Key takeaways
- Check the Recycle Bin, previous versions and any cloud backup first.
- Stop using the drive if the files matter. New data can overwrite the deleted files.
- For a failing or formatted drive, a technician has the best chance of recovery.
Stop and think
When a file is deleted, the space is marked as free but the data often remains until new data overwrites it. The more you use the laptop, the lower the chance of recovery. If the files are important, stop saving and installing things.
Check the Recycle Bin
Open the Recycle Bin on the desktop, find the file, right-click it and choose Restore. This returns it to its original place.
Look for previous versions
Right-click the folder where the file was and choose Properties, then Previous Versions if it is available. Windows may have kept earlier copies through File History or restore points.
Check your cloud and email
If you use OneDrive, Google Drive or a similar service, check the web version and its trash or recycle bin. Check your email sent folder and chat apps, which often hold copies of files you shared.
Recovery software
Recovery programs can find deleted files on a drive. Install them on a different drive, never on the one you are recovering, and save recovered files somewhere else. They work best soon after deletion, and results vary, especially on SSDs.
When it needs a professional
If the drive clicks, disappears, was formatted or the laptop will not start, stop using it and bring it to a technician. Further use can reduce the chance of recovery.
Prevent the next loss
Keep two copies of important files, one on an external drive and one in the cloud, and check that the backups open. A backup is the only reliable recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can permanently deleted files be recovered?
Sometimes. It depends on how long ago, whether the drive has been used since and the type of drive. Acting quickly helps.
Can files be recovered from a formatted laptop?
Often some or all can, if the drive has not been heavily used since. Stop using it and get it checked.
Is recovery software safe?
Use well-known software from the maker's own site and install it on another drive. Avoid cracked versions, which can carry malware.
We repair laptops and build websites and business systems. Have a question this guide did not answer? Message us.
This guide is general advice. Every device and business is different, so if you are unsure, ask a technician before you act.
