How to Recover Deleted Files from Windows 10 [Update]

Wondering how to recover deleted files from Windows 10? We’ve all been there—accidentally deleting something important can be a real pain. But don’t worry, Windows 10 has a bunch of built-in tools to help you get those files back, from the Recycle Bin to some more advanced recovery options. In this guide, we’ll break it all down for you with easy, step-by-step instructions to help you restore your lost data quickly and easily.

2025 Key Trends & Statistics

• Trust vs. reality: Only 40% of IT professionals fully trust their backup systems to protect critical data. Even though 60% expect to recover from downtime within hours, just 35% actually achieve that.
• Recovery speed: Just 14% of organizations can restore lost data within minutes. About 40% manage recovery within hours, but 35% take days or even weeks, and 8% aren’t sure how long it would take.
• Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS) growth: The DRaaS market is projected to grow from $11.99 billion in 2024 to $15.14 billion in 2025, a 26.2% annual growth rate.
• SaaS backup adoption: By 2025, 75% of enterprises are expected to depend more on SaaS application backups as part of their core data protection strategy.
• Backup testing frequency: Only 15% of businesses test their backups daily, 25% test weekly, and 12% admit they test only occasionally or not at all — leaving critical gaps in their recovery readiness.

With these figures in mind, let’s dive into five practical ways you can recover deleted files in Windows 10—starting with the simplest built‑in options and moving on to more advanced tools.

5 Methods to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin.

The Recycle Bin is the easiest and fastest place to check when you’ve accidentally deleted a file. When you delete something, Windows usually just moves it to the Recycle Bin rather than wiping it out completely — at least at first. Here’s how to see if your file is still there and get it back:

Step 1: Look for the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and double-click it to open.

Step 2: In the Recycle Bin window, scroll through the list of deleted files. If you remember the file name, you can also type it into the search box in the top-right corner to find it faster.

Step 3: Once you spot the file you want to recover, right-click on it and choose Restore from the menu.

Step 4: Your file will be put back into the folder it was in before you deleted it. Head over to that folder (like Documents, Desktop, or wherever it was saved) to check that everything looks right.

If you deleted a file by pressing Shift + Delete, or if you emptied the Recycle Bin, the file won’t appear here. In that case, don’t worry — just move on to the next recovery method in this guide.

Method 2: Use Windows File Recovery Tool

If your file isn’t in the Recycle Bin, don’t worry — you still have options. Microsoft offers a free tool called Windows File Recovery that can help you recover permanently deleted files. It’s a bit more advanced because it works through the command line, but I’ll break it down step by step.

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store on your computer.

Step 2: In the search bar, type Windows File Recovery. When you see it in the results, click Get or Install to download and set it up.

Step 3: Once installed, open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click the Start button, choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)).

Step 4: In the Command Prompt window, type the recovery command using this format:

winfr source_drive: destination_drive: /mode /switches

Example: this would try to recover Word documents from drive C and save them to drive D.

winfr C: D: /regular /n *.docx

• source_drive: The drive where your files were deleted.
• destination_drive: A different drive where recovered files will be saved (can’t be the same as the source).
• /mode: The scan type, like /regular (for recently deleted files) or /extensive (for deeper scans).
• /switches: Extra options, like /n to specify file types or paths.

Step 5: When you’re ready, press Enter and confirm if prompted. The tool will scan and attempt to recover your files.

This tool requires Windows 10 version 19041 or newer. If you’d rather not deal with command lines, check out Method 3, which uses a simpler graphical interface.

Method 3: Use WinfrGUI (Free Tool)

If using the command-line Windows File Recovery tool feels too technical, you’re not alone. WinfrGUI offers a simple, free alternative by providing a graphical interface that eliminates the need for commands. With WinfrGUI, you just select the drive where you lost files, pick a destination to save recovered data, and click a button to start scanning. Its intuitive design makes recovering lost files easy and accessible for anyone, even if you’re not familiar with command prompts or advanced tools.

Step 1: Download WinfrGUI from the official website and install it according to the instructions.

Step 2: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Step 3: In the main window, select the drive where you lost your files (for example, C:).

Step 4: Choose a different drive as the destination to save the recovered files (for example, D:). This helps prevent overwriting any lost data.

Step 5: Pick your recovery options (like scanning specific file types or folders) and click Start to begin the recovery process.

Step : When the scan is finished, browse the results, select the files you want to recover, and save them to a safe location.

WinfrGUI is a great choice if you want the power of Windows File Recovery without dealing with command-line instructions.

Method 4: Recover from File History

If you had File History enabled before the file was deleted, this tool can help you restore previous versions of your files or folders — no extra software needed. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Press Windows + S on your keyboard to open search.

Step 2: Type Restore your files with File History and click on the matching result.

Step 3: In the File History window, go to the folder where your deleted file was originally stored.

Step 4: Use the arrows at the bottom to browse through different backup versions of the folder.

Step 5: When you find the version that contains your deleted file, select it and click the green Restore button. The file will be returned to its original location.

Tip: If you’d rather save the restored file somewhere else, right-click the green Restore button and choose Restore to so you can select a different folder.

File History only works if it was set up and turned on before the file was deleted. If it wasn’t enabled, move on to the next recovery method.

Method 5: Restore from Backup Copies

If you’ve been regularly backing up your data (either to an external drive, a cloud service, or another safe location), this is one of the most reliable ways to get your deleted files back. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Connect your external backup drive (if you use one) or log into your cloud storage account (such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or another service).

Step 2: Open the backup folder and browse to where your deleted files were stored.

Step 3: Look for the most recent backup version of the file or folder you want to recover.

Step 4: Copy the file or folder and paste it back to its original location — or another location if you prefer.

Step 5: Double-check the restored file to make sure it’s complete and works as expected.

If you’re not currently backing up your data, now is a great time to set up a regular backup routine. It can save you from a lot of stress in the future.

Pros and Cons of Different Recovery Methods

Troubleshooting FAQ:

Q1:Can I recover deleted files if I don’t have a backup?

Yes, it’s often possible to recover deleted files even without a backup — as long as the deleted data hasn’t been overwritten by new files. Using tools like Windows File Recovery or WinfrGUI, you can scan your drive to find and restore lost files. However, the sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the better your chances are. Avoid saving new files or installing software on the affected drive to prevent overwriting.

Q2: How can I recover deleted files in Windows 10 without software?

Trash recovery in Windows 10 lets you restore lost data without third-party applications. Simply double-click the recycling tank icon on your desktop, choose the files you wish to restore, and drag them to the folder.

Q3: Can I permanently recover deleted files in Windows 10?

Windows 10 will retrieve permanently lost data if “temporary deletion” is used. If you mean recently deleted files. From recycling tanks, they may recover. Files deleted for a lengthy period are unlikely to be restored.

Q4: Is there free data recovery software for Windows 10?

Yes, there are several free recovery software options for Windows 10.

• WinfrGUI: Easy to use UI with excellent performance
• TestDisk: Average powerful command-line interface
• Windows File Recovery: Average Powerful Command Line Interface
• PhotoRec: Average Powerful Command Line Interface
• Recuva: Lower-performance graphical user interface

Q5: Can I recover permanently deleted files last month in Windows 10?

The likelihood of recovering permanently deleted files last month in Windows 10 depends on two factors: luck and backup behavior. If you’re lucky, the delete files may still be on your hard drive, making it possible to recover using data recovery software. Also, backups such as those created with file history can recover files no matter how long they’ve been erased.

Q6: Where are permanently deleted files going in Windows 10?

When you clean the tray or use the Shift + Delete abbreviation to delete a file, Windows marks it negatively and deletes all the clarifications, making the user invisible. However, the deleted file remains on your computer until Windows rewrites with new information.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted files in Windows 10 is feasible using various methods, each with its advantages and limitations. Utilizing built-in tools like the Recycle Bin and File History is straightforward but depends on prior configurations. For more advanced recovery, tools like Windows File Recovery and WinfrGUI offer robust solutions, though they may require additional learning. Regularly backing up your data remains the most reliable strategy to prevent data loss.​

Disclaimer: Success rates of data recovery methods vary based on factors like file system type, time elapsed since deletion, and disk activity. Always ensure you have the legal right to modify or access the document in question.

🔗 Also Read: Recover Data From Formatted Hard Drive With 3 Methods