Where to Find Deleted Files in Windows 10: 5 Easy Ways

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Accidentally deleting a file on your Windows 10 computer can be frustrating, especially when it’s something important that you didn’t mean to lose. The good news is, finding deleted files in Windows 10 isn’t always as difficult as it seems.

Whether you accidentally hit the wrong button, or a system glitch caused your files to disappear, there are several ways you can potentially recover those lost files. In this guide, we’ll show you where to find deleted files in Windows 10, offering simple solutions and step-by-step instructions for recovering your data.

From checking your Recycle Bin to using advanced recovery tools, you’ll learn 5 easy ways to restore deleted files and avoid future data loss. Don’t panic — we’ve got you covered!

WAY 1. Check the Recycle Bin

The Recycle Bin is where deleted files usually go (unless you used Shift + Delete). It’s the first place to check for missing files.

windows-recycle-bin

How to Restore Files:

  1. Open the Recycle Bin (find it on your desktop or search for it).
  2. Search or scroll to find your file.
  3. Right-click the file and select Restore to return it to its original location.

✅ Example: If you deleted a Word document from your “Documents” folder, it will go right back to that folder once restored.

WAY 2. Use File History to Restore Deleted Files

If you had File History enabled, you can restore deleted files from earlier backups.

How to Restore Files:

✔️ Option A: File Explorer

  1. Go to the folder where the file was.
  2. Right-click and select “Restore previous versions”.
  3. Choose a backup and click Restore.

✔️ Option B: File History Control Panel

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
  2. Click “Restore files from a current backup”.
  3. Select the file and click Restore.

Tip: If you don’t see any previous versions or backups, File History might not be enabled yet.

How to Turn On File History (If Not Already Set Up)

previous-versions-from-file-history
  1. Plug in an external drive or choose a network location.
  2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup.
  3. Click “Add a drive” and choose your backup location.
  4. Windows will now start backing up your files regularly.

Tip: Enabling File History now won’t help you recover files already deleted, but it will protect you moving forward.

WAY 3. Check OneDrive (If Enabled)

one-drive

If you’ve been using OneDrive — Microsoft’s cloud storage service — to sync your files, there’s a good chance that your deleted files may still be recoverable. OneDrive keeps a cloud backup of your files, and even if you delete something on your PC, it could still exist in your OneDrive Recycle Bin.

This is especially helpful if you were working on a file that was automatically synced to OneDrive and then accidentally deleted.

How to Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin:

🖥️ On Your PC (Using the OneDrive App):

  1. Open the OneDrive folder on your computer. You’ll find this in File Explorer under “OneDrive” in the sidebar.
  2. If you see the file you want to recover, simply drag it back to your local drive or right-click and select Restore.

🌍 Online (Using OneDrive Website):

  1. Go to onedrive.live.com and sign in with your Microsoft account.
  2. On the left-hand sidebar, click on “Recycle Bin”. This will show all files that have been deleted from OneDrive.
  3. Browse through the list and find the file you want to restore.
  4. Select the file and click the Restore button at the top of the page. The file will return to its original location in OneDrive.

Important: Files stay in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days (unless manually deleted or the bin is emptied), so act quickly.

Additional OneDrive Tips:

  • Restore multiple files: Check the boxes next to files and click Restore.
  • Shared files: Deleted shared files go to your OneDrive Recycle Bin and can be restored within 30 days.
  • Version History: Right-click a file to restore earlier versions via Version History.

Tip: OneDrive is enabled by default in Windows 10 for added protection. Set it up to prevent future file loss.

Also Interested👉 Can You Recover Permanently Deleted Files? Proven Solutions

WAY 4. Restore from Backup

If you’ve been proactive and set up Windows Backup, you may be able to restore your deleted files from a backup. This feature allows you to create periodic backups of your important files, folders, and even your entire system. It’s ideal for situations where files are lost or corrupted, and you don’t have access to them via the Recycle Bin or cloud storage.

Windows Backup creates system images or copies of your files at regular intervals, and you can use these backups to restore previous versions of your files.

windows-backup

How to Check and Restore from Windows Backup:

✔️ Option A: Using Control Panel

  1. Open Control Panel (Windows + R, type “control”, press Enter).
  2. Go to System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
  3. Click Restore my files, then search or browse to locate your deleted files.
  4. Select files to restore and click Restore.

✔️ Option B: Using Settings (Windows 10 Backup)

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
  2. Go to Update & Security > Backup.
  3. Click More options, then Restore files from a current backup.
  4. Browse backups and restore the desired files.

Important Notes:

  • Backup must have been set up before the file was deleted to use this method.
  • If backups weren’t set up, turn on File History for future protection.

What If I Don’t Have a Backup?

If you didn’t have a backup enabled and you can’t find the file in the Recycle Bin, you may still have some recovery options. Here’s a quick recap of what you can try:

  • Check OneDrive (if synced) for cloud-based backups.
  • Use File History (if available) to restore previous versions of files.
  • Use data recovery software like WinfrGUI to recover files that may have been permanently deleted.

WAY 5. Use a Recovery Tool (Try WinfrGUI)

If none of the above methods work, your files might still be recoverable using a recovery tool like WinfrGUI. It’s a free, user-friendly version of Microsoft’s official Windows File Recovery tool — no command line needed.

winfrgui-free

Why use WinfrGUI?

  • It’s free and easy to use
  • No tech skills required
  • Recovers documents, photos, videos, and more
Download WinfrGUI Free

How to use it:

  1. Download and install WinfrGUI from the official website.
  2. Open the app and choose the drive where the file was deleted.
  3. Select file types or folders to scan.
  4. Click Start Recovery.
  5. Browse the results and restore your files.

Quick Tip: Use it ASAP for better recovery chances — deleted files can get overwritten fast.

Tips to Prevent Future File Loss

  1. Turn on File History in your Windows backup settings.
  2. Use cloud storage like OneDrive or Google Drive for auto-sync.
  3. Keep a recovery tool installed, just in case.

Final Thoughts

Knowing where to find deleted files in Windows 10 can save you from a lot of stress. Start with the Recycle Bin, and if that doesn’t work, go through the other four methods in this list. Whether it’s a backup, OneDrive, or a tool like WinfrGUI, there’s a good chance you can get your files back.

Lost something important? Don’t wait — try one of these methods now and recover your data before it’s gone for good.

Also Read 👉How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files Windows 10 Using CMD