Powerful File Recovery Freeware to Recover Deleted Files

“Hi everyone, I just accidentally deleted a file and it was important to me. But I don’t have a backup, so I was wondering if there is any way or file recovery freeware that would allow me to get back my lost file? Please let me know, thanks in advance!”

Many users may only realize they did something wrong after deleting files via Shirt+Delete or emptying the Recycle Bin. In this case, users will be very eager to know whether the deleted files can be recovered. Please calm down, a copy of the deleted file is still stored on your hard drive until the original path is overwritten with a new file. You can try these two ways:

• If the Windows system has enabled File History and Backup and Restore, then you can find the deleted file from the files backup and restore it to the original path.
• It’s fine if you don’t turn on these two functions, I will introduce file recovery freeware in Windows for you.

Recover Deleted Files with Windows File Recovery

You might be thinking about using some third-party software to get your deleted files back—but let’s be honest, many of them come with a price tag. So why not try a free and official option from Microsoft first?

Windows File Recovery is a completely free tool developed by Microsoft that helps you recover deleted or lost files on Windows 10 version 2004 and above. It supports recovery from your hard drive, SSD, USB drive, and even SD cards. The catch? It’s a command-line tool, meaning there’s no point-and-click interface like most apps. But don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds. I’ll walk you through each step in a clear and simple way, so even if you’re not super tech-savvy, you can still use it with confidence. Let’s get started.

What to do before recovering files

Step1: First, you should figure out the File System of the disk where the deleted file is located. Because Windows File Recovery will enter different parameters according to the file system of the disk.

Step2: If Windows File Recovery is not installed on your PC, please download and install it from the Microsoft Store.

How to use Windows Files Recovery

Now, please open the Windows File Recovery and type:

winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches].

This is the standard command line for Windows File Recovery, and I’ll explain what each parameter means.

source-drive: The location where the file is located.

destination-drive: The location where the files are restored.

[/mode]: According to the File System, choose the mode.

[/switches]: According to the mode, choose the suitable Switches.

Tips:

• The source and destination drives cannot be the same. If your PC doesn’t have a suitable drive to restore deleted files, you can plug in a USB and use it as the destination drive.
• Extensive mode can divided to Signature and Segment. Signature mode recovers lost files under all File Systems using file headers. Segment mode recovers lost files under NTFS using file record segment.
• You can use * to locate the suffix of the file which needs to be recovered.

After understanding the usage of these parameters, you can enter the command line, for example:

winfr C: E: /regular /n

An alternative to Windows File Recovery 

This is the whole process of recovering deleted files with Windows File Recovery, do you think it is difficult? To be honest, if you have a computer background, you can probably learn quickly. But it’s not easy for most users.

So, I recommend you an alternative to Windows File Recovery. WinfrGUI(Support Windows 10 2004 and above) is a safe third-party deleted file recovery freeware that does not carry any bundled software. It fully invokes the functionality of Windows File Recovery and provides a graphical user interface. Users can recover deleted files from recycle bin after empty in just three steps. I believe it will definitely help you solve the problem.

Please download the freeware to see how to recover deleted files via file recovery freeware.

Step 1. Install and start WinfrGUI > select the partition where you have deleted files > choose a location to save your recovered files.

Step 2. Choose a scanning method. If you need to filter the scanning, please click “Advanced Settings”.

Step 3. Then click “Start Recovery” to get all deleted files back to your computer.

Before You Recover: A Few Final FAQ

To help you avoid common pitfalls and make the most of your recovery attempt, here are some frequently asked questions:

Q1: What should I do immediately after deleting a file?

🛑 Stop using the drive right away. The more you use it, the higher the risk of overwriting the deleted file, making recovery harder or impossible.

Q2: Can I recover files to the same drive they were deleted from?

❌ No. Always choose a different destination—like another partition or an external USB drive—to avoid overwriting lost data.

Q3: Which mode should I use in Windows File Recovery?

🔍 Start with Regular mode for recent deletions. If that doesn’t bring results, switch to Extensive mode for deeper scans.

Q4: Why are my recovered files renamed or missing their original names?

📁 That’s normal, especially in deep scans. File metadata can be lost during recovery, so always check the contents of recovered files manually.

Q5: Do I need administrator access to run these tools?

✅ Yes. Run Windows File Recovery or WinfrGUI as Administrator to ensure they can fully scan your system and restore files properly.

Summary

From what has been discussed above, this article introduces you to two free tools that can help recover deleted files from your PC—Windows File Recovery and WinfrGUI. Whether you’re comfortable with command-line tools or prefer something more user-friendly, you can choose the method that works best for your situation. Both options are safe, effective, and completely free to use. I truly hope this guide gives you a clear direction and helps you successfully get your lost files back without stress.

🔗 More Tutorials:

• Useful Data Recovery Tutorials You Should Know
• Helpful CMD Tutorials to Boost Your Skills Now