Recycle Bin, where it sits until you manually empty it.

Here’s how to check:

  • Look for the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
  • Double-click to open it.
  • Browse through the files.
  • Found what you’re looking for? Right-click it and hit Restore.

This sends the file back to its original folder.

If the Recycle Bin is empty, don’t worry—there are still plenty of options to explore.

2. Search Your PC

Sometimes, the file isn’t deleted at all. It’s just hiding.

Maybe it got moved to a different folder.
Maybe you saved it in a weird location without realizing.

Here’s how to find it:

  • Click the search bar in your taskbar (bottom-left of the screen).
  • Type part of the file name, file type (e.g., .jpg or .docx), or even a keyword you remember.
  • Filter the search by date, file type, or size if needed.

Windows’ search tool is surprisingly powerful—use it to your advantage.

10 Ways to Recover Deleted Files from a PC

If the quick fixes didn’t help, don’t give up.
There’s still a lot you can do.

Let’s break down 10 proven methods, step by step.

1. Recover Files Using Backups

Backups are a lifesaver—if you have one.

Windows has a built-in feature called File History, which automatically saves older versions of files. If you’ve set it up, recovering a file is a breeze.

Here’s how to check:

  1. Go to the folder where the file used to be.
  2. Right-click an empty area and select Properties.
  3. Click the Previous Versions tab.
  4. Look for an older version of your file and hit Restore.

No File History?
Check if you’ve backed up files to:

  • An external hard drive.
  • Cloud storage like OneDriveGoogle Drive, or Dropbox.

Pro tip: Most cloud services keep deleted files in a separate trash folder for 30 days.

  • Log in to your cloud account.
  • Look for a Recycle Bin or Trash section.
  • Restore the file if it’s there.

2. Use Data Recovery Software

When backups fail, software is your best bet.

Recovery tools are designed to scan your hard drive and “find” files marked as deleted.

Here are some top recommendations:

  • Recuva: Free, beginner-friendly, and great for basic recovery.
  • EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: Powerful with a free trial; perfect for complex cases.
  • Disk Drill: Great for deep scans and supports multiple file systems.

How to use recovery software:

  1. Download the tool (install it on a different drive to avoid overwriting data).
  2. Run a scan on the drive where the file was located.
  3. Preview the results and select the files you want to recover.
  4. Save the recovered files to a safe location (not the same drive).

Pro tip: If one tool doesn’t work, try another. Each uses different algorithms, so results can vary.

3. Restore Previous Versions of Files

Windows automatically saves “shadow copies” of your files.
This means you can roll back to an earlier version, even if the original is gone.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to the folder where the file was stored.
  2. Right-click and select Restore Previous Versions.
  3. Choose a version from the list and click Restore.

This feature is often overlooked but can be a total game-changer.

Cleaning Up Computer Storage
Cleaning Up Computer Storage

4. Recover Files Using Command Prompt (CMD)

Feeling techy? CMD can recover hidden or corrupted files.

Here’s how:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an admin (type cmd in the search bar, right-click, and choose Run as Administrator).
  2. Enter this command:
    chkdsk X: /f
    

    Replace X with the drive letter where your file was.

  3. Then, run:
    attrib -h -r -s /s /d X:\*.*
    

This works especially well for USB drives and external storage.

5. Use System Restore

If you’ve created restore points on your PC, you can roll your system back to a time before the file was deleted.

Here’s how:

  1. Search System Restore in the Start Menu.
  2. Follow the wizard to pick a restore point.
  3. Let your PC do its thing.

This won’t always recover individual files, but it can help if a system change caused the issue.

6. Look for Temporary Files

Your PC saves temporary versions of files as you work.

Here’s how to check:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box.
  2. Type %temp% and hit Enter.
  3. Browse through the folder for your missing file.

If it’s there, move it to a safer location.

7. Recover Files from a Formatted Drive

Formatted a drive by accident? Don’t give up yet.

Specialised recovery tools like EaseUS or Disk Drill can scan formatted drives for lost data.

Steps:

  1. Install the software on a different drive.
  2. Run a deep scan on the formatted drive.
  3. Recover any files the tool finds.

This method can take longer but is highly effective.

8. Check External Devices

Files deleted from USB drives, SD cards, or external hard drives don’t go to the Recycle Bin.

Plug in the device and use recovery software to scan it.
Just make sure not to save anything new to the device before recovery.

9. Recover Files from Cloud Services

If you use OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, there’s a good chance your file is sitting in their trash folder.

Here’s how to check:

  • Log in to your account.
  • Navigate to the Trash or Recycle Bin section.
  • Restore the file if you find it.

10. Professional Data Recovery Services

When all else fails, call in the pros.

Data recovery specialists can recover files even from physically damaged drives.

It’s expensive (prices vary depending on the issue), but for critical files, it’s worth every penny.

How to Recover Deleted Files from a PC
How to Recover Deleted Files from a PC

How to Prevent Future Data Loss?

While recovering deleted files is possible, prevention is always better than cure! Here are some tips to minimize future risks:

  • Regular Backups: Use external hard drives or cloud services (like Google Drive or OneDrive) for regular backups of important files.
  • Enable File History: Make sure Windows File History is turned on so that previous versions of your files are saved automatically.
  • Be Cautious with Deletions: Always double-check before deleting any file—consider enabling confirmation dialogs for deletions in Windows settings.
  • Use Reliable Software: If using third-party applications for recovery or backup, ensure they are reputable and well-reviewed by users.