Recover deleted files from the Windows 10/11 Recycle Bin | Retrieve Bin Recovery
Even the most cautious individuals can accidentally delete important files. The sinking feeling that accompanies the loss of invaluable documents, cherished family photos, or critical work files is all too familiar. However, there is a glimmer of hope. This guide illuminates advanced strategies for recovering files in 2024 that you might have thought permanently lost after emptying the Recycle Bin.
Even when a file bypasses the Recycle Bin, it’s not necessarily gone forever. Thanks to advanced data recovery techniques and powerful software solutions, restoring such files is often possible. This article, brought to you by DiskInternals.com, a leader in the field of data recovery, navigates you through the most effective methods to retrieve those elusive files, offering a beacon of hope.
We’ll explore various recovery methods, from specialized file recovery software to hands-on techniques and best practices. Featuring the DiskInternals Uneraser, this tool excels with its comprehensive partition recovery capabilities, capable of retrieving files from damaged or lost partitions. Its user-friendly interface, combined with advanced recovery mechanisms, positions DiskInternals Uneraser as a top choice for recovering files that have bypassed the Recycle Bin.
This detailed guide will provide you with straightforward, practical steps, expert advice, and the best recovery tools of 2024, with a spotlight on DiskInternals Uneraser. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively handle file recovery, regardless of your technical expertise.
If you’re facing the daunting challenge of an emptied Recycle Bin and need those files back urgently, this guide is for you. Dive into the 2024 file recovery realm with us, and discover top-tier methods, including the versatile DiskInternals Uneraser, to recover what you may have thought was irrevocably gone.
Is Recycle Bin Recovery Possible?
When you delete a file on your computer, it is typically moved to the Recycle Bin or Trash folder, depending on your operating system. The purpose of these folders is to provide a temporary storage location for deleted files in case you change your mind and want to restore them.
If you accidentally delete a file and it ends up in the Recycle Bin, you can easily restore it by opening the Recycle Bin, locating the file, right-clicking on it, and selecting the "Restore" option. This action moves the file back to its original location on your computer.
However, if you have emptied the Recycle Bin or used a shortcut key to bypass it, you may assume that the file is permanently gone. While emptying the Recycle Bin does make the file inaccessible through normal means, it doesn't mean it is irretrievable.
In many cases, the deleted files are still present on the storage device until they are overwritten by new data. This means that with the help of specialized file recovery software or professional data recovery services, it is often possible to recover files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin.
These recovery methods rely on scanning the storage device for traces of the deleted files and reconstructing them. However, the success of the recovery largely depends on factors such as the file system used, the amount of time that has passed since deletion, and the extent of file fragmentation.
It is important to note that the chances of successful recovery decrease as time passes and more data is written to the storage device. Therefore, if you have accidentally deleted files from the Recycle Bin and wish to recover them, it is recommended to act quickly and avoid using the affected storage device to minimize the risk of overwriting the deleted data.
How to Recover Files Deleted From the Recycle Bin Without Trhird-Party Software
Method 1: Restore a Previous Version from File History
If you want to recover files that have been deleted from the Recycle Bin without using third-party software, one method is to restore a previous version of the file using the built-in File History feature in Windows. Here's how you can do it:
1. Open the folder where the deleted file was originally located. If you're not sure, you can try searching for the file name in the Windows File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu. This will open the "Previous Versions" tab.
3. In the "Previous Versions" tab, you will see a list of available previous versions of the folder. Each version represents a snapshot taken by File History.
4. Select the most recent version of the folder that contains the deleted file. If the file was deleted recently, there's a higher chance of finding it in a more recent snapshot.
5. Clickthe "Restore" button and confirm the action when prompted. Windows will restore the selected folder to its previous state, including the deleted file.
6. After the restoration process is complete, navigate to the restored folder and check if the deleted file is present.
Note that this method relies on the File History feature being enabled and set up on your computer. By default, File History is not enabled on all Windows systems. Therefore, if you haven't previously configured File History, this method may not work for you.
If this method doesn't help in recovering your deleted file, you may need to consider using third-party data recovery software or consult with a professional data recovery service.
Method 2. Recycle Bin Recovery with Restore Feature
If you want to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin without using third-party software, another method is to use the built-in "Restore" feature in Windows. Here's how you can do it:
1. Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop by double-clicking its icon.
2. In the Recycle Bin window, locate the file or files you want to recover. You can use the scroll bar or search for the file by name or extension.
3. Once you've found the file you want to restore, right-click on it and select "Restore" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select multiple files by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each file, and then right-click and select "Restore" for all selected files.
4. The restored files will be returned to their original location before they were deleted. If the original location is not accessible (e.g., the file was deleted from an external drive or a network location), Windows will prompt you to choose a new location to restore the file.
5. After the restoration process is complete, navigate to the location where the file was restored and check if it is present.
It's important to note that the "Restore" feature in the Recycle Bin is only applicable if the files have not been permanently deleted. If you have emptied the Recycle Bin or used Shift+Delete to bypass it, this method will not work. In such cases, you might need to resort to using third-party data recovery software or seeking professional assistance.
Method 3: Restore Files from Windows Backup and Restore
If you want to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin without using third-party software, you can try restoring them using the built-in Windows Backup and Restore feature. Here's how to do it:
- 1. Click on the "Start" button and open the "Control Panel" from the menu.
- 2. In the Control Panel, locate and click on the "Backup and Restore" (or "Backup and Restore [Windows 7]") option. This will open the Backup and Restore window.
- 3. In the Backup and Restore window, click on the "Restore my files" button.
- 4. In the next window, you'll have two options: "Restore all users' files" or "Restore files of a specific user." Choose the option that suits your needs.
- 5. If you selected "Restore files of a specific user," select the user account associated with the deleted files.
- 6. Now, you'll see a calendar view with dates that have available backups. Select the backup that was created before the files were deleted.
- 7. After selecting the backup, click on the "Next" button.
- 8. In the next window, you can choose the files or folders you want to restore. If you want to restore everything, you can leave the default selections as they are.
- 9. Click on the "Next" button and then click on "Finish" to start the restoration process.
- 10. Windows will begin restoring the selected files from the backup.
Once the process is complete, navigate to the original location of the files to check if they have been successfully restored.
Please note that the availability of backups depends on whether you have previously set up and configured Windows Backup and Restore to create regular backups. If you haven't enabled this feature or haven't created a backup before the files were deleted, this method may not be helpful.
Method 3: Restore Files from Windows Backup and Restore
If you want to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin without using third-party software, you can try restoring them using the built-in Windows Backup and Restore feature. Here's how to do it:
Restore on Windows 7:
1. Click on the "Start" button and open the "Control Panel" from the menu.
2. In the Control Panel, locate and click on the "Backup and Restore" option. This will open the Backup and Restore window.
3. In the Backup and Restore window, click on the "Restore my files" button.
4. In the next window, click on the "Browse for files" button or the "Browse for folders" button to select the files or folders you want to restore. Alternatively, you can let Windows choose what to restore by clicking on the "Restore all users' files" or "Restore all users' files of a specific backup" options.
5. After selecting the files or folders, click on the "Next" button.
6. In the next window, choose the location where you want to restore the files. You can select the original location or a different location.
7. Click on the "Restore" button to start the restoration process.
8. Windows will begin restoring the selected files from the backup. Once the process is complete, you will see a confirmation message.
9. Navigate to the location where the files were restored and check if they are present.
Restore on Windows 10:
1. Connect the external drive or storage device containing the File History backup to your computer.
2. Click on the "Start" button and open the "Settings" app from the Start menu.
3. In the Settings app, click on the "Update & Security" option.
4. From the left sidebar, select the "Backup" tab.
5. Under the "Looking for an older backup?" section, click on the "More options" link.
6. Scroll down to the "Related settings" section and click on the "Restore files from a current backup" link. This will open the File History window.
7. In the File History window, you'll see a timeline of backups. Use the arrows or the scroll wheel to navigate to the desired backup date and time.
8. Once you've reached the desired backup, navigate to the location where the file or folder was originally located.
9. Right-click on the file or folder you want to restore and select "Restore" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select multiple files or folders and click on the "Restore" button in the toolbar.
10. Windows will restore the selected files or folders to their original location.
11. After the restoration process is complete, navigate to the location where the files were restored and check if they are present.
Restore on Windows 11:
On Windows 11, the built-in backup and restore feature has been replaced with a new backup solution called "Windows File Recovery." Here's how you can restore files from a backup using Windows File Recovery:
1. Connect the external drive or storage device containing the backup to your computer.
2. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 system.
3. Search for "Windows File Recovery" in the Microsoft Store and install the app.
4. Once installed, open the Start menu and search for "Windows File Recovery." Click on the app to open it.
5. In the Windows File Recovery app, you'll need to specify the type of recovery you want to perform:
For a recently deleted file, use the command:
winfr source-drive: destination-folder /n. Replace "source-drive" with the drive letter of the source (where the deleted file was located), and "destination-folder" with the path to the folder where you want to restore the file.For a file that was deleted a while ago or a formatted drive, use the command:
winfr source-drive: destination-folder /r /n. The/rswitch performs a deep scan for recoverable files.
Note: Ensure that you have write access to the destination folder where you want to restore the files.
6. Open a Command Prompt with administrative privileges by right-clicking on the Start menu, selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
7. In the Command Prompt window, enter the appropriate command based on the recovery type you selected in step 5.
8. Press Enter to execute the command and start the file recovery process.
9. Windows File Recovery will scan the specified drive and attempt to recover the deleted or lost files to the destination folder you provided.
10. After the recovery process is complete, navigate to the destination folder and check if the restored files are present.
Please note that Windows File Recovery can recover various file types, but the success of file recovery depends on factors such as the condition of the disk, the length of time since deletion, and the presence of any data overwriting. It's always recommended to perform file recovery as soon as possible after data loss occurs to maximize the chances of successful recovery.
Method 4. How to Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin After Empty
Recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin after it has been emptied can be challenging, but there are still some methods you can try. Here's an alternative method you can use to attempt file recovery:
1. Stop using the affected drive immediately to minimize the chance of overwriting the deleted files. This is crucial to prevent permanent data loss.
2. Download and install a reliable third-party data recovery software that specializes in file recovery after emptying the Recycle Bin. There are several options available, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or MiniTool Power Data Recovery. Ensure you download and install the software on a different drive or storage device to avoid overwriting the deleted files.
3. Launch the data recovery software and follow the instructions provided by the software's interface. Typically, you'll need to select the drive or storage device where the deleted files were located before being emptied from the Recycle Bin.
4. Start the scanning process. The software will scan the drive to locate and recover any deleted files that can be found. The scanning time can vary depending on the size of the drive and the number of deleted files.
5. Once the scan is complete, the software will present a list of recoverable files. You can usually preview the files to verify their integrity before proceeding with the recovery.
6. Select the files you want to recover and choose a new location to save the recovered files. It's crucial to choose a different drive or storage device from where the deleted files were originally located to prevent overwriting.
7. Start the file recovery process. The software will attempt to restore the selected files to the designated location.
Please note that the success of file recovery after emptying the Recycle Bin depends on various factors, including the time elapsed since deletion, the disk activity after deletion, and the effectiveness of the data recovery software. The sooner you perform the recovery process, the higher the chances of recovering the deleted files intact.
Method 5. How to Recover Deleted Files from Recycle Bin with the Previous Version
To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin using the "Previous Versions" feature in Windows, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the folder that contained the deleted file(s) or navigate to the location where the file(s) were originally stored.
2. Right-click on the folder and select "Restore previous versions" from the context menu. This will open the Previous Versions window.
3. In the Previous Versions window, you'll see a list of available previous versions of the folder or files. These versions are created automatically by Windows if you have System Protection enabled or if you have a backup solution like File History or Windows Backup and Restore set up.
4. Select the most recent previous version that contains the deleted file(s) and click on the "Open" button. This will open the selected version in File Explorer.
5. In the opened version, you can browse through the files and folders and locate the deleted file(s) you want to recover.
6. Once you've found the file(s), right-click on them and select "Copy" from the context menu.
7. Navigate to a different location, such as your Desktop or another folder, and right-click in the location. Then, select "Paste" from the context menu to restore the file(s) to the new location.
8. After the restoration process is complete, navigate to the new location where you restored the file(s) and check if they are present.
Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin With Professional Help
If you have deleted files from the Recycle Bin and need professional assistance to recover them, one reliable solution is DiskInternals Uneraser. DiskInternals Uneraser is a powerful data recovery software designed to retrieve lost, deleted, or corrupted files from various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and more. With its advanced scanning algorithms and intuitive interface, DiskInternals Uneraser can help you recover your important files with ease. Whether you accidentally emptied the Recycle Bin or encountered a data loss situation, DiskInternals Uneraser can be a valuable tool in your data recovery efforts. In the following steps, we'll guide you through the process of using DiskInternals Uneraser to recover your deleted files.
1. Download DiskInternals for Windows and install it
To begin the process of recovering deleted files using DiskInternals Uneraser, you'll need to download and install the software on your Windows computer. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Look for the DiskInternals Uneraser software and click on the download link.
2. Save the installation file to a location on your computer, such as your desktop.
3. Once the download is complete, locate the installation file and double-click on it to start the installation process.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the installation wizard to install DiskInternals Uneraser on your computer.
5. Make sure to read and accept any license agreements or terms of use presented during the installation.
6. Choose the installation options that suit your preferences, such as the installation location and creating desktop shortcuts.
7. Wait for the installation process to complete. This may take a few moments.
Once the installation is finished, DiskInternals Uneraser will be ready to use for recovering your deleted files. Proceed to launch the software and follow the provided steps to recover your files from the Recycle Bin or other storage devices.
2. Launch DiskInternals Uneraser and analyze storage device
Once you have successfully installed DiskInternals Uneraser on your Windows computer, follow these steps to launch the software and analyze the storage device from which you want to recover deleted files:
1. Locate the DiskInternals Uneraser icon on your desktop or in your Start menu and double-click on it to launch the program.
2. When the DiskInternals Uneraser interface opens, you will see a list of available storage devices and partitions on your computer.
3. Select the storage device or partition that corresponds to the drive from which you deleted the files. This could be your hard drive, SSD, USB drive, or any other storage device.
4. Click on the "Next" button to proceed with the analysis of the selected storage device.
5. DiskInternals Uneraser will start scanning the storage device to locate deleted or lost files. The scanning process may take some time depending on the size of the storage device and the number of files on it.
6. While the scan is in progress, you can monitor the progress bar and the number of found files.
7. Once the scan is complete, DiskInternals Uneraser will present a list of recoverable files in a hierarchical folder structure.
8. You can browse through the folders and files to preview them and ensure they are the ones you want to recover.
Please note that DiskInternals Uneraser supports different scanning modes, such as Quick Scan and Full Analysis, to cater to different data loss scenarios. The appropriate scanning mode will be automatically selected based on the specific situation. Follow the instructions provided by the software's interface to choose the appropriate options and recover your deleted files effectively.
3. Search for lost files
After the analysis of the storage device is complete in DiskInternals Uneraser, you can proceed to search for the lost files. Follow these steps:
1. In the DiskInternals Uneraser interface, you will see the list of recoverable files presented in a hierarchical folder structure.
2. On the left side of the interface, navigate through the folders to locate the specific folder or location where the deleted files were stored.
3. If you remember the name or extension of the deleted file, you can use the search bar located at the top of the interface. Enter the name or extension of the file you are looking for and click on the "Search" button.
4. DiskInternals Uneraser will perform a search based on your criteria and display the results in the file list. The search results will include all the files that match your search parameters.
5. Browse through the search results to locate the file(s) you want to recover. You can preview the files by right-clicking on them and selecting the "Preview" option.
6. Select the files you want to recover by checking the box next to their names.
7. Choose a destination folder where you want to save the recovered files. It is recommended to choose a different storage device or location to avoid overwriting the lost data.
8. Click on the "Recovery" button or a similar option to initiate the recovery process.
9. DiskInternals Uneraser will start recovering the selected files and saving them to the specified destination folder. The time required for recovery depends on the size and number of files being recovered.
10. Once the recovery process is complete, you will receive a confirmation message.
11. Navigate to the destination folder you specified to check if the recovered files are successfully restored.
Remember to avoid saving the recovered files back to the same storage device or partition from which they were deleted to prevent overwriting the data and increasing the chances of successful recovery.
4. Preview the found files
Once DiskInternals Uneraser has located the deleted or lost files, you can preview them before proceeding with the recovery process. Here's how you can preview the found files:
1. In the DiskInternals Uneraser interface, navigate to the folder or location where the deleted files are listed.
2. Select a file that you want to preview by clicking on it.
3. Right-click on the selected file and choose the "Preview in a new window" option from the context menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+P" to open the preview window.
4. The preview window will display the content of the selected file, allowing you to view its contents and ensure it is the file you want to recover.
5. Depending on the file type, you may be able to scroll through the document, view images, play videos, or listen to audio files within the preview window.
6. If you have multiple files to preview, you can repeat the above steps for each file to preview them individually.
7. Once you have confirmed the file(s) you want to recover, close the preview window.
Previewing the files helps you verify their integrity and ensures that they are the correct files you intended to recover. It can be especially useful if you have numerous files to recover and want to select only the necessary ones. After previewing the files, you can proceed to recover them using DiskInternals Uneraser.
Restore deleted files from Recycle Bin
Step 1: Download, Install and Launch Uneraser to Start the Recycle Bin Recovery
To start the Recycle Bin recovery process with DiskInternals Uneraser, you first need to download and install the software on your computer. Once installed, launch DiskInternals Uneraser to begin the recovery process and recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin.
Step 2: Choose the Location and Start Scanning for Lost Files
After launching DiskInternals Uneraser, select the storage device or partition where the Recycle Bin is located as the target location. Then, start the scanning process to search for and recover the lost files from the Recycle Bin.
Step 3: Preview and Select the Files That You Want to Recover
Once the scanning process is complete, DiskInternals Uneraser will display a list of recoverable files from the Recycle Bin. Preview the files to ensure they are the ones you want to recover, then select the desired files for recovery before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4: Perform the Recovery
After selecting the files you want to recover from the Recycle Bin, click the "Recover" button in DiskInternals Uneraser to initiate the recovery process. The software will restore the selected files to the specified destination, ensuring that your deleted files are successfully recovered.
Step 5: View the Recovered Files
Once the recovery process is complete, you can view the recovered files in the destination folder you specified. Navigate to the folder and open the files to ensure that the recovery was successful and that your deleted files have been successfully restored.
How to Avoid Losing the Recycle Bin Content
To avoid losing the content of the Recycle Bin and prevent accidental deletion, consider the following tips:
1. Double-check before emptying: Take a moment to review the files in the Recycle Bin before emptying it. Make sure you don't have any important files that you still need.
2. Enable confirmation prompt: Adjust the Recycle Bin settings to prompt for confirmation before permanently deleting files. This extra step can help prevent accidental deletions.
3. Be cautious with "Shift + Delete": When using the "Shift + Delete" command to bypass the Recycle Bin and delete files directly, exercise caution. This action permanently deletes files without sending them to the Recycle Bin.
4. Backup important files: Regularly back up your important files to an external storage device, cloud storage, or another location. This ensures that even if files are accidentally deleted from the Recycle Bin, you have a backup copy to restore from.
5. Use file recovery software: In case of accidental deletion, having reliable file recovery software, like DiskInternals Uneraser, installed on your computer can help you retrieve deleted files.
Remember, it's always good practice to back up your files regularly and exercise caution when managing files to prevent the loss of important data.
FAQ
How to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin for free?
To recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin for free, you can try the following method:- 1. Open the Recycle Bin on your computer by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop.
- 2. Locate the deleted files you want to recover within the Recycle Bin.
- 3. Right-click on the file(s) and select the "Restore" option from the context menu.
- 4. The restored file(s) will be returned to their original location before they were deleted, such as the folder they were initially stored in.
How to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin without software?
- 1. Open the Recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop.
- 2. Take note of the files you want to recover and their original location before deletion.
- 3. Close the Recycle Bin window.
- 4. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
- 5. Navigate to the original location of the deleted files. This could be a specific folder or directory on your computer.
- 6. Right-click on the folder or directory and select the "Restore previous versions" option from the context menu.
- 7. A list of available previous versions of the folder or directory will be displayed. These are snapshots of the folder taken by Windows at different times.
- 8. Select the most recent previous version that contains the deleted files.
- 9. Click on the "Restore" button to restore the selected previous version of the folder.
- 10. The restored folder will now contain the deleted files that were present in the Recycle Bin.
Are all permanently deleted files stored in Recycle Bin?
No, not all permanently deleted files are stored in the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin acts as a temporary storage location for files that are deleted from your computer. However, certain actions can bypass the Recycle Bin and result in permanent deletion, such as using the "Shift + Delete" command, deleting files from removable storage devices, or emptying the Recycle Bin. Once files are permanently deleted, they are no longer accessible through the Recycle Bin and require specialized data recovery methods or software to attempt their recovery. It's important to have regular backups of your important files to mitigate the risk of permanent data loss.Where can I find recovered files from Recycle Bin?
Recovered files from the Recycle Bin are typically restored to their original location before deletion. Here's how you can locate the recovered files:- 1. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
- 2. Navigate to the folder or directory where the deleted files were originally stored.
- 3. Look for the recovered files within the respective folder. They should be returned to their original location after the recovery process.
It's important to note that if the files were permanently deleted or if you used specialized data recovery software to recover them, the restored files may not retain their original names or folder structures. In such cases, you may need to search for recovered files based on their content or file types.Can you recover deleted files after emptying the Recycle Bin?
Yes, DiskInternals Uneraser has the capability to recover deleted files even after the Recycle Bin has been emptied. When you empty the Recycle Bin, the files are not immediately erased from your storage device. Instead, the space they occupied is marked as available for reuse. DiskInternals Uneraser utilizes advanced scanning algorithms to locate and recover these deleted files, providing a higher chance of successful recovery even after emptying the Recycle Bin. By thoroughly analyzing the storage device, DiskInternals Uneraser can retrieve deleted files that are no longer accessible through conventional methods.