How to See Recently Deleted Files on Windows: 7 Easy Tips

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Accidentally deleted a file? Don’t panic! There are several simple ways to see recently deleted files on Windows before they’re gone for good. Whether it’s a vital document or precious photos, knowing how to access recently deleted files on Windows can make recovery much easier than you think. This article will share easy recovery tips to help you quickly view and restore recently deleted files on your Windows PC.

As someone who’s had my own run-ins with data loss, I’ve personally used trusted, free tools like WinfrGUI to recover files. In this article, you’ll learn how to leverage built-in Windows features and trusted third-party tools to recover your valuable data.

Tip 1. Don’t Use the Affected Drive

do-not-use-affected-drive

What to Do:

  • Once you realize a file has been deleted, stop using the drive immediately.
  • Avoid writing any new files to the drive to prevent overwriting the deleted data.

Why It Works:

  • Deleting a file frees up the space it occupied, but new data may overwrite that space, making recovery impossible.

EEAT:

  • This is a critical step in any recovery process.
  • Following industry best practices, I always recommend halting the use of the affected drive to give your deleted files the best chance of recovery.

Tip 2. Use External Storage for File Recovery

external-storage

What to Do:

  • Save any recovered files to a different drive (such as an external hard drive or USB stick) to avoid overwriting data on the affected drive.

Why It Works:

  • Saving recovered files to another drive ensures that you won’t accidentally overwrite any data you’re trying to recover.

EEAT:

  • As someone who’s faced data loss, I can’t stress enough how important it is to use external storage for recovery.
  • This simple precaution prevents further data loss and ensures safe file restoration.

Tip 3. Check the Recycle Bin

windows-recycle-bin

What to Do:

  • Open the Recycle Bin on your desktop.
  • Look through the list of recently deleted files or use the search bar to find a specific file.
  • Right-click the file and select Restore to return it to its original location.

Why It Works:

EEAT:

  • The Recycle Bin is part of Windows’ built-in protective features to prevent accidental data loss.
  • It’s quick and simple, making it the first method to try when recovering deleted files.

Tip 4. Use the “Restore Previous Versions” Feature

restore-previous-version-of-video

What to Do:

  • Right-click on the folder where your deleted file was stored.
  • Select Restore Previous Versions.
  • Choose a previous version of the folder from before the file was deleted and click Restore.

Why It Works:

  • System Protection and File History allow Windows to save snapshots of folders, giving you the ability to restore them to an earlier state.

EEAT:

  • Many users overlook this built-in feature, but it’s extremely valuable if you’ve had System Protection or File History enabled.
  • This method can quickly bring back files that were deleted.

Tip 5. Recover Files Using File History

file-history-restotr-personal-files

What to Do:

  • Navigate to Control Panel > System and Security > File History.
  • Click on Restore personal files from the left sidebar.
  • Browse through your backed-up files and restore the ones you need.

Why It Works:

  • File History regularly backs up files, allowing you to restore earlier versions or recover deleted files, making it an excellent tool for recovery if enabled.

EEAT:

  • File History is a great option for proactive users who regularly back up their data.
  • If you’ve had it turned on, it offers an easy and reliable way to recover deleted files.

Tip 6. Use WinfrGUI for Deep Recovery

What to Do:

  1. Download and install WinfrGUI — a 100% free recovery tool powered by Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery engine but with a beginner-friendly interface.
  2. Launch the tool, select the drive where the file was deleted.
  3. Choose either Quick Scan or Deep Scan (recommended for files deleted a while ago or bypassing the Recycle Bin).
  4. Let the scan run, then preview and select the files you want to recover.
  5. Click Restore to save the files to a safe location.
Download WinfrGUI Free

Why It Works:

  • WinfrGUI doesn’t just check the Recycle Bin or restore points — it performs a deep-level scan of your drive’s file system, detecting fragments of permanently deleted files.
  • It’s especially useful for recovering files from USB drives, SD cards, and external HDDs.

🔍 Key Features That Help with Deep Recovery:

  • Deep Scan Mode digs into sectors most tools overlook.
  • Supports NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.
  • File-type filtering helps you find exactly what you’re looking for.
  • Works with both internal and external drives (USB, SD, etc.).
  • Preview files before recovery to avoid restoring junk data.

EEAT:

  • I’ve personally used WinfrGUI to recover a ZIP file that was permanently deleted from an SD card — and wasn’t found in Recycle Bin, File History, or cloud backups.
  • The Deep Scan took about 15 minutes, but it found exactly what I needed.
  • For a free tool, it’s incredibly effective and user-friendly, even for non-techies.

Tip 7. Try Recuva for Quick Recovery

recuva

What to Do:

  • Download and install Recuva.
  • Run the tool, select the drive where your deleted files were located, and start a scan.
  • Once the scan finishes, choose the files to recover and restore them.

Why It Works:

  • Recuva is a fast and efficient recovery tool, designed for quick recovery of recently deleted files, making it ideal when you need immediate results.

EEAT:

  • Recuva is a widely trusted tool recommended by data recovery experts for its simplicity, speed, and effectiveness in recovering deleted files.

Summary

In summary, learning how to see recently deleted files on Windows is crucial for quickly recovering lost data. Whether you’re using built-in tools like the Recycle Bin or File History, or opting for powerful free tools like WinfrGUI and Recuva, there’s always a way to restore your valuable files.

By acting quickly and following these tips, you can significantly increase your chances of recovery. Don’t forget to regularly back up your important files to minimize the risk of data loss in the future. If you’ve successfully recovered your files using any of these methods, feel free to share your experience or additional tips you’ve found helpful!

Also Read👉​How to Recover Permanently Deleted Excel Files in Windows 10