2025 Solutions: How to Recover Deleted Files from Windows 10

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 Backup & Recovery: 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 do.
• Recovery Speed: Merely 14% of organizations can restore lost data within minutes; just over 40% meet their recovery‑within‑hours goals; 35% take days or weeks, and 8% aren’t even sure of their recovery time.
• DRaaS Growth: The Disaster Recovery‑as‑a‑Service market is set to jump from $11.99 billion in 2024 to $15.14 billion in 2025—a 26.2% CAGR—underscoring the shift to cloud‑based recovery models.
• SaaS Backup Adoption: By 2025, 75% of enterprises are predicted to rely more heavily on SaaS‑application backups as part of their core data‑protection strategy.
• Testing Frequency: Just 15% of businesses test their backups daily and 25% weekly; only 11% run daily disaster‑recovery tests, while 12% admit they test “ad hoc” or not at all—leaving critical gaps in 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 Ways to Recover Deleted Files in Windows 10

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin.

Before attempting more complex recovery methods, always check the Recycle Bin:​

Steps:

1. Open Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.​
2. Locate Files: Browse or search for the deleted files.​
3. Restore Files: Right-click the desired file and select “Restore” to return it to its original location.​

Note:

• Files deleted using “Shift + Delete” or emptied from the Recycle Bin are not recoverable using this method.​

Method 2: Use Windows File Recovery Tool

If files are not in the Recycle Bin, Microsoft’s Windows File Recovery Tool can assist:​

Installation:

1. Open the Microsoft Store.​
2. Search for “Windows File Recovery” and click “Get” to install.

Usage:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.​
2. Use the following syntax:​

bash

winfr source_drive: destination_drive: [/mode] [/switches]

• source_drive: Drive where files were deleted.​
• destination_drive: Drive to save recovered files.
• /mode: Recovery mode (e.g., Normal, Extensive).​
• /switches: Additional parameters (e.g., /n for file name).​

Note:

• Windows File Recovery is a command-line tool and requires Windows 10 version 19041 or higher.

Method 3: Use WinfrGUI (Free)

WinfrGUI is a graphical user interface (GUI) for Winfr, making it easier for users to recover lost files from NTFS drives without using the command line.

Installation:

1. Download WinfrGUI from the official website.​
2. Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions.

Usage:

1. Open WinfrGUI.​
2. Select the source and destination drives.​
3. Choose recovery options and click “Start.”​

WinfrGUI simplifies the recovery process with an intuitive interface.

Method 4: Recover from File History

If File History was enabled:

Steps:

1. Press Windows Key + S, type “Restore your files,” and select it.​
2. Browse to the folder containing the deleted file.​
3. Select the file and click the green “Restore” button.​

Note:

File History must have been previously enabled for this method to work.

Method 5: Restore from Backup Copies

If you regularly back up your data:

Steps:

1. Navigate to your backup location (external drive, cloud storage).​
2. Locate the deleted files and restore them to their original location.​

Note:

• Regular backups are essential for data protection.
• Permanently recovering deleted files is possible with these methods.

Pros and Cons of Different Recovery Methods

How to Recover Deleted Files From Windows 10: FAQs

Q1:How to recover lost files on Windows 10?

To recover lost files on Windows 10, follow these steps:

• a. Press the Windows button, type “Windows File Recovery” and select it.
• b. In the Command Prompt window, use the specified format to enter the command: Winfr source drive: Destination-Drive: [/mode] [/ Switch]
• c. There are two recovery modes available: Normal and Extensive.
• d. After selecting the drive and entering the instructions, make sure the source and destination drivers are different.
• e. Finally, click on “Y” to start the recovery.

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.

• a. WinfrGUI: Easy to use UI with excellent performance
• b. TestDisk: Average powerful command-line interface
• c. Windows File Recovery: Average Powerful Command Line Interface
• d. PhotoRec: Average Powerful Command Line Interface
• e. 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.

Q7: How can I permanently recover deleted files in Windows 10 without a backup?

An active file history function on your computer can permanently retrieve lost files. Follow these steps:

• a. Open the file survey and find the deleted files folder.
• b. Click history on tape.
• c. Browse the chosen folders’ backup history using the options below.
• d. Click the top arrow to restore all folders or a single file. Click green to finish healing.
• e. File location is restored.

These strategies might help you restore Windows 10 lost files. Remember to do it promptly and use backups to avoid irreparable data loss.

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