How to Recover Deleted PDF Files [Windows 10]: 9 Fixes

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PDF files are common and provide crucial information in the digital era. It’s little wonder many individuals want to recover lost PDF files. There has been no complete method on retrieving inaccessible PDF files before now. Here’s a complete guide on how to recover deleted PDF files Windows 10, including file corruption fixes. We will examine Windows PDF file recovery options.

Part 1: Recover Deleted PDF Files – Is it Possible?

Fortunately, PDF files may be recovered. However, some criteria must be satisfied for recovery:

  • No one has rewritten the deleted PDF.
  • Unsaved PDFs are in temporary files.
  • The lost PDF was not on a TRIM-enabled SSD.

If these prerequisites are satisfied, you can go on to the PDF file recovery techniques section. Data recovery is time-sensitive.

Let’s examine Windows’s most common PDF recovery solutions.

Part 2: Recovering Deleted PDF Files in Windows

Method 1: Trash Can

Before using complex recovery procedures, check the recycle bin for deleted PDFs. Windows retains recently deleted files in the recycle bin.

  • To retrieve a recycle bin-deleted PDF:
  • Click the desktop trash can icon to open it.
  • Highlight the PDF to recover.
  • Right-click the PDF and select “Recover”.

Method 2: Local Backup

Should you find that recycling the trashcan does not produce satisfactory results, you should verify your backup. In the event that you have just transferred the PDF files onto a USB flash drive or an SD card, it will be convenient for you to copy them back onto your computer.

Method 3: OneDrive

Windows comes with a cloud backup service called OneDrive, which may be used to retrieve PDF files that have been deleted. This service is included in the Windows operating system. In the event that you log in to Windows by utilizing your Microsoft account, there is a high probability that OneDrive is already active on your own computer. For the aim of retrieving your PDF files, the following procedures should be followed:

  • The following is the link: https://onedrive.com/
  • In order to successfully log in, you must use your Microsoft account.
  • You may either use the search box or go to the folder where the PDF file is placed in order to find it.
  • In order to retrieve the PDF file, please choose the file that you wish to retrieve again.
  • To proceed, you should select “Download.”

Method 4: File History

Among the many helpful backup features that are included in the most recent version of Windows is the File History tool. It will automatically create backups of files in a certain area, which will make recovery of such files much simpler.

To retrieve PDF files that have been erased using the file history:

  • Launch Windows Explorer and right-click on the folder that was the original location of the PDF file that was erased.
  • Make your selection “Restore previous version.”
  • To see the contents of the backup, select the backup that is most pertinent from the list of file histories and then click the “Open in File History” button.
  • To recover the PDF file you wish to restore, choose the file you want to recover and then click the green “Recover” button.

Method 5: Data Recovery Software

If everything else fails, use third-party data recovery software. These programs restore irrevocably erased files without backups.

Many free and commercial data recovery software applications exist. Make sure a tool supports PDF file recovery and read internet reviews to verify its trustworthiness.

For speed, we used the free data recovery program WinfrGUI and produced a step-by-step instruction.

Free Data Recovery Software: WinfrGUI

WinfrGUI is an easy-to-use GUI version of Windows File Recovery, which is a command-line data recovery software officially developed by Microsoft. This tool supports commonly used file formats and systems, making it suitable for complex data recovery situations, and possible to recover deleted PDF files Windows 10.

Download WinfrGUI Free

To recover your PDF files using WinfrGUI:

  • Download and activate WinfrGUI.
  • Select the storage device where the deleted PDF file is located and click “Search for lost data.”
  • Use the file type filter on the left to narrow down the search results until you find the desired PDF file. View their content on the right.
  • Select the checkbox next to the PDF file you want to recover, then click the blue “Recover” button.
  • Specify the recovery folder and click “Next.”

>>Also Read: 3 Effective Methods to Find Temporary Excel Files

Part 3: Recovering Unsaved PDF Files

Accidentally losing an unsaved PDF file due to a sudden shutdown can be really frustrating. Depending on your PDF reader, you might be able to recover the unsaved file from the auto-save folder or temporary files.

3.1 Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader will automatically attempt to recover unsaved PDF files after a crash. All you need to do is select the file you want to recover.

To recover unsaved PDF files in Adobe Acrobat Reader:

  • Start the Acrobat program or open the most recent file you were working on.
  • Click “Yes” to open the auto-saved file or other files.
  • Save the file with the same name as the original file.

To enable automatic saving in Adobe Acrobat Reader:

  • In the settings chat box, select “Documents” under the category.
  • Select “Automatically save document changes to a temporary file every xx minutes.”

3.2 Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader has an auto-save feature that helps automatically save your work at specified intervals. If the original file is accidentally deleted, you can recover it from the temporary files on Windows and Mac.

To enable automatic saving in Foxit Reader:

  • Open the file menu and select settings.
  • Click on “Documents” and enable the “Auto-save files” option.
  • Click “OK” to confirm.

3.3 Nitro PDF Reader

Nitro PDF Reader has an automatic recovery feature that helps recover your work after an unexpected crash. The Pro version can recover open PDF files, including the viewing status and unsaved changes as well.

To enable automatic saving in Nitro PDF Reader:

  • Open the settings and go to the general section.
  • Select the option “Save application status every xx.”

Part 4: Repairing Corrupted PDF Files

Although PDF files are well-known for preserving content and formatting, they still carry the risk of corruption. Several factors can lead to file corruption, such as failed downloads or transfers, storage device failures, and improper shutdowns of the computer.

Fortunately, there are ways to repair corrupted PDF files.

Method 1: Online PDF Repair Tools

You can find online tools specifically designed for repairing corrupted PDF files. iLovePDF offers a reliable and user-friendly option.

In repairing a damaged PDF with iLovePDF:

  • Go to: https://www.ilovepdf.com/repair-pdf
  • Click “Select PDF file.”
  • Select the damaged PDF file that you want to repair.
  • Click on “Repair PDF.”
  • Download the revised PDF file, please.

Method 2: Converting PDF to Word

The PDF to Word converter program can extract valuable information from damaged PDF files. Nitro Software has a reliable online file conversion tool.

To convert a PDF file to Word using Nitro:

  • Visit: https://www.pdftoword.com/
  • Please select the PDF file you would like to convert.
  • Please provide your email address.
  • Click the “Convert Now” button.
  • Please check your mailbox for the converted files.

Method 3: Alternative PDF Readers

Some PDF readers handle corrupted files better than others. If your default PDF reader cannot repair the corrupted PDF, try the following alternatives:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Windows, Mac)
  • Foxit Reader (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  • Nitro PDF Reader (Windows)

Part 5. Recovering Expired PDF Files

It can be frustrating to encounter an expired PDF file that cannot be opened. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a hacker to unlock an expired PDF file. There are online tools available that can remove the file’s protection measures.

One tool that can help is Unlock PDF, which allows you to easily unlock expired PDF files.

To unlock expired PDF files with Unlock PDF:

  • Visit: https://smallpdf.com/unlock-pdf
  • Click “Select File.”
  • Please select the expired PDF file that you would like to unlock.
  • Confirm that you have the right to edit the file and remove its protection.
  • Download the unlocked file, please.

Other online tools that can unlock expired PDF files include iLovePDF, PDF2Go, and PDF.io.

What is an expired PDF file?

An expired PDF file is a file that cannot be opened because the creator has restricted access until a specified date and time. These PDF files are often used to restrict access to sensitive information, particularly in the business sector. Since the PDF file format does not directly support expiration dates, third-party digital rights management (DRM) tools are necessary to create PDFs that automatically expire.

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of recover deleted PDF files Windows 10, you can confidently tackle issues related to PDFs. Always prioritize data recovery and follow the recommended methods to achieve the best results.