How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 11

Data is one of the most valuable assets anyone can possess. It can be incredibly frustrating and potentially disastrous to lose important files due to accidental deletion or system errors.

Fortunately, with Windows 11, the latest and most advanced operating system from Microsoft as of 2024, there are several built-in features and external tools available that can help you recover deleted files. In this article, we will guide you through various methods and step-by-step procedures to recover deleted files on Windows 11.

Whether you have accidentally deleted a file, emptied your recycle bin, or lost data due to a system crash, this article will help you recover your important files and get you back on track.

Let's dive in and learn how to retrieve those lost files on Windows 11.

What Leads to Windows 11 Data Loss

Data loss in Windows 11 can occur due to various reasons, some of which are listed below:

1. 1. Accidental Deletion: This is one of the most common reasons for data loss. It includes accidentally deleting files or folders and then emptying the Recycle Bin.

2. 2. System Crash: A sudden system failure or crash can lead to loss of unsaved data or even corruption of existing files.

3. 3. Malware and Virus Attacks: Malware and viruses can corrupt files, delete data, or cause system crashes, leading to data loss.

4. 4. Software Conflicts: Conflicting software or applications can sometimes cause files to become corrupt or inaccessible.

5. 5. Hard Drive Failure: Physical damage or failure of the hard drive can lead to a significant loss of data stored on the drive.

6. 6. Power Outages: Unexpected power outages can lead to unsaved data loss or, in worse cases, file corruption.

7. 7. Human Error: This includes mistakes such as accidentally formatting a drive or partition, incorrect installation of the operating system, or accidental deletion of system files.

8. 8. Hardware Conflicts: Conflicts between different hardware components, such as between the motherboard and the hard drive, can lead to data loss.

9. 9. File Corruption: Files can get corrupted due to various reasons such as software conflicts, malware attacks, or system crashes.

10. 10. Operating System Upgrades: Sometimes, upgrading the operating system can lead to data loss if not done properly or if there is an issue during the upgrade process.

How to Search for Files and Folders on Windows 11

How to Recover Deleted Files/Folders in Windows 11

Fortunately, Windows 11 has several built-in features and external tools that can help you recover your lost data. In the upcoming section, we will guide you through different methods to recover deleted files and folders in Windows 11, from using the built-in tools like Recycle Bin and File History, to utilizing third-party recovery tools. With these methods, you will be able to retrieve your lost files and folders, even if you have emptied the Recycle Bin or lost files due to a system crash. Stay tuned for a detailed step-by-step guide on how to recover your deleted files and folders on Windows 11.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Files from a Recycle Bin in Windows 11

The Recycle Bin is a special folder in Windows that stores deleted files and folders temporarily. When you delete a file or folder, it is moved to the Recycle Bin rather than being permanently deleted. This allows you to recover accidentally deleted files easily. Here's how you can recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin in Windows 11:

1. 1. Locate the Recycle Bin:

• Find the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and double-click it to open.

1. 2. Search for the Deleted Files:

• Browse through the list of deleted files and folders or use the search box in the top-right corner to find the file or folder you want to recover.

1. 3. Restore the Files:

• Right-click on the file or folder you want to restore and select 'Restore' from the context menu. This will restore the file or folder to its original location before it was deleted.

1. 4. Check the Original Location:

• Go to the original location of the file or folder to make sure it has been restored.

1. 5. Empty the Recycle Bin:

• If you are sure that you have recovered all the necessary files, you can empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin icon and selecting 'Empty Recycle Bin'. This will permanently delete all the files in the Recycle Bin.

Note: If you have emptied the Recycle Bin or the file you are trying to recover is not in the Recycle Bin, you will need to use a different method to recover the file.

Remember, it is always a good practice to regularly backup your files and be careful when deleting files or emptying the Recycle Bin. Also, keep in mind that the Recycle Bin has a size limit, and once it is full, Windows will start permanently deleting the oldest files. If you can't find the file you are looking for in the Recycle Bin, it may have been permanently deleted, and you will need to use a file recovery tool.

Method 3: Restore Files Using the File History Feature

The File History feature in Windows 11 is a very useful tool that automatically backs up your files and folders at regular intervals. This feature needs to be enabled and set up before you can use it to restore files. If you have already set up File History, you can use it to restore deleted or modified files. Here's how you can do it:

1. 1. Open File History:

• Go to 'Settings' by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting 'Settings'.
• Click on 'System' and then 'Storage' on the left sidebar.
• Scroll down and click on 'Advanced storage settings', then click on 'Backup options'.
• Under 'Backup', click on 'Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)'.
• Click on 'Restore my files'.

1. 2. Search for Files:

• Click on 'Browse for files' or 'Browse for folders' to search for the deleted or modified files you want to restore. You can select multiple files or folders.

1. 3. Select the Files:

• Select the file or folder you want to restore. If you want to restore the file to a previous version, click on the file and then click on the green round arrow button to see all the available versions. Select the version you want to restore.

1. 4. Restore the Files:

• Click on the 'Restore' button to restore the selected files or folders to their original location. If you want to restore the files or folders to a different location, click on the 'Browse' button to select a different location.

Note: The File History feature needs to be enabled and set up before you can use it to restore files. If you have not set up File History, this method will not work, and you will need to use a different method to recover your files.

Remember to regularly backup your files using the File History feature or any other backup tool to ensure you can easily recover your files in case of accidental deletion or modification.

Method 5: Restore from Your Previous Backup

Restoring from a previous backup is one of the safest and most effective ways to recover deleted files or folders. It's crucial to have a backup strategy in place and regularly backup your data to an external drive, cloud storage, or another safe location. If you have a backup of your files, you can easily restore them when needed. Here’s how you can restore your files from a previous backup:

1. 1. Connect Your Backup Device:

• Connect the external drive, USB drive, or any other device where you have stored your backup to your computer.

1. 2. Locate Your Backup:

• Open the device and locate the backup folder or file. If you have used a backup software, open the software, and locate your backup.

1. 3. Restore Your Files:

• If you have manually copied your files to the backup device, simply copy the files or folders you want to restore and paste them into the desired location on your computer.
• If you have used backup software, follow the software's instructions to restore your files.

Note: The steps to restore your files may vary depending on the backup software you have used. Refer to the software's user manual or support website for detailed instructions on how to restore your files.

Method 7: Use Microsoft's Windows File Recovery Tool

Microsoft's Windows File Recovery Tool is a free app available from the Microsoft Store that can help you recover deleted files. It's a command-line app that can recover a variety of file types from most storage media.

Here's how you can use the Windows File Recovery Tool to recover your deleted files:

1. 1. Install Windows File Recovery Tool:

• Go to the Microsoft Store and search for 'Windows File Recovery'.
• Click on 'Get' or 'Install' to download and install the app.

1. 2. Open Windows File Recovery Tool:

• Open the Start menu and type 'Windows File Recovery' and click on the app to open it.

1. 3. Select Recovery Mode:

The app offers three recovery modes: Default, Segment, and Signature.

• Default: This mode is for recently deleted files and uses the Master File Table (MFT) to locate lost files.
• Segment: This mode is for files that were deleted a while ago and does not use the MFT but searches for segments belonging to lost files.
• Signature: This mode is for recovering specific types of files across the disk and is used for external storage devices.

1. 4. Run the Command:

   • Open Windows Terminal as an administrator.
   • Type the command for the recovery mode you want to use:
     • For Default mode:
       bash Copy code

       winfr source-drive: destination-folder /r /n *.*
     • For Segment mode:
       bash Copy code

       winfr source-drive: destination-folder /r /seg /n *.*
     • For Signature mode:
       bash Copy code

       winfr source-drive: destination-folder /x /y: /n *.*
   • Replace source-drive with the drive letter of the drive where the deleted files were located, destination-folder with the folder where you want to recover the files, and file-types with the file types you want to recover (e.g., jpg, png, docx, etc.).

2. 5. Check the Recovered Files:

• Go to the destination folder and check if the deleted files have been recovered.

Note: The Windows File Recovery Tool is a powerful utility, but it may not recover all deleted files, especially if the files have been overwritten or the disk is damaged. It is recommended to use this tool as soon as possible after deleting the files to increase the chances of successful recovery.

Remember, it is always a good practice to regularly backup your files and be careful when deleting files or formatting disks. If you have lost important files, the Windows File Recovery Tool can be a helpful option for recovering your data.

Method 9: Undo Deletion in Windows 11

The "Undo Delete" option is a quick and simple way to recover files that you have just deleted. This method only works if you haven't performed any other actions like copying, moving, or deleting other files or folders after the deletion. Here's how you can use the "Undo Delete" option in Windows 11:

1. 1. Immediately After Deletion:

• Right after you delete a file or folder, either by pressing the 'Delete' key or by right-clicking and selecting 'Delete', do not perform any other actions.

1. 2. Use Undo Delete:

• Right-click on an empty space in the folder where the file or folder was deleted and select 'Undo Delete'. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard.

1. 3. Check the File or Folder:

• The file or folder should reappear in its original location.

Note: The "Undo Delete" feature only works immediately after the file or folder has been deleted. If you have performed any other actions, such as copying or moving other files or folders, the "Undo Delete" option will not work, and you will need to use another method to recover the deleted file or folder.

Remember, the "Undo Delete" feature only works for files and folders deleted from the file system. If you have deleted a file or folder from the Recycle Bin, this method will not work, and you will need to use a file recovery tool.

How to recover files on Windows 11 after an upgrade

Method 2: Enable administrator account

Sometimes after upgrading to Windows 11, your user account may lose its administrator privileges, which could make it seem like some files are missing or inaccessible. Enabling the administrator account can help you recover these files. Here's how you can enable the administrator account in Windows 11:

1. 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Right-click on the Start button and select 'Windows Terminal (Admin)' to open the Windows Terminal with administrative privileges.
   • In the Windows Terminal, select 'Command Prompt' from the dropdown menu in the tab.

2. 2. Enable the Administrator Account:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     bash Copy code

     net user administrator /active:yes
   • This command will enable the built-in administrator account.

3. 3. Log Out and Log In as Administrator:

   • Log out of your current account and log in as the administrator. The administrator account should now be available as an option on the login screen.

4. 4. Access Your Files:

   • Once logged in as the administrator, you should be able to access all files and folders on your computer. Locate your files and copy them to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage.

5. 5. Disable the Administrator Account:

   • After recovering your files, it is recommended to disable the administrator account for security reasons. To do this, open the Command Prompt as an administrator again and type the following command:
     bash Copy code

     net user administrator /active:no
   • This command will disable the built-in administrator account.

Note: Enabling the administrator account should be done with caution, as it has full access to all files and settings on your computer. Make sure to disable the administrator account after recovering your files to keep your computer secure.

Remember, it is always a good idea to have a backup of your files before making any significant changes to your computer, such as upgrading your operating system or enabling the administrator account.

Method 4: Recover files after Windows 11 upgrade with native backup

Recovering files using a native backup is always a good option if you have created a backup before upgrading to Windows 11. Windows includes several backup tools, including File History and Windows Backup and Restore. Here's how you can recover your files using these tools:

a) File History:

File History is a feature that automatically saves copies of your files over time. If you had File History turned on before the upgrade, you can use it to restore your files.

1. 1. Open File History:

   • Open the Settings app and go to 'System' -> 'Backup' -> 'More options' to open the File History settings.

2. 2. Restore Your Files:

   • In the File History settings, click on 'Restore files from a current backup'.
   • This will open a window where you can browse and restore your files.

b) Windows Backup and Restore:

Windows Backup and Restore is a feature that creates a backup of your entire system, including your files and settings.

1. 1. Open Backup and Restore:

   • Open the Control Panel and go to 'System and Security' -> 'Backup and Restore (Windows 7)'.

2. 2. Restore Your Files:

   • Click on 'Restore my files' and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your files.

Note: Restoring your files from a backup will replace the current versions of the files with the versions from the backup. Make sure to save any changes to your files before restoring from a backup.

Remember, it is always a good idea to have a backup of your files before making any significant changes to your computer, such as upgrading your operating system. If you didn't have a backup before the upgrade, make sure to create one as soon as possible to protect your files in the future.

Do you lose your files when upgrading to Windows 11?

When upgrading to Windows 11, your files and personal data should not be lost or deleted. The upgrade process is designed to preserve your files, settings, and applications. However, it's always recommended to have a backup of your important files before any major system upgrade or changes, just as a precautionary measure.

During the upgrade process, Windows typically migrates your files, documents, photos, and other user data to the new operating system. It preserves the contents of your user folders such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos, as well as the data in other locations on your hard drive.

However, it's important to note that unexpected issues can occur during any software upgrade, and there is always a slight risk of data loss. Therefore, it's advisable to make sure you have a recent backup of your important files stored in a separate location, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another computer, to ensure their safety.

By taking proper precautions, such as backing up your files, you can minimize the risk of data loss and have peace of mind when upgrading to Windows 11 or any other operating system.

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