How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Recycle Bin Windows 10
Accidentally deleting important files can be a nightmare, especially when they’re gone from the Recycle Bin. But don’t panic just yet! If you’re wondering how to recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin in Windows 10, you’re in the right place. Whether you accidentally emptied the bin or lost files due to a system error, there are several ways to get your precious data back. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods to recover those files and restore your peace of mind.
What Happens When Files Are Permanently Deleted in Windows 10?
When you delete a file from the Recycle Bin or use Shift+Delete, it seems to vanish for good. But here’s what actually happens:
- Files Aren’t Immediately Gone: When you delete a file, it isn’t immediately erased from your hard drive. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as “available” for new data.
- The File’s Data Remains: Until new data overwrites that space, the file’s information still exists on your drive.
- File System Changes: Windows just removes the file’s entry from the file system’s directory, so it no longer appears in your file explorer.
- Recovery Is Possible: As long as the space hasn’t been overwritten, you can still recover these files using special recovery tools.
⚠️This is why it’s crucial to act fast after permanently deleting files—before they are overwritten by new data.
How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Recycle Bin in Windows 10?
If you’ve accidentally deleted files from the Recycle Bin, don’t worry! Here are several methods you can try to recover them:
1. Use Backup and Restore Options
- File History: If you’ve enabled File History, you can restore previous versions of your files. To do this:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
- Click More options and then Restore files from a current backup.
- Browse through the available backups and restore the deleted files.
- System Restore: If you have a system restore point set up, you may be able to recover the file as part of restoring your system to an earlier state.
2. Use Windows File Recovery Tool
- Windows File Recovery is a free tool from Microsoft that helps recover lost files from various storage devices, including your Recycle Bin.
- Download and install the Windows File Recovery tool from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the tool and select the drive where the files were located.
- Choose the mode of recovery: Default, Segmented, or Signature mode (depending on how the file was deleted).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the recovery process.
✔️3. Use Third-Party Recovery Software (WinfrGUI)
- WinfrGUI is a popular, user-friendly data recovery software designed to recover permanently deleted files from Windows 10.
- Download and Install WinfrGUI: Go to the official website and install the program.
- Launch WinfrGUI: Open the tool and select the drive where the deleted files were stored.
- Choose File Types: Select the types of files you want to recover, or let the software scan everything.
- Start the Recovery: Hit “Start” and let WinfrGUI scan your drive. It will show you recoverable files that were deleted.
- Recover Files: Once the scan is complete, you can preview the files and recover them to your preferred location.
Advanced Tips for Successful File Recovery
To increase your chances of successfully recovering permanently deleted files, follow these advanced tips:
🛠️1. Stop Using the Affected Drive
- Why it matters: Once a file is deleted, the space it occupied is marked as available for new data. If you continue using the drive, there’s a risk that new data will overwrite the deleted files, making them unrecoverable.
- Action: Immediately stop using the drive where the files were deleted. This helps prevent overwriting of the deleted data, improving the chances of recovery.
🛡️2. Don’t Restart Your Computer
- Why it matters: Restarting your computer can cause temporary files to be created, which could overwrite the space where your deleted files were stored.
- Action: Avoid restarting your computer until you’ve completed the recovery process. This helps protect the deleted data from being overwritten.
🛠️3. Use Recovery Software as Soon as Possible
- Why it matters: The sooner you attempt recovery, the better your chances of success. The longer you wait, the more likely new data will overwrite your deleted files.
- Action: Start using recovery tools like WinfrGUI or Windows File Recovery as soon as you notice the files are missing, before new data has a chance to overwrite them.
🗂️4. Choose the Right Recovery Mode
- Why it matters: Many recovery tools, including WinfrGUI, offer different scanning modes (e.g., quick scan, deep scan). Choosing the right one can make a significant difference in the recovery process.
- Action: If a quick scan doesn’t find your files, try a deeper scan mode. Deep scans look for traces of deleted files that a quick scan might miss.
🛠️5. Check File Extensions and Formats
- Why it matters: Sometimes, files are recovered but with corrupted or strange file extensions.
- Action: If you recover a file with an unfamiliar extension, try renaming it to its original format (e.g., changing “.chk” to “.docx” for Word files) and see if it opens.
These advanced tips will help you maximize your chances of successfully recovering your permanently deleted files, ensuring that you take the right steps to avoid data loss.
Tips to Prevent Future Data Loss
To avoid losing important files in the future, follow these quick tips:
📝1. Regular Backups
- Why: Backups keep your files safe.
- Action: Set up automatic backups using File History or cloud services like OneDrive.
📝2. Use Cloud Storage
- Why: Cloud storage protects your files if your computer crashes.
- Action: Store important files in OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
📝3. Enable Version History
- Why: Track and recover old versions of files.
- Action: Use OneDrive’s version history or File History to keep multiple versions.
📝4. Use Data Recovery Software
- Why: Quick recovery is easier with the right tools.
- Action: Keep tools like WinfrGUI ready in case of accidental deletion.
📝5. Avoid Shift+Delete
- Why: Files deleted this way skip the Recycle Bin and are harder to recover.
- Action: Only use Shift+Delete when necessary; let files go to the Recycle Bin for easy recovery.
Final Thoughts
Losing files can be stressful, but now you know how to recover permanently deleted files from the Recycle Bin in Windows 10. With the right tools and techniques, it’s possible to retrieve lost data and avoid future mishaps. Remember to back up important files regularly to minimize the risk of data loss. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, these recovery steps will help you recover your files and get back to work in no time!
Also Read: How to Recover Permanently Deleted Photos From Google Photos
