How to recover deleted files on Windows

The sooner you act, the better your chances. Work through these steps in order: the first two are free and often enough.

1. Check the Recycle Bin

Open the Recycle Bin, find the file and choose Restore. Files deleted with Shift+Delete, from USB drives or from network folders skip the bin.

2. Check backups and cloud history

Look in OneDrive or Google Drive trash, in File History or “Restore previous versions” on the folder, and in any backup you made.

3. Stop using the drive

New data can overwrite deleted files. Do not install programs or save files to that drive. For an SD card or USB stick, remove it now.

4. Make an image if the drive is failing

If the drive makes noises or shows errors, create a sector-by-sector image onto another drive with the Disk Tools tab in the Windows app, then scan the image.

5. Scan and recover to another drive

Run the app as Administrator, add the drive or image, choose the file types you need and press Start. Tick the files and save them to a different drive than the one you are scanning.

What if nothing is found?

SSDs usually erase deleted data with TRIM, and overwritten data is gone for good. A professional lab is the next option for a physically damaged drive.